Ballast Filling rear tires

[David Jackson]

It seems as though the info about how to actually get ww fluid, anti freeze, etc. into the tire is a closely guarded secret.

The threads which supposedly lead to instruction are gone.

I have a tool which looks much like the NAPA fluid adapter for ballast but it appears that one end goes to a garden hose which will fill a tire using water pressure but these other fluids aren't commonly used in home water systems!

Is there some sort of pump a person should buy?

I can do mechanical work. I have taken engines in and out of cars and trucks. I have done a split on my Kubota L3350 DT. I can do lots of things but if no one shares then I have no idea how to physically put these chemicals into the tires.

I have seen others ask for specific help but never a real useful reply.

I am sure others would love to know so won't someone who knows how it is done please share?

Many thanks in advance.

David Jackson

 

[firemanpat2910]

the steps are as follows:: some one else will have to tell you how they put antifreeze in I use plain water.

Get valve stem tool,filling tool, air/liquid tire pressure gauge,water hose, beer, safety glasses,blocks under axle

rotate tire so that stem is at its highest point, remove valve core.It is very small, and has pressure behind it so be careful not to lose it.drink beer while waiting for pressure to escape.

hook the filling tool to the tire, screw the hose into the tool, turn on water. drink beer,when you need to burp so does the tire,so turn the water off, push the little button and let the air out.drink beer and turn water hose back on

repete as nessasary: when you get water coming out of the bleeder instead of air you are full enough.

find the valve core insert,and tool ,remove the filling adapter, reinstall the valve core, tight but not too tight, air up tires to recomended pressure using
a air/liquid pressure gauge drink beer and repete on other tire(s) clean up the mess, reroll the garden hose, find a spot to put the tools where you will have to search all over next time you need them, finish the beer off, and you are done

 

[Bedlam]

Another way.I use water and anti freeze. Mine is a slow process ,but super cheap.
If you take out the valve stem , and find a small diameter hose that will fit n in , but still have some room around it, so air can escape thats fine.I then took a funnel, and stuck the hose into the funnel. And used duck tape and electrical tape to wrap it around to seal it.
I then used a bungee cord to secure it to the roll bar. The idea is gravity feed.Turn the wheel to the top position, as the previous poster stated and block the wheel etc.
My tractor is in a heated basement , so I opted to used two gallons of antifreeze and water.
I just filled the funnel with the antifreeze, and let it drain. It takes awhile but eventually goes in.With the room around the small tube in the stem, you eliminate the need to burp.
As for getting the water in , you could do the same, but I took an old hose end, and ,using various other hose stubs and different diameter, reduced it down to the small hose. lots of tape etc to seal it.
Then I just fill it withe the garden hose. Keeping the pressure done from the hose with the spicket.
If your not using anti freeze then you just fill till it comes out the tire.
I have also used the funnel method for calcium and water. I mixed them in a bucket then gravity feed. It takes a long time .....
In a climate without the fear of freezing, Id use straight water.the hose method fills it fast, and its not harmful to anyone.Not as much weight as the calcium and water, but I don't think you'll be disappointed
Hope this gives some ideas.

 

[Ob1kubota]

Regardless of how you do it ( and I prefer calcium cloride solution ) because it won't hurt the tires, tubes or rims, as believed by some. For slush free operation in temperatures to -53 degrees F use 5 pounds of CaCL2 per 1 gallon of clean tap water. Gravity feed relieving trapped air as desired to achieve a 75% fill rate (maximum) to preserve 25% compression for relief. Air will compress, water solutions will not. The ratio will be achieve satisfactorly by this gravity method when you experience solution level with the top of the valve stem. Replace the core and inflate to recommended OEM pressure.

 

[Nuru]

I got mine filled with used anti-freeze and all the guys did was:
put the tire on the ground flat.
deflate
break the bead on the side on top
put a funnel (or hose if you have a pump) inbetween the tire and the rim
pump or pour the fluid in until it starts overflowing
pull out filling device
put in the air
get help putting the tire back on the tractor
use it!

 

[Nuru]

HI,

Here are some other ideas of what to fill your tires with.

1) Water - will freezed and can rust out
2) Water/antifreeze - won't freeze less likely to rust - can be pet unfriendly.
3) Water CaCl2 - won't freeze - about 50% more weight than water alone - will rust out your rims.
4) Windshield washer fluid - won't freeze, less likely to rust than pure water - lighter than pure water
5) Rim Guard or "Beet Juice" - google it - heavier than CaCl2, won't freeze - pet friendly -- price ?
6) Polyurethane foam fill - solid, can be bought from soft to hard- heavier than water - can't leak - cant rust - whoa momma! $$$ Spendy.

People rave about the rim guard, wasn't around last time I filled a tire. Mine have washer fluid.

jb

That 50% water antifreeze mix really should not rust.
Did not think about Rim Guard! If I fill my fronts, I might use that

 

[DVR]

That 50% water antifreeze mix really should not rust.
Did not think about Rim Guard! If I fill my fronts, I might use that

my manual says not to put any fluid in the front tire.
is it ok for some models but not for others?
i have a 7510 with r4's so it would not hold too much anyway.

i just use the fel for front weight.

 

[wrenchturner]

I do not claim to be an expert on filling tires but have done it a couple of times but here is my opinion. Calcium chloride is like sodium chloride (table salt) and will rust your rims eventually. I bought a tractor with it in the rims and had to replace both because the tubes were bulging through the rims. I loaded my tires with used antifreeze from automobiles by chucking a used powersteering pump into a drill ( screw a bolt in the shaft) then clamping a hose to the valve stem. I made sure I burped the tire when needed. I also helped load a tire by using an old auto AC compressor. You should find a garage that will give you their old antifreeze. Yes, I know it will kill animals that drink it, especially cats. I do not like the idea of using plain water because it will eventually rust the rims too. If you do not mind spending the money, it sounds like the rim guard is the best choice. Just my opinion.

 

[wrenchturner]

Another way one could fill tires is to use an electric sparyer. Just take the nozzle off the wand and clamp on it and the valve stem. Be sure to remove the schrader valve from the valve stem and relieve pressure as it builds up.

 

[simonmeridew]

The reason that people think that CaCl2 will rust the rims is that if you ever get a flat or slow leak in the tire tube, where you say, ok it isn't leaking much, I'll just add a little air every month or so, the leak is actually leaking at least part air and part "chloride", which is a salt, and quite corrosive to steel(not rubber). It took 50 years to happen on my Ford 8N, it's a 1951 model. As long as your tubes aren't leaking, don't worry about rust. If your rears don't have tubes in them, not sure what you can put in to prevent rust, or flats for that matter.
A saturated solution of CaCl2 and water is substantially heavier than just plain water(the salt fits into "holes" in between water molecules) so you get more weight in the tire than just plain water. Leave the air pocket at the top of the tire as you fill it to prevent "water hammer".
That being said, my new Kubota L4400 has rears filled with the beet stuff, from the dealer, who said it's not as heavy as chloride, but heavy enough. He was right.
My advice fwiw is have your dealer sell you the chloride(or beet stuff) and pay him an hours worth of labor to fill the tires and be done with it. You have to buy the chloride anyway and it's a pain to mix up.
simonmeridew