Tires Fluid in tires - Question

[tillboy2001]

I've heard of people putting something like RV anti-freeze in their tires instead of buying wheel weights. I have a zero turn mower that I'd like to try this on...but I'm curious to find out what works best for the life of the tires and rim. Does the anti-freeze harm the rubber in the tire or cause any rust on the steel rim/wheel? I'm looking for something that is cost effective and something I can leave in and not worry about replacing it...or not for a long time anyway. The wheel I'm looking at putting it in is size 24 x 12.00-12 just so you know.

Thanks!

 

[JIGBUILDER]

Rim Guard. This will give you more approx 11 lbs per gallon for ballest.

I've use windshield washer fluid for the last 25 years in my tractors/loader tires. The rears on my current tractor take a barrel each and my tractor tire dealer always has it in stock for area ranchers/farmers/construction folks.

RV anti freeze is expensive per barrel and about the same weight as windshield fluid. I use RV antifreeze in the RV but have never tried it for ballest. It may need a rust inhibiter.

Do a google on the subject along with other opinions to your question.

 

[Couple of Achers]

I've heard of people putting something like RV anti-freeze in their tires instead of buying wheel weights. I have a zero turn mower that I'd like to try this on...but I'm curious to find out what works best for the life of the tires and rim. Does the anti-freeze harm the rubber in the tire or cause any rust on the steel rim/wheel? I'm looking for something that is cost effective and something I can leave in and not worry about replacing it...or not for a long time anyway. The wheel I'm looking at putting it in is size 24 x 12.00-12 just so you know.

Thanks!

My brother-in-law and his Dad have a mowing business and they too wanted to add some weight to their tires. The most cost effective solution they found was windshield washer fluid. It was less then 1/2 the price of the RV anti-freeze. It many not weigh quite as much as the anti-freeze, but was a good solution for them. It takes more than you think to fill a tire of that size so cost was an issue for them. It obviously will not freeze, and as far as I know, they still have it in their tires with not adverse affects.

 

[John_in_TN]

I have windshield washer fluid (WINTER TYPE) in my lawn tractor tires which are 24 x 12.00-12 ags. I put ten gallons in each tire, which added between 75 & 80 pounds to each. I have seen charts that claim this size tire can hold up to 12 gallons. Mine has been in for about 3 1/2 years now with no problem. It sure has made the machine much more stable on slopes (my main purpose) and has also improved pulling traction.

 

[Couple of Achers]

I have windshield washer fluid (WINTER TYPE) in my lawn tractor tires which are 24 x 12.00-12 ags. I put ten gallons in each tire, which added between 75 & 80 pounds to each. I have seen charts that claim this size tire can hold up to 12 gallons. Mine has been in for about 3 1/2 years now with no problem. It sure has made the machine much more stable on slopes (my main purpose) and has also improved pulling traction.

Up until now, I never knew there was summer or winter washer fluid. And I am old. Up here, it is just washer fluid. "I learn more on this site by accident, then elsewhere by design!"

 

[tillboy2001]

Thanks everyone. Looks like I have my answer

 

[Soundguy]

Rim Guard. This will give you more approx 11 lbs per gallon for ballest.

I've use windshield washer fluid for the last 25 years in my tractors/loader tires. The rears on my current tractor take a barrel each and my tractor tire dealer always has it in stock for area ranchers/farmers/construction folks.

RV anti freeze is expensive per barrel and about the same weight as windshield fluid. I use RV antifreeze in the RV but have never tried it for ballest. It may need a rust inhibiter.

Do a google on the subject along with other opinions to your question.

RV antifreeze should be fine.. it's commonly used and non toxic if spilt. Usually uoi can find it on sale at napa as an after-season special for anywhere from 2.99 - 4.99 per gallon. just mix it with water to get a lil mor ethan 8# per gallon ( depending on mix ), plus freeze protection... next to cacl.. it's probably the cheapest non toxic, freeze-protected ballast mix you can get.. plus won't kill grass like cacl will.. and contrary to popular belief.. rimguard WILL kill plants in the area of the spill unless you completely wash it away.. btdt...

soundguy

 

[John_in_TN]

Jerry,
In Minnesota there may only be one type, but here in Tennessee a Summer grade without anti-freeze properties is commonly available. I never noticed it here until a few years ago. You really have to be careful here this time of year when stores are trying to get rid of any remaining summer stock.

 

[Soundguy]

ditto that.. got to be carefull with WW fluid..

soundguy

 

[sparker133]

I have my tires loaded with beat juice. The dealer did it he says it does not freeze and is non corrosive and is eco-safe of it leaked. I don't know the weight per gallon though.

It wasn't very costly either about 18o bucks.

I also have a buddy the filled his with Washer fluid. Seems like a good ideal easy to find and cheap.

 

[CowwFace]

Hey PZ,

I used RV antifreeze for my rear's on my Kioti. I put 10 gallons of RV antifreeze in each tire then topped it off with just water.. It's been down to 9 degrees F here and no freezing so far. You can get a special tool to add fluid, but I just put a ziptie around my valve stem (VERY TIGHT) and pushed it into the tire to make room for a 5/16" hose.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/1753394-post12.html

Phill

 

[tillboy2001]

I was going to ask next on how to fill the tire. I was thinking of setting both beads (both sides of the new tires) normally by filling with air. Then lay the wheel flat on the ground and break a small part of the bead that's on top....then dumping the fluid in that way. Is that how everyone else is doing it?

I don't really need to worry about freezing so much...the mower stays nice and cozy in my basement I have a walk-out double door basement since I live on the side of a hill. But, I'd put the anti-freeze washer fluid in anyway.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I just got done doing WW fluid in one of my tractors last Friday. I used my neighbors lawn sprayer, you know the kine you pull behind. I got the WW fluid in bulk from my local oil supplier for $.94 per gallon. I got 55 gals of the -20 stuff and using the adapter from TSC it took about 1 hour to install. Just jack up the tractor, remove the shrader valve, and start pumping releasing pressure as you install every 3 gallons or so.

Chris

 

[tillboy2001]

Oh, so tractor supply company stores sell an adapter for this to put it in through the valve stem? Cool.

 

[tractorski]

I went a different route to add weight to my commercial mower. I fabbed up a bracket that went into my rear mounted grass catcher. I got some scrap metel from the junk yard and welded it together. It is held on with hitch pins, remove the pins and off it comes. It weighs about 80-90 lbs, but because it is so far back, the gain in stability is far greater than the same weight in the tires.

 

[Soundguy]

I was going to ask next on how to fill the tire. I was thinking of setting both beads (both sides of the new tires) normally by filling with air. Then lay the wheel flat on the ground and break a small part of the bead that's on top....then dumping the fluid in that way. Is that how everyone else is doing it?

I don't really need to worry about freezing so much...the mower stays nice and cozy in my basement I have a walk-out double door basement since I live on the side of a hill. But, I'd put the anti-freeze washer fluid in anyway.

dang.. that's the hard way.. hardest I've heard of.. ever...

they make a burp tool for about 4-10$ depending on where you get it ( napa / tsc.. etc. )

screws onto a tire valve.. and has a hose fitting.. pretty easy way to rig up filling a tire..

soundguy

 

[tillboy2001]

Is this the part you guys are talking about?
Adapter Air Water - 1170832 | Tractor Supply Company

So how do you connect up, say a 1 gallon wiper fluid to this to fill the tire? Looks like it's made for a garden hose.

 

[Soundguy]

it IS made for a garden hose.

you have to rig your own ballast-mix adapter. most of us use a piece of rubber fuel line slid over the tire valve stem with core removed, then either use a funnle, or save the pointy end off a gear oil quart jug.. I was able to screw that end right on -many- different gallon sized jugs that had af in them.. etc... then just hang and poke a hole inthe bottom of the jug for a vent.. or invert periodically.. etc.

after the ballast mix is in.. then ya add the water hose.. then just hit the burp button now and then to let the built up air out.

soundguy

 

[jwstewar]

Or you could use a pump like this: Marine Pump. I've actually heard pretty good things about this pump. I just received a flyer and they have it for $29.99. I used my Dad's 110v pump. I put 23 gallons in each of my rear tires on my NH.

 

[tillboy2001]

The more I think about this, for a commercial zero turn mower wheel (24x12-12)...wouldn't it be pretty simple to just break the bead a little with the wheel on it's side and dump in the fluid? Seems like it would be a piece of cake. After filling to the level you want, just take the pry bar out (or whatever you were holding the bead down with) and fill it to the pressure you need with air. I'm not talking about a large tractor wheel...this is a relatively small tire/wheel I'm talking about.