Frozen Tire Fill Testing and Misc Tire Questions

[rwinter]

I bought a tractor from Southern Georgia and now use it in Central Virginia. One day I awoke to find the tires frozen (had been down to 9 degrees that night; other nights, when going down to 14 degrees, they seemed OK the next day).

Anyway, when spring finally comes, I would like to test how cold it can be before the tires freeze again....I have no idea as to the fill that was used, but if it is alcohol, I would assume I can use a radiator tester and if it is calcium chloride or some salt based product, that I cannot, right? Any way to test the latter? Any way to figure out what kind of fill is in there now?

I am also wondering how to get more antifreeze goodies in....I know they have kits....with my backhoe arms, I am thinking I can raise the tires, remove the stems when the tire stem is in a high position, and then put in more fill...am I on track or do I have to rethink this?

Finally, and this seems like a really dumb question, but how can I tell if the tires have inner tubes or are tubeless? I am thinking they are tubeless because the stem is all metal and I figure I would see rubber if it was an inner tube. Is this right?

 

[Soundguy]

yes, no and maybee.

I've seen plenty of tubes that had a metal stem.

chances are if it froze solid.. it is not alcohol ( WW fluid ).

probbaly not cacl either.. or it would not have froze.. probbaly just water.

I'd add in some antifreeze and not fuss with it any more.

easy to slip a piece of fuel line over the stem after you remove the core, then use a pointy nose tipped bottle ( like comes on gear oil ) and then use that to add mix... just need enough to keep it from going solid... slushy is fine.

soundguy