If using water for tire ballast...corrosion protection?

dwelshans · Mar 8, 2012

Many threads on ballast methods (including even to ballast or not)...not trying to start another on that issue.

Specifically, if using water for tire ballast (no freezing in my area), would you add something for corrosion protection? My tire volumes (75% fill) are about 55 gal rear/12 gal front.

Thanks for any advice.

radioman · Mar 8, 2012

best protection?

tubes. :thumbsup:

creekbend · Mar 8, 2012

dwelshans said:
Many threads on ballast methods (including even to ballast or not)...not trying to start another on that issue.

Specifically, if using water for tire ballast (no freezing in my area), would you add something for corrosion protection? My tire volumes (75% fill) are about 55 gal rear/12 gal front.

Thanks for any advice.

I have a L4400 and my owner's manual states: Front tires - Do not fill the front tires with liquid in order to maintain steering control. Add weights if needed for stability. Add enough ballast to maintain steering control and prevent tip over. Remove weight when no longer needed. Just a thought?

creekbend · Mar 8, 2012

dwelshans said:
Many threads on ballast methods (including even to ballast or not)...not trying to start another on that issue.

Specifically, if using water for tire ballast (no freezing in my area), would you add something for corrosion protection? My tire volumes (75% fill) are about 55 gal rear/12 gal front.

Thanks for any advice.

I have a L4400 and my owner's manual states: Front tires - Do not fill the front tires with liquid in order to maintain steering control. Add weights if needed for stability. Add enough ballast to maintain steering control and prevent tip over. Remove weight when no longer needed. Just a thought?

creekbend · Mar 8, 2012

The double post was not my fault. This has happened before, and others have stated that the same has happened to them.

rambler · Mar 8, 2012

I've had issues the past couple days too on this site wanting to double-post...

Rust requires oxygen for it to happen.

I've got a 1977 80 hp tractor with calcium chloride in all 4 tires, been that way all it's life. The rear tires are tubeless.

There is no corrosion. Because there is very, very little oxygen in the tires, it gets used up quick and that is the end of corrosion. Can't happen without a fresh supply of oxygen. The only corrosion is if the tire leaks and I don't bother to fix it and flush it. Then my lack of attention can create a lot of corrosion.

It would be likewise with just water. You won't have a problem. It's a non-issue.

--->Paul

LD1 · Mar 8, 2012

rambler said:
I've had issues the past couple days too on this site wanting to double-post...

Rust requires oxygen for it to happen.

I've got a 1977 80 hp tractor with calcium chloride in all 4 tires, been that way all it's life. The rear tires are tubeless.

There is no corrosion. Because there is very, very little oxygen in the tires, it gets used up quick and that is the end of corrosion. Can't happen without a fresh supply of oxygen. The only corrosion is if the tire leaks and I don't bother to fix it and flush it. Then my lack of attention can create a lot of corrosion.

It would be likewise with just water. You won't have a problem. It's a non-issue.

--->Paul

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Agreed.

About the only thing I can think of that you could add though would be some machine shop lubricating/cooling oil. It dissolves in water and has anti-bacterials in it and inhibits corrosion. BUT....the stuff would probabally cost more than anti-freeze (which also inhibits corrosion) or beet juice.

But as mentioned, as long as you dont have a leak that you neglect, you will be fine.

dwelshans · Mar 8, 2012

LD1 said:
:About the only thing I can think of that you could add though would be some machine shop lubricating/cooling oil. It dissolves in water and has anti-bacterials in it and inhibits corrosion. BUT....the stuff would probabally cost more than anti-freeze (which also inhibits corrosion) or beet juice.

Good idea...never thought of it. I have a 5 gal. bucket almost full of water soluble cutting oil in the garage (used on my old Bridgeport and Band Saw). Per instructions can be used at a rate of ~ 2%...that would require about 2.5 gallons for all my tires.

As for RimGuard...I was starting to lean that way (most weight/non-corrosive/safe). Closest dealer is 325 miles (one way). And they are building a new shop, so can not fill tires themselves till quote "sometime in August or later". But I can provide my own container and they will sell it for $3.50/gal. Just fuel to drive there, a container and RimGuard would run ~$750 and I fill them myself (whatever that might cost in rigging up something).

Any way, I am still reading and thinking and have yet to make up my mind. Just working out the water fill option.

Again, thanks for the idea.