LIQUID TIRE BALLAST - WHAT FLUID TO CHOOSE

[Garycw]

AxleHub: I lived South of Minneapolis (Lakeville) from 1967 thru 1990, so am VERY familiar with your area (had friends in Eau Claire). My daughter and her family live in Woodbury, Mn., but I get out there very seldom. My life is split Spring thru Fall, between Cape Cod, and Nova Scotia (tractors live on Cape Cod), Winter in Florida. At my age, it is the best that I can do. Will pick up my completely repainted 1988 Ford 1920 FEL today. It looks like NEW!

Sound like you stay on the move too. I'm between Ohio Kentucky and Florida Sometimes it's hard to remember what's where.
Look forward to seeing the pics of the repainted tractor.
Today I'll be removing 2 gal from each front tire in the 1025. Then adding wheel spacers to rear. The front R4 tires were making ruts in & tearing up yard. Will load ballast in rear tires after 50 hr service

 

[AxleHub]

Another thing to note, regardless of the fluid you use, you should replace rubber stems with the metal variety. I've seen several posts on forums that rim guard dissolved the internal cement on valve stems after 5 years or so, causing messy leaks. The rim guard site warns against this too, and says it can happen with any type of fluid. They say it is due to lower quality tubes and valve stems these days. It would be worth the upgrade when you fill, rather than a repair later.

Great suggestion . . I'll do it.

 

[ruko]

Some RV antifreeze is made with Propylene Glycol, and some is made with a combination of Ethanol and Methyl isobutyl ketone. I bought some Peak RV antifreeze recently and was surprised at the strong solvent odor. Peak makes both versions listed above. Apparently I got the Ethanol blend (threw away the container before researching). It smells like shellac.

Probably not a good idea to use the RV stuff with methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK). This is a very strong solvent and is used in rubber based solvent adhesives. MIBK is a solvent for many types of rubber.

 

[theg]

I had slime in the tires due to mesquite tree/bushes and added water. No issues YET. Sure if I have to change tires it will be a mess.

 

[n3ckf]

I used the propylene glycol variety that Tractor Supply had on sale when i got it. (in fact i got too much so i still have about 14 gallons of it, if you were nearby i'd give it to you... )

 

[CalG]

It's a wonder that Ag tires are not filled with used engine oil. At 7 lbs per gallon, and it never freezes. One would think it a natural.

Heck, every tractor owner has too much of it.

 

[oosik]

I had the dealer fill my tires with RimGuard. 68 gallons/748# per tire. This was in 2009 when I bought the tractor new. Total cost was $1.65 per gallon - $225.

No charge for filling the tires. I can see why somebody might choose an alternate if RimGuard was that expensive.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

My dealer says they use a methanol/water mix to fill tires. Cost is $100.00. They fill them 7/8th's of the way up.

How's this sound?

 

[Oldoak]

My dealer says they use a methane/water mix to fill tires. Cost is $100.00. They fill them 7/8th's of the way up.

How's this sound?

I believe you meant Methonal. Windshield washer fluid. That is what my dealer uses. He doesn't leave a new tractor leave his premises without filling the rear tires with it. It doesn't weigh as much as RimGuard but is also less costly and not near as messy should you get a tire puncture.

 

[GirlWhoWantsTractor]

I believe you meant Methonal. Windshield washer fluid. That is what my dealer uses. He doesn't leave a new tractor leave his premises without filling the rear tires with it. It doesn't weigh as much as RimGuard but is also less costly and not near as messy should you get a tire puncture.

Yes, duh! (Thank you; fixed it)

That's good to know that your dealer does it too. How full does he fill them?

 

[Oldoak]

How full? My dealer indicated with his hand on the tire and I would say about what your dealer would fill to, leaving just enough room for an air cushion.

 

[Texasmark]

I use washer fluid. However, on running low pressures, below 10 psig, weights work better at keeping the tire on the rim.....ref 12x16.5 on my 2400 replacements.

 

[prof fate]

How full? My dealer indicated with his hand on the tire and I would say about what your dealer would fill to, leaving just enough room for an air cushion.

they are to be filled to the top of the rim - above the axle side of the rim. when you check air be sure the valve stem is UP! LOL

Beet Juice is the 'best' from all i've heard and read -but not cheap. I think that's the rim guard product.
Neighbor has calcium in his (very old) farmall. Tore a tire and had them come to change it - $350 charge. Have to pump out the fluid first, then pump it back in. Time consuming.

The tractor I just bought they put windhshield washer fluid in it.

I would think RV antifreeze would be environmentally good, but I guess the cost would be up there a ways.

As for oil, I'm thinking it would work, but if you have to service the tire my goodness, what a mess!

 

[CincyFlyer]

I believe you meant Methonal. Windshield washer fluid. That is what my dealer uses. He doesn't leave a new tractor leave his premises without filling the rear tires with it. It doesn't weigh as much as RimGuard but is also less costly and not near as messy should you get a tire puncture.

And I believe that you meant methanol, which is the stuff used in windshield washer fluid (along with water and some other stuff.)

 

[Oldoak]

And I believe that you meant methanol, which is the stuff used in windshield washer fluid (along with water and some other stuff.)

Yep, although I misspelled it, GirlWhoWantsTractor got it right. She knew what I meant.

 

[oosik]

I have Rimguard in my tires. Before I would use oil - I'd want to check out a couple things. What do the tire manufacturers have to say about the use of oil with their tires?? Unless you have a readily available source - new oil makes Rimguard look cheap. AND - be certain that there is a method to service the oil-filled tire. Maybe the dealers that would work with RV antifreeze, windshield washer fluid or regular antifreeze wouldn't want to get involved with oil.

You figure how much oil would cost - - each of my rear tires takes 68 gallons of "something" to fill them to the 75% level.

 

[radios1]

I believe you meant Methonal. Windshield washer fluid. That is what my dealer uses. He doesn't leave a new tractor leave his premises without filling the rear tires with it. It doesn't weigh as much as RimGuard but is also less costly and not near as messy should you get a tire puncture.

that's a hypnotic. Methonal Dictionary Definition and More from Dictionary.net it's interesting if it's so freely available.. many people use plumbing antifreeze, it's non-toxic..

 

[radios1]

I have Rimguard in my tires. Before I would use oil - I'd want to check out a couple things. What do the tire manufacturers have to say about the use of oil with their tires?? Unless you have a readily available source - new oil makes Rimguard look cheap. AND - be certain that there is a method to service the oil-filled tire. Maybe the dealers that would work with RV antifreeze, windshield washer fluid or regular antifreeze wouldn't want to get involved with oil.

You figure how much oil would cost - - each of my rear tires takes 68 gallons of "something" to fill them to the 75% level.

oil is very bad for rubber, and Methanol is toxic, but tastes and smells good to animals, but, it will kill them..

 

[GAT57]

A couple years ago I bought Rimgard for $2.00 a gallon but I had to bring my barrels. Price around because prices differ substantially. Mine came from a big farm that fills tires as a sideline business.

Where did you get the RimGuard? I am from Waynesboro... allen at tennesseeland dot com