Re: Tire ballast choice?

[DSM123]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

What is the most economical and readily available tractor tire ballast options? I've read windshield washer fluid but that stuff runs around $2/gallon now. I'm also concerned about wheel rust and tire repair (plug) if/when needed.

 

[larryd314]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

I'm a firm believer in washer fluid. In the long run it's cheap and won't freeze unless stored in subfreezing temps for long periods
Front and rear.
larryd314

 

[s219]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

My dealer uses anti-freeze/water mixture. Said it has good anti-corrosion properties.

 

[creekbend]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

My dealer filled my rear tires with ECO-friendly antifreeze and water. He won't sell a tractor with FEL, without ballast in the Rears.

 

[DSM123]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

It looks like I'll need about 50-60 gallons per tire. Since we rarely see temps below 10F here I'm wondering if 10 gallons of washer fluid in 50 gallons of water would get the freezing point down to that range.

 

[Soundguy]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

most conomical and readily available?


water...


rust?

put some eco safe antifreeze in there. protects your engine from corrosion and won't freeze as easy.. works EXACTLY the same inside a tire.

tire repair: that's always an issue.

if you have a wet ballasted tire with no tube, then plugs are iffy, no matter what it is ballasted with. cacl, water, beet juice, anti freeze, ww fluid. etc.
many times you can plug them but the damaged area is impregnated with the ballast and the plug then forever weeps...

stick a tube in there and then it's more work. IE. you have to drain the ballast , pop tire half way off rim, patch tire, patch or repalce tube, and then refill tube.


no 100% perfect soloution wither way.

There is a foam load for a tire that is high density and not liquid. but it's spendy, and has it's own issues.

 

[ovrszd]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

It looks like I'll need about 50-60 gallons per tire. Since we rarely see temps below 10F here I'm wondering if 10 gallons of washer fluid in 50 gallons of water would get the freezing point down to that range.

I'm not sure of the dillution formula for Washer Fluid??

I used straight Washer Fluid. Bought it at the local Auto Dealership in 60 gallon barrels. Paid a $20 deposit on each barrel that was returned when I returned the barrels. I paid $210 for 180 gallons. Might check out that option.

As for corrosion. Was in on a conversation here not long ago about corrosion. A Member, can't remember his name, made a valid point. Your wheels are painted on the inside just like they are on the outside. Do you worry about the outside of your wheels corroding prematurely?? They are subject to all kinds of toxic materials.

 

[larryd314]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

I don't think I would dilute washer fluid.

 

[Soundguy]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

I don't think I would dilute washer fluid.

will weight more if you do dilute with water.... and as long as you keep the proper alcohol to water mix. it's still got some freeze protection.

on tires it's not like an engine block. only need 'proof vs solid' protection. slushy is just fine in a tire..

 

[Desert Panther]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

will weight more if you do dilute with water.... and as long as you keep the proper alcohol to water mix. it's still got some freeze protection.

on tires it's not like an engine block. only need 'proof vs solid' protection. slushy is just fine in a tire..

Thanks! I was thinking along the same lines, but I needed to hear this from somebody else to validate it as truth, LOL

I noticed your location as Florida, and have to wonder whether you've personally dealt with this subject in a nasty-cold climate; such as.... oh, anywhere but Florida?

 

[Soundguy]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

I noticed your location as Florida, and have to wonder whether you've personally dealt with this subject in a nasty-cold climate; such as.... oh, anywhere but Florida?

Question for you to answer...

do you have to douse yourself with gas then strike a match to know if you will burn?

do you have to chain yourself to 25 cinder blocks and jump off a pier to wonder if you will drown?

do you have to lay your hand flat on the pavement and smack it with a 2# drilling hammer to wonder if there will be pain?

or are these things self evident?

adding something heavier than 'air' to a tire makes them heavier.

adding a freezing point modifier to water lowers it's freeze point.

commercial auto AF mixes contain corrosion inhibitors to prevent/control rusting of metal in contact with treated water.

Which of those do you dispute? Just curious....

And yes.. I have loaded tires for ballast.. and yes I use (now ) antifreeze, not so much for the 2 weeks of winter florida has.. but the af has corrosion inhibitors in it.

 

[RedNeckRacin]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

I have been running beet juice in my tires in this pa winter down to -15 with no issues. Straight windshield washer fluid would be the cheapest option besides getting water and adding antifreeze to it. As long as the fluid is good for the coldest weather you could potentially see, I don't think there will be any issues.

 

[MarkV]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

Eco friendly anti freeze and water for 12 years now without a problem. Not hard to do yourself with a valve from Napa or many tractor dealers and a cheap drill operated transfer pump. It was 5 degrees here the other morning in N. Georgia and all was good. Do use the Eco friendly stuff, the stuff you use in the car is a painful death for animals that like its sweet flavor.

MarkV

 

[Soundguy]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

Eco friendly anti freeze and water for 12 years now without a problem. Not hard to do yourself with a valve from Napa or many tractor dealers and a cheap drill operated transfer pump. It was 5 degrees here the other morning in N. Georgia and all was good. Do use the Eco friendly stuff, the stuff you use in the car is a painful death for animals that like its sweet flavor.

MarkV

you can ( or could when i last checked ). get pg based af for automotive use.

i know amsoil used to sell it. i believe they still do.

AMSOIL Propylene Glycol Antifreeze and Engine Coolant - ANT

 

[plowking]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

My tractor has rimguard from the dealer,it smells like beet juice. I have to keep them inflated at or above 45 lbs. or they will leak around the bead. plowking

 

[SSdoxie]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

I'm running a 25% mix of Propylene-glycol/water in mine. Used tractor this winter in -5F temps with no problem.

 

[Soundguy]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

i'd be tubing a tire if it leaked expensive ballast at the bead...

 

[bigtiller]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

Well guys, I'm still stuck on post number 5.

It looks like I'll need about 50-60 gallons per tire. Since we rarely see temps below 10F here I'm wondering if 10 gallons of washer fluid in 50 gallons of water would get the freezing point down to that range.

Just a guess here, but I think that ratio would be too thin for any freeze/slush protection.

 

[Soundguy]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

if that were af i wouldn't worry much.. but ww fluid is a thin mix as it is

Well guys, I'm still stuck on post number 5.



Just a guess here, but I think that ratio would be too thin for any freeze/slush protection.

 

[RG1]

Re: Tire ballast choice?

My tractor has rimguard from the dealer,it smells like beet juice. I have to keep them inflated at or above 45 lbs. or they will leak around the bead. plowking

Rim Guard is beet juice. It is made by a company here in Michigan. My rears are loaded with RG too. It's been in them no for 10 years without a single problem. It is nice in that if you ever do get a leak, and your dog or some other pet or livestock animal were to lick it up, it doesn't hurt them. It is heavier by a bit than other mixes/formulations, but it does cost a little more than some of the home remedies. I guess it's all in what is most important to you as to which way you choose to go when loading your tires.