Liquid for tractor tires

[twarren]

I have to top up the liquid calcium in one of my tractor tires, about 10 gallons I expect.
I have searched the net and the formula I found is to use 3 to 5 pounds of powered calcium chloride to one gallon of water.

Can someone knowledgeable on this process comment on my quantities?

Thanks.
Warren...........

 

[Rocky98Formula]

I think 3 lbs per gallon is all you need. You can probably get 4 lbs to per gallon to dissolve. Anything more and I find it hard to get it to dissolve completely.

A neighbor of mine has started using RV antifreeze and water. It's non-toxic and easy to work with but you don't get the extra weight.

 

[twarren]

Thanks Rocky. That kind of advice is exactly what I'm looking for.

Warren............

 

[Marcm157]

I used 5lbs to 1 gallon in my Kubota 450 tires - Worked well for me.

 

[roc_on_the_rocks]

What's the purpose of the calcium here?

 

[twarren]

Calcium chloride and water doesn't freeze and adds additional weight for same volume of water. This what I believe. An old process btw.
Warren..........

 

[ProCharger]

I have went away from using calcium. I had 2 wheels I had to replace due to its effect on the steel and this was using tubes. I guess I had holes and never knew it. Since then I have been having them filled with a solution similar to windshield washer fluid. Would love to go to foam filled on the fronts.

 

[ProCharger]

What's the purpose of the calcium here?

As twarren said, additional weight to the tractor providing a lower center of gravity. Example would be bailing hay on a hillside where you will be running across the hill at some point.

 

[Marcm157]

Without the additional weight of the calcium I couldn't even pick up a full bucket of Item 4 without tipping forward as soon as I moved. With the calcium I was good to go...

 

[mikegt4]

Twarren, Too bad you are not local to me, I have about 75 gallons that I haven't been able to even give away! I took it out of my Oliver Super55 after the tubes started to leak and the wheels started to quickly corrode like your car does when they put the same stuff on the street to melt snow/ice.

 

[twarren]

Well, there's the trouble Mike, advertise on eBay and sell by the gallon!

Warren....

 

[Streetbu]

I've had to replace many wheels that had calcium filled tires on them. Some farmers are using molasses. Won't freeze, and if you get a flat in the field won't destroy the soil.

 

[pacemade]

Good Thread! Curious what other liquid solutions can be used in tires? And could you use heavier tires to compromise for weight?

 

[carcajou]

Beet juice is the new standard for most farmers. Non toxic and safe on rims.

 

[csp]

Common fluids:

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/2009/01/comparing-types-of-liquid-tire-ballast/

 

[pacemade]

Common fluids:

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/2009/01/comparing-types-of-liquid-tire-ballast/

Very educational thank you!

 

[RPH]

Ya, beet juice is being used here in the thumb. It costs but saving rims brings that down over the long haul. Can you use metal wheel weights?

 

[Mr onetwo]

http://www.gemplers.com/tech/liquid-ballast.htm

 

[FTG-05]

Ya, beet juice is being used here in the thumb. It costs but saving rims brings that down over the long haul. Can you use metal wheel weights?

Can't get beet juice (i.e. Rimguard) here in SC TN, so I use 5 gallons of RV antifreeze mixed with water for my tractor tires. Filled both the rears and fronts.

I also added lead, steel and concrete wheel weights. 240 lbs on one side, 260 lbs on the other (more lead added).

 

[joe_padavano]

After having to replace several pricey rear rims on my JD850, I started using RV antifreeze instead of calcium chloride mix. The RV antifreeze isn't poisonous if it leaks. Yeah, not quite as dense, but I have a weight box for the three point if I need it.

 

[jim whitney]

Yes they say beet juice is the way to go . High sugar content, won,t freeze . We used to use propylene glycol in hydrants to winterize them ,basically sugar water also known as RV antifreeze .they,re using beet juice in Canada on the roads instead of calcium! Sweet!

 

[raffaelli]

Zero experience with this but I heard that molasses is used.

 

[mr57]

If you use the calcium, make sure you don't spray yourself in the face when filling.......Makes mace feel like Aqua velva.....

 

[RAYJAY]

Beet juice is the new standard for most farmers. Non toxic and safe on rims.

bingo beet juice is the best right now to use its also heaver than the calcium,

trade name is rimguard

http://www.rimguard.biz/

 

[nit2wn]

Another vote for the RV antifreeze. I just laid my tire on their sides and the filled them with as much as they would hold. Ol zero turn will flat tote the front tires on a hill side if you nail it. Each rear tire weighs right at 100 lbs. Not sure how long the pumps will take it, but I'll cross that bridge when they break.

 

[RAYJAY]

Another vote for the RV antifreeze. I just laid my tire on their sides and the filled them with as much as they would hold. Ol zero turn will flat tote the front tires on a hill side if you nail it. Each rear tire weighs right at 100 lbs. Not sure how long the pumps will take it, but I'll cross that bridge when they break.

make sure there filled as full as possible no sloshing in tire the sloshing is what will kill the pumps


http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q...A42AC9583261749629C3A42AC958326174962&fsscr=0

 

[nit2wn]

As much as I could cram in there. lol I had to drain one after it ended up with a cut. But I know they each weighted 99lbs or so on a set of bathroom scales, so I'll aim for that on the refill.

 

[FTG-05]

You should only fill them to around the 75% full or so. You need the 25% for air so that the tire can compress as needed. Liquid does not compress.

75% full is right about where the valve stem is when it's at the 12:00 position. Filling them while still mounted on the tractor is a simple task with the $15 air fill tool from Gempler's or Tractor Supply: http://www.gemplers.com/product/AQF1/Quick-Fill-Tractor-Tire-Attachment

 

[Mr onetwo]

I have this one....works great http://www.gemplers.com/product/7K/Air-Liquid-Adapter-Kit