Tractor Tire Ballast

[andre3k]

I just purchased a new Bobcat Tractor with a FEL. I want to get the rear tires filled but the dealer won't do it. Can anyone advise of a place in Houston or Jasper that will fill the tires for me and the approximate cost.

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[tonyb3513]

Lansdowne-Moody in Splendora should do it. I'd give them a call first.

[ramrod]

Tractor supply sells the adapter for the valve stem to fill with water.

[Jamvo]

Tractor supply sells the adapter for the valve stem to fill with water.

Yes, but use windshield washer fluid to keep from freezing.

[dclifton]

Just do it yourself. You can order an adapter just about anywhere online. Water hose and anti freeze

[andre3k]

Will water eventually cause the wheel to rust away?

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[Reel cajun]

not if you keep wheel in in total water. Turn valve stem to 2 O’clock and fill with water. This will keep wheel submersed in water.

[Reel cajun]

Just stay away from calcium chloride mixture for ballast. It will eat up wheels.

[SaltwaterSlick]

Will water eventually cause the wheel to rust away?

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not if you keep wheel in in total water. Turn valve stem to 2 O’clock and fill with water. This will keep wheel submersed in water.

NOT true.


Unless you completely fill the wheel with water/antifreeze and pressurize with it and NO air, you will get oxidation and rust anywhere the water comes in contact with the steel wheel. The degree of corrosion will largely depend on how much contact and how much the tractor is used. The air will always be churned up when the tractor is in motion.


IF you are putting the water in the tires for "ballast" to offset picking up heavy loads with the FEL, that's not the best place to put the weight. It has a greater effect if hung off the back of the tractor to create a load moment. If you have a box blade or land plane, you can add weight to them easily by adding a rack to put cement blocks, iron ingots, really anything heavy to counterbalance the FEL load. This would be much less detrimental to wear and tear on your tractor. Of course, there's always rear wheel weights too that would be better than water...

[RWB]

I would figure out if you need it or not first. If it's 2 wheel drive the answer will probably be yes. If 4wd get a big scoop of dirt with no attachment on the back and see if if feels light in the rear when driving around. If not I wouldn't worry about it. If it does fill with water and antifreeze and don't worry about it.

[Stan R]

I have a 75 HP Kubota. The dealer filled them 8 years and no issues. I think they do 80% full?

[Arrowsmith]

Up here in the Midwest the farmers us Rim Guard beet juice ballast.

Beet juice is heavier than water (weighing about 11 pounds per gallon) and resists freezing down to -35 degrees F. Even better, it's not corrosive or toxic, avoiding the major cons associated with other liquid tire ballast.

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[Bowtech38]

We do water and antifreeze weekly on new tractors. We do at least 1 gallon uncut antifreeze and fill to the top of the rim. Never had a problem yet.Bert juic3 would be great if you can find a place down here to do it.

[Gunnyart]

I made a video of my setup

https://youtu.be/CP5HfwycymY

[camoclad]

Up here in the Midwest the farmers us Rim Guard beet juice ballast.

Beet juice is heavier than water (weighing about 11 pounds per gallon) and resists freezing down to -35 degrees F. Even better, it's not corrosive or toxic, avoiding the major cons associated with other liquid tire ballast.

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Schrute Farms in Scranton PA sells a real good beet juice