RV antifreeze in New FRONT Tires???

[Pepsiboy]

Well, budget FINALLY said I could not wait any longer for this. After 9 years, and a LOT of weather checks in the front tire sidewalls, I just could not delay any longer. Both front tires were getting slow leaks that Slime would not keep up with. (Yeah, I know, Slime is terrible stuff.) SOOOOO, the girl got some new shoes ! ! ! It was a bear to get them changed, but I wasn't in a rush to get it done.

Any thoughts about putting RV antifreeze in the 18X8.5-10 fronts? I don't like the idea of Slime, and MOST of the thorn vines have disappeared. Yeah, beet juice probably would be heavier, but nobody handles it around here. Thoughts and suggestions appreciated.

Dave

 

[torch]

I put a 50% fill of windshield washer anti-freeze in my fronts. Gives them a bit more traction without loading the axle.

 

[helomech]

The manual on my MX5100 says not to put water in the front tires.

 

[coachgeo]

The manual on my MX5100 says not to put water in the front tires.

a review of threads in here will come up with several debates on this topic

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I don't know how much weight your going to get on it with those small tires, I guess it depends on how much they hold.
I have the fronts on my L foam filled and it does make a huge difference on traction.

 

[coachgeo]

I don't know how much weight your going to get on it with those small tires, I guess it depends on how much they hold.
I have the fronts on my L foam filled and it does make a huge difference on traction.

Solid foam like spray insulation..... or a flexible foam/Gel?

 

[torch]

I don't know how much weight your going to get on it with those small tires, I guess it depends on how much they hold.

Good point. My B7100 has slightly larger tires (20.5-8.00x10). A 50% fill worked out to 2.5 gallons each, or about 50lbs total. The chart I have does not list an 18x8.5-10 but an 18-8.5-8 would hold 2 gallons each for a 50% fill or 3 gallons each for a 75% fill so you would likely be adding 45 to 65 lbs depending on how full you go.

 

[helomech]

a review of threads in here will come up with several debates on this topic

I don't see a reason for it, but the manual says no water in front. Just passing along what Kubota says.

 

[Pepsiboy]

I don't see a reason for it, but the manual says no water in front. Just passing along what Kubota says.

helomech,

YES, I know that I should NOT use WATER, as it will FREEZE. That is why I asked about RV antifreeze. Used undiluted, it will not freeze, it is non-corrosive, it is heavier than water, and it is friendly to the environment IF it should develop a leak. I'm just trying to get a little extra weight up front when I have the rear tiller or the tank sprayer on the TPH. Also would like a little better traction on the front tires when mowing on my steep hills. IF I happen to run over a thorn vine, I would also like to see the new leak BEFORE the tire pressure goes so low that the tire gets spun off the rim like it has happened in the past.

As I said in an earlier post, I would like to use beet juice, BUT, no one around here handles it. The only place that does the foam (hard or soft) around here wants $150 per tire of that size to do it. That is WAY over budget on my VERY fixed income. Just getting the tires was a stretch for us.

Again, thanks to all for the tips and advice. I will post here when I decide what to do and try to get pictures to show.

Dave

 

[helomech]

helomech,

YES, I know that I should NOT use WATER, as it will FREEZE. That is why I asked about RV antifreeze. Used undiluted, it will not freeze, it is non-corrosive, it is heavier than water, and it is friendly to the environment IF it should develop a leak. I'm just trying to get a little extra weight up front when I have the rear tiller or the tank sprayer on the TPH. Also would like a little better traction on the front tires when mowing on my steep hills. IF I happen to run over a thorn vine, I would also like to see the new leak BEFORE the tire pressure goes so low that the tire gets spun off the rim like it has happened in the past.

As I said in an earlier post, I would like to use beet juice, BUT, no one around here handles it. The only place that does the foam (hard or soft) around here wants $150 per tire of that size to do it. That is WAY over budget on my VERY fixed income. Just getting the tires was a stretch for us.

Again, thanks to all for the tips and advice. I will post here when I decide what to do and try to get pictures to show.

Dave

I just used water as a generic term. In my Kubota maintenance book it shows adding liquid to the rear tires, but does not want liquid added to front tires. I don't know why this is, but it is a caution in the manual. I was going to add liquid to my front tires till I saw this, and my dealer refused to add to the front tires. They filled the back tires for me.

 

[D2Cat]

Dave, if you can wait until Spring, your local Wal-Mart usually has the winter windshield washer fluid (-20) for $1 gal. But then no more then you need, probably not worth waiting.

 

[Pepsiboy]

Dave, if you can wait until Spring, your local Wal-Mart usually has the winter windshield washer fluid (-20) for $1 gal. But then no more then you need, probably not worth waiting.

D2Cat,

I just checked out the RV antifreeze while we were there for something else. (Forgot to take cash along. DUHHH.) I can get the 6 gallons needed for both tires for less than $20. Pluses are it is rated for -50 and weighs about 1/2 pound more than WS fluid per gallon. Next trip we will be getting it, provided I don't have another brain fart.

Thanks to all for the tips and advice.

Dave

 

[85Hokie]

D2Cat,

I just checked out the RV antifreeze while we were there for something else. (Forgot to take cash along. DUHHH.) I can get the 6 gallons needed for both tires for less than $20. Pluses are it is rated for -50 and weighs about 1/2 pound more than WS fluid per gallon. Next trip we will be getting it, provided I don't have another brain fart.

Thanks to all for the tips and advice.

Dave

Guys - remember one thing about RV antifreeze......IT WILL freeze! -50 stuff will start to crystalize at 10F, and then it starts going downhill from there!

The -50 is for BURSTing! SO if when it gets cold.....er.....this stuff will freeze a little below normal freezing, but will NOT expand or burst "pipes" until -50!

Yes, you'll have a nice slushy around zero, and if the tires are moving, it might make a little sound as the slush turns over , but I would hate to see a tractor running around in 0 degrees or lower....and thump - thump - thump!!!

AND do not cut it if you want it to freeze sooner!

 

[torch]

The -50 is for BURSTing! SO if when it gets cold.....er.....this stuff will freeze a little below normal freezing, but will NOT expand or burst "pipes" until -50

Good point. Windshield washer fluid stays liquid to the rated temperature.

 

[thebicman]

Why cheap out on filling tires when there is a product designed for tires. Just had my rears filled on a B2601 and it was $150.00 taxes in. The stuff around here is from Protek and is corn based. Also has a higher weight per pound then all the other products.

 

[torch]

Google found it -- ProtekTB made by Denchem in Cornwall, Ont. Can't find any dealers advertising it on the web, so it may be hard to come by, especially in the US. No MSDS on their website for that product, so maybe it's new. Where did you find it?

 

[thebicman]

Local JD dealer in east end of Ottawa. There's other sources for similar products, this just happens to be what they use.

 

[JeffL]

Any idea why Kubota does not recommend fluid fill in front tires?
Weight in the tire vs on the frame sounds better; front or rear. My guess-ta-mation is steering dynamics of the tire would change. Anybody have experience with front fill? Jeff

 

[Pepsiboy]

Any idea why Kubota does not recommend fluid fill in front tires?
Weight in the tire vs on the frame sounds better; front or rear. My guess-ta-mation is steering dynamics of the tire would change. Anybody have experience with front fill? Jeff

JeffL,

I don't know if it will change steering dynamics or not. talked to dealer and they tell me that Kubota recommend loading the front tires on anything smaller than the "M" series. I'm still going to give it a go and see what happens. I have changed my mind about what to use, though. I found -20 degree W/S fluid at the local Bumper to Bumper store for $1.50 a gallon. 6 gallons for $9.00 to fill both fronts to 75% to 80%. Will probably do it net week.

Dave

 

[JeffL]

That's interesting. Size of tractor vs loading/ not loading. Maybe a front tire load issue. Compressible fluid % vs un-compressible fluid would change the pressure rise as load is increased. Maybe not an issue in small tractors and is in larger ones. Again all speculation. Jeff