Adding liquid ballast: Tube or Tube-less

[huntersprings]

I have a M4800 that I just bought and it doesn't have liquid in rear tires. I want to add liquid ballast but not sure if I should have tubes added or not. The cost w/o tubes is $170 and with tubes $388 for both rears. Is it worth the difference?

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

If you use beet juice (brand name rim guard) or RV antifreeze then no.
All others, and especially calcium chloride, I would say yes, way cheaper to by tubes than it is to by tires and rims!
Why do I cay tires and rims because it usually rusts and ruins both!

 

[tiredguy]

If you use beet juice (brand name rim guard) or RV antifreeze then no.
All others, and especially calcium chloride, I would say yes, way cheaper to by tubes than it is to by tires and rims!
Why do I cay tires and rims because it usually rusts and ruins both!

DITTO THAT!
Rim Guard brand fill is the only thing that won't cause damage to the tire rim combo that I know of period. Nasty nasty stuff smells like pig $hit but doesn't harm a thing on a tractor.
Al

 

[85Hokie]

I have a M4800 that I just bought and it doesn't have liquid in rear tires. I want to add liquid ballast but not sure if I should have tubes added or not. The cost w/o tubes is $170 and with tubes $388 for both rears. Is it worth the difference?

I have seen the RV antifreeze on sale for about 3 bucks a gallon, I think you could cut that 50-50 and still not freeze unless it got real low in temps. Most I have seen is -30 to -50 mix, I bought the filling thingy to do mine on my B7100 - but havent had the time ( ok - too lazy to do it yet! )

 

[skeets]

Yup antifreeze cut it 50/50 and down in Tn you will be good to go

 

[FTG-05]

I have a M4800 that I just bought and it doesn't have liquid in rear tires. I want to add liquid ballast but not sure if I should have tubes added or not. The cost w/o tubes is $170 and with tubes $388 for both rears. Is it worth the difference?

What are you having put in your tires and who is doing it for you?

I live about 8 miles west of you. I already have the tool to fill tractor tires if you want to borrow it and save some cash.

Good luck.

And welcome!

 

[coachgeo]

Just did some search and posted thread on the subject

http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=17546

 

[jeffb]

Yup antifreeze cut it 50/50 and down in Tn you will be good to go

Was reading and will post my recent experience and mix.

Just cut a tire with glass this weekend brush hogging and ruined tube. Dealer told me they would return my mix of 25% Methanol with 75% water (48 gallons total) if they repaired it. Local tire shop recommended by Dealer recovered 90% and refilled rest.

My buddy bought cases of Window Washer Fluid from O'Rielly Automotive and filled his rear tires with a 20 gallon electric sprayer, he did not dilute and I don't know if he had a tube.

Flats suck... $95 repair

 

[Cal270]

Had Rim Guard put into rear tires.
Dealer recommended tubes due to chance of it leaking between rim and tire.
I had them do it.
Per Rim Guard it was not require but dealer has had customers coming back with leaks. More of a nuisance than anything else.
I figure this is a one time investment.
What is interesting is that sugar beets are a major crop in my area and I was on a beet harvester with farmer friend this fall. Have to give Rim Guard credit for inventing this product...
There is a post on this link on leaking rims.
Use to use a ballast box. Ballasting tires seems easier and keeps the weight low. Makes fel more stable when used.

 

[huntersprings]

I had the Coop put in tubes and fill the rear tires with methanol/water; $388. The front end seemed light on a hill so decided to add liquid ballast to the front. Thanks FTG (Al) for offering your equipment to a stranger. Mighty friendly of you. Afer watching a few videos I realized I had most of the equipment needed and purchased the adapter at TSC and RV Antifreeze at Walmart. Job went well today. Pic shows process with my 4-wheeler being used to power the pump. Haven't tried it yet since I just did it today and very messy down here in Tennessee.