Homemade Ballast

[Dae06]

I hope someone smarter than me can answer this question:

Many people use windshield washer fluid (WWF) as ballast in their tires. WWF is basically water and methanol (could rubbing alcohol or ISO-propyl be safe to replace methanol and not harm the rims or tires)? This way we could make your own ballast?

It gets down to -30 F here sometimes, so by making my own, I could increase the alcohol content to any amount I desire. I'm not sure if any of this would be cost effective, but I don't have the knowledge or the time to figure out all of the issues that could affect the outcome.

But, if we could fill 5 gallon pails with water (basically free) add certain amount of alcohol and use this for ballast, it might save some running around looking for good deals of bulk amounts WWF and possibly some money. Then again, It might be easier just to buy WWF.

I would love to hear what you think of this option for tire ballast!

 

[coachgeo]

some search seems to show wwf is approx 39% methanol

 

[D2Cat]

I checked on mixing my own a while ago. Even talked to a fella in your neck of the woods that sells the methanol. Decided not to mess with a flammable liquid.

Ended up buying WWF at WalMart in the Spring (it was on sale for $1 a gallon).

 

[BXHoosier]

I have read that mixing dish soap with water keeps it from freezing. I am not sure if it is good to -30 F though.

 

[Dae06]

I checked on mixing my own a while ago. Even talked to a fella in your neck of the woods that sells the methanol. Decided not to mess with a flammable liquid.

Ended up buying WWF at WalMart in the Spring (it was on sale for $1 a gallon).

Yes, methanol is a bit scary, I was wondering if you could replace it with ISO-propyl without risk of damaging tires or rims.

 

[Creature Meadow]

Yes, methanol is a bit scary, I was wondering if you could replace it with ISO-propyl without risk of damaging tires or rims.

I work with a couple of guys who have their PHD's in chemistry, I consult with them next time in passing. One likes to share his knowledge in a good way so I'm sure he will enlighten me and I can pass along the info.

I use methanol quiet a bit in my work for performing density checks on various materials. I keep it stored in a flammable storage cabinet and disposing of it once compromised is a pain.

 

[Dae06]

I work with a couple of guys who have their PHD's in chemistry, I consult with them next time in passing. One likes to share his knowledge in a good way so I'm sure he will enlighten me and I can pass along the info.

I use methanol quiet a bit in my work for performing density checks on various materials. I keep it stored in a flammable storage cabinet and disposing of it once compromised is a pain.

Thanks, I appreciate that?

 

[Creature Meadow]

Thanks, I appreciate that?

I talked to one of the Phd's and after 30 minutes discussing we came up with no real good alternative. Ethanol added to water could be used but he said the cost of it "pure" would be expensive.

We discussed all the different possible solutions and cost associated with each along with hazards should the tire leak.

We settled on beet juice being the best from a cost side and safety side should a leak occur.

Not much help here but we tried.

 

[Creature Meadow]

Almost forgot he said you could use sugar and water but that too would be costly buying enough to mix with water to prevent freezing. Not know about gallons you would need in your tires we did not do any calculations on ratios of the mix to see real cost.

 

[bearbait]

I checked on mixing my own a while ago. Even talked to a fella in your neck of the woods that sells the methanol. Decided not to mess with a flammable liquid.

Ended up buying WWF at WalMart in the Spring (it was on sale for $1 a gallon).

I ended up going with WWF myself. Home depot puts it on sale here in the fall for cheap so after some research it the cheapest way to go for me.

 

[D2Cat]

Bearbait, the people in the checkout line were more curious than the clerk. I bought 66 gallons in one store and my wife got 22 in another. At the store I was at they put the gallons back in the cardboard boxes, but them on a dolly and pushed it out to my truck!

I asked the manager why they had it on sale. He said folks will not buy winter WWF in the summer! It show the ignorance of the herd.

 

[Dae06]

I just found some -25F on sale for $1.29/gallon. I might bite the bullet and buy it. I don't see any notes as to a limit that I can buy. We'll see.

 

[bearbait]

Bearbait, the people in the checkout line were more curious than the clerk. I bought 66 gallons in one store and my wife got 22 in another. At the store I was at they put the gallons back in the cardboard boxes, but them on a dolly and pushed it out to my truck!

I asked the manager why they had it on sale. He said folks will not buy winter WWF in the summer! It show the ignorance of the herd.

Lol, yep, I just told them I had a drinking problem.

 

[WFM]

I had the dealer load my tires before my tractor was delivered. I asked him what they used ? He said beet juice. At -20* below. I have a white frosty tire from the ground up to just over the top of the wheel. A clear frosty line showing the level of the juice.

 

[ipz2222]

how about "pet safe" antifreeze. Some auto parts stores carry it, and you can mix it with water to get the desired non freezing point. A whole lot cheaper than 50 gallons of wwf at $1 a gallon.

 

[Dae06]

Well I did it. I filled my tires this weekend with WWF. I made a quick video of me doing this. I hope it helps someone that is thinking of doing this themselves.

Filling tires with Windshield Washer Fluid: https://youtu.be/m5248tKNIs4

 

[twomany]

I have considered running maple sap.

In season it isn't that expensive. Actually the price goes to zero after a few warm nights in the buckets ;-)

Just kidding of course, but it is sugar water, might need a bit of boiling to get the sugar content up enough not to freeze hard. Slushing up is probably OK. ;-))

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

how about "pet safe" antifreeze. Some auto parts stores carry it, and you can mix it with water to get the desired non freezing point. A whole lot cheaper than 50 gallons of wwf at $1 a gallon.

I don't know about being cheaper, at Average price of $25 per gallon.
Even at a 50/50 mix that comes to $625 for 50 gallons.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I have considered running maple sap.

In season it isn't that expensive. Actually the price goes to zero after a few warm nights in the buckets ;-)

Just kidding of course, but it is sugar water, might need a bit of boiling to get the sugar content up enough not to freeze hard. Slushing up is probably OK. ;-))

Oh I'd love to be your tire repair guy...NOT!

 

[WFM]

Twomany what part of VT are you in ? And do you make syrup ?