Rear tire fill - your thoughts appreciated

[Nicksacco]

As I am nearing completion of my project:

L35 - BT900 Separation and Derusting

Hi All- After almost 5 years of ownership and restoration, the time has come to separate my L35 from the BT900 backhoe. I've restored nearly everything about the two units - except where they connect. Hmmm, I needed inspiration. The Mount Release levers were frozen to their pivots in a...

www.orangetractortalks.com

I am contemplating different kinds of fluids for the rear tires (15 X 19.5 NHS)

Using the formula from RimGuard https://www.rimguardsolutions.com/tire-fill-tools\

I figure I can use up to 29 gallons per tire.

The least expensive thing folks seem to be using is windshield wiper fluid.
The price is decent and a 55 gallon drum is easily obtained.
Living in NC, I don't get much snow or long term freezing weather - and the L35 lives in a comfortable house.

I've found tire filling tools everywhere and I already have a small pump for the job.
Would anyone like to comment on their experiences with WW Fluid or any other fluid - or for that matter - the process?

 

[jyoutz]

Check out bio ballast. It a lot less messy than rim guard and non corrosive. It’s also better on the tire rubber than WW fluid.

Tire Ballast - EnviroTech Services

envirotechservices.com

 

[GreensvilleJay]

Any reason why you can't use wheel weights or a carryall weight box ?

 

[Nicksacco]

Any reason why you can't use wheel weights or a carryall weight box ?

Good question - thank you. I'm just looking for alternatives.

To date, I do not have a ballast box or wheel weights since I've always had the backhoe connected

 

[GreensvilleJay]

I chose the carryall. have 2 'skids of stuff', one heavy , one light. Easy to put carryall on, then backup and grab a 'skid of stuff' based on the loader work. light for mulch/compost work, heavy for dirt/stone work. when you run light , it's easier on the machine(less wear and tear, better MPG ) and the turf.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

My L35 tires aren't loaded. I think the rear counterweight is more important.

The main use for loaded tires, I think, is when using a ground engaging implement, disk, plow, etc. Then the weight is transferred from the tractor to the implement, and the tires need to replace that weight for traction.

If long as the backhoe is installed, I don't think you need loaded tires. If you are going to remove the hoe, I think you need a weight box or implement. In other words, counterweight behind the axle.

 

[lmichael]

Nice thing about loading the tires is the weight is not on the axle and bearings but right on the ground where it belongs.

 

[FTG-05]

I live in SC TN, temps don't get below freezing here for very long (usually). Rimguard was my first choice for loaded tires, but the nearest dealer (then) was near Lexington KY about a 5-6 hour trip one way.

So, I decided to use RV antifreeze - about 6 gallons each tire. Per Rimguard, my rear tires take 47 gallons each; so a good amount of weight added to the rear. Very much appreciated when working my hilly property.

 

[McMXi]

Would anyone like to comment on their experiences with WW Fluid or any other fluid - or for that matter - the process?

I've never filled tires myself but it's not a technically hard thing to do. I have Rim Guard in the rear tires of both tractors as well as three sets of wheel weights on both tractors and rarely feel the need for any additional weight out back. I also have over 1,000 lb of suitcase weights that I add to the M6060 when the loader is removed and could use some of them on the MX if needed. This combination of solutions works well for me.

The comment by @lmichael about liquid ballast and where it puts the weight is a good point. There's a significant difference in how and where loads from liquid ballast, wheel weights and 3-point weight are applied.

 

[Fastball714]

I live in SC TN, temps don't get below freezing here for very long (usually). Rimguard was my first choice for loaded tires, but the nearest dealer (then) was near Lexington KY about a 5-6 hour trip one way.

So, I decided to use RV antifreeze - about 6 gallons each tire. Per Rimguard, my rear tires take 47 gallons each; so a good amount of weight added to the rear. Very much appreciated when working my hilly property.

How were you able to put the antifreeze in the tire?

 

[McMXi]

How were you able to put the antifreeze in the tire?

Pete from Just A Few Acres Farm showed how to do this on a recent video. He filled a rear tire with a lot of windshield washer fluid in addition to replacing the inner tube.

 

[FTG-05]

How were you able to put the antifreeze in the tire?

Five gallon bucket, sump pump, $15 air tool from Tractor Supply and a couple garden hoses. Fill the 5 gallon bucket, hook everything up, start the pump and add AF and water till filled. Stop every once in a while to burp the tire - the $15 air tool makes this easy.

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

.... I also have over 1,0000 lb of suitcase weights that I add to the M6060 when the loader is removed and could use some of them on the MX if needed. This combination of solutions works well for me.

Is that mEtrIC?

 

[D2Cat]

I used the 15 gallon sprayer tank. Real simple. The one gallon jugs fit the opening perfectly when turned upside down. Used an external battery for power. Removed the valve core and used the same hose that attached to the spray wand.

Need to jack the rear of the tractor about one inch off the ground (no more), and have the valve stem at the 12 o'clock position. I stopped the pump a couple of times on each wheel (and removed the hose) to let the air the fluid was displacing escape. There is a tool to screw on the valve stem to let the air out. I did purchase one at NAPA and never used it. It is not needed, $15 wasted. You can pump the fluid out of the tank as fast as you can dump it in--almost.

I put 42 gallons in each wheel. I bought it a Walmart in a spring sale for $1 a gallon. Manager told me folks will not purchase winter fluid in warm weather, so they sell it to get it off the floor! I had heard of the sale and had to go to two stores to get all I wanted.

 

[FTG-05]

I used the 15 gallon sprayer tank. Real simple. The one gallon jugs fit the opening perfectly when turned upside down. Used an external battery for power. Removed the valve core and used the same hose that attached to the spray wand.

Need to jack the rear of the tractor about one inch off the ground (no more), and have the valve stem at the 12 o'clock position. I stopped the pump a couple of times on each wheel (and removed the hose) to let the air the fluid was displacing escape. There is a tool to screw on the valve stem to let the air out. I did purchase one at NAPA and never used it. It is not needed, $15 wasted. You can pump the fluid out of the tank as fast as you can dump it in--almost. View attachment 164114 View attachment 164115

I put 42 gallons in each wheel. I bought it a Walmart in a spring sale for $1 a gallon. Manager told me folks will not purchase winter fluid in warm weather, so they sell it to get it off the floor! I had heard of the sale and had to go to two stores to get all I wanted.

This part is important.

 

[McMXi]

Is that mEtrIC?

Yeah! I guess I should correct that.

 

[L35]

As a side note the front loader on the L35 is just about useless (and dangerous) with no rear weight weather it’s loaded tires, a weight box, 3pt implement or the BT900 backhoe.

Anything other then a bucket of mulch at the heaviest and the rear tires are coming off the ground it’s that bad!

 

[Fastball714]

Is antifreeze any better than washer fluid, as far as rusting the rim?

 

[lmichael]

Is antifreeze any better than washer fluid, as far as rusting the rim?

I would think so. It's made to be anti-rust and made to be exposed to rubber parts without deteriorating either one.

 

[Elliott in GA]

Windshield Washer fluid has been used for many, many decades in tractor tires without any issues. It is cheap, and it does not cause rust (in addition to all of the tractor tires, millions upon millions of cars have used it for many, many decades without any problems - including corrosion).

Rim Guard and some other premium solutions offer improved weight at a higher cost, and they might be slightly nicer to plants in the event of a spill. Does the extra expense and potential additional effort make sense for you - only you can know.

Wheel weights are very expensive, and as rotational weight they add stress to your tractor's drive train. Is it significant - probably not? If you use your tractor to load gravel all day, everyday at a gravel yard, wheel weights could cause additional wear versus a little turbulence in the liquid tire fill. However, you might need more weight than a liquid fill can provide, but at some point all of that weight may become a negative.

Most people probably just use Windshield Wiper fluid, and it works well for them. Unless you have some special need, it will work for you too. I use Windshield Wiper fluid (filled rears for free by the dealer), and I add an implement (usually the box blade) for loader work.