Rear tire fill - your thoughts appreciated

[jyoutz]

I’m using a product that is never mentioned in these discussions, but it’s a nice alternative. It’s made from corn and far less messy than Rimguard.

Bio-Ballast® - EnviroTech Services

envirotechservices.com

 

[Shawn T. W]

Ha ha! Looks like @jyoutz beat me to it!

How about Bio Ballast ... https://envirotechservices.com/bio-ballast/ also a water soluble offering?

I'm not sure why the fuss about if the inside of a wheel might rust out in 50 years vs 60 years? When more than half the tractors it seems are left out in the weather to rust from the outside?

If water (yeah there some oxygen in there too!) and air (21% oxygen IIRC) are what causes rust ... There is a very limited amount of air (and even less oxygen!) sealed in the tire, once the available limited oxygen is used inside the tire to "rust" where is any more oxygen going to come from?

 

[Elliott in GA]

I’m using a product that is never mentioned in these discussions, but it’s a nice alternative. It’s made from corn and far less messy than Rimguard.

Bio-Ballast® - EnviroTech Services

envirotechservices.com

Sounds like you found a great solution for your needs.

I did notice that the SDS sheet that they provide on their site lists the contents as: 30-70% organic based components and the remainder is water (so 70-30% water). I would expect that Rim Guard is very similar.

 

[McMXi]

Your listing different things with water in it to show wild differences is meaningless.

Liquid Ballast - YANMAR America Corporation

www.yanmartractor.com

No, you make the assumption that if two products are water based then substrates exposed to them will experience the same type and rate of corrosion. This is ridiculous and simplistic to say the least. I don't care what anyone uses in their tires, and I have no idea if Rim Guard is the best product available. I do know that it's heavy, it won't cause corrosion and if it leaks it's not going to kill my dog. All are important to me.

 

[Elliott in GA]

No, you make the assumption that if two products are water based then substrates exposed to them will experience the same type and rate of corrosion. This is ridiculous and simplistic to say the least. I don't care what anyone uses in their tires, and I have no idea if Rim Guard is the best product available. I do know that it's heavy, it won't cause corrosion and if it leaks it's not going to kill my dog. All are important to me.

No, your non-like products comparison is ridiculous and pointless. I do not even know why you are trying to make this argument.

Both Rim Guard and Windshield wiper fluid are non-corrosive. So, there is no utility to state that other completely unrelated products with water are different.

My point was and is (that contrary to the claims by Rim Guard) that the water used in other ballast solutions does not pose a problem, and I added my question about what Rim Guard contains (it is probably water - just like Bio-Ballast) to get an answer from Rim Guard (who has visited the thread since I posed my question). Rim Guard has not posted a response.

Unless, Rim Guard or someone else can post specific information as to how the water in Rim Guard (presuming that is what is in there) behaves differently than the water in Windshield wiper fluid - the effects of the water in each product are the same - non-corrosive.

 

[Cathy Liebchen]

Dealers here use water methanol mix

 

[jyoutz]

Sounds like you found a great solution for your needs.

I did notice that the SDS sheet that they provide on their site lists the contents as: 30-70% organic based components and the remainder is water (so 70-30% water). I would expect that Rim Guard is very similar.

I’ve been told by the dealer that it’s a slurry that isn’t such a gloopy mess like Rimguard. And supposedly (according to manufacturer claim) it conditions the tire rubber to keep it soft to reduce cracking. They also sell a compatible product that can be added along with the ballast that is similar to tire slime that would seal small leaks.

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Wow….I thought ‘grease and oil” threads were tough to follow….

I don’t "have a dog in this fight” but sometimes it’s true that “ignorance is bliss"


When my dealer said “Do you want your tires “loaded”?"

I just said just “yes”………………I don’t know if they put beet juice, salt water, Rim Guard, or "Yak Urine” in there.

I guess when my rims rust out, in the year 2075, since I will be dust, my great, great grandson will have to deal with it accordingly.

Carry on gentlemen…...

 

[Trash Panda]

Dealers here use water methanol mix

Which is exactly what most windshield washer fluid is comprised of (mostly).

If I didn’t find gallon jugs of WWF on sale when I did, a half barrel of methanol and water was definitely my second choice.

 

[McMXi]

Dealers here use water methanol mix

Perhaps this is common knowledge but when you mix a gallon of water and a gallon of alcohol you don't end up with 2 gallons of a mixed solution. You actually have less than 2 gallons which is a useful property when trying to add weight to a tire.

 

[McMXi]

No, your non-like products comparison is ridiculous and pointless. I do not even know why you are trying to make this argument.

Because you made this comment which misses the nuance of the term "water based". It's entirely reasonable that one water-based product can cause corrosion but another water-based product does not. Have you ever heard the expression "additive package".

"You care because claiming water and water based ballast is bad for wheels/tires rings hollow, if your product is also water based."

There are lots of good ways to add ballast inside a tire, and like @Runs With Scissors I happened to get Rim Guard because that's what the local dealer uses. Any solution that has a freeze point low enough for Montana winters, that doesn't cause corrosion of the rim, adds at least 8lb/gallon, and doesn't kill my dog is good to go. When I eventually need to replace tires I'll look at all of the options out there including Rim Guard.

 

[Elliott in GA]

Because you made this comment which misses the nuance of the term "water based". It's entirely reasonable that one water-based product can cause corrosion but another water-based product does not. Have you ever heard the expression "additive package".

"You care because claiming water and water based ballast is bad for wheels/tires rings hollow, if your product is also water based."

There are lots of good ways to add ballast inside a tire, and like @Runs With Scissors I happened to get Rim Guard because that's what the local dealer uses. Any solution that has a freeze point low enough for Montana winters, that doesn't cause corrosion of the rim, adds at least 8lb/gallon, and doesn't kill my dog is good to go. When I eventually need to replace tires I'll look at all of the options out there including Rim Guard.

You are just being obtuse to try to have an argument. The products being discussed are all Non-Corrosive, and it seems water based. There is no utility to this exchange.

 

[jyoutz]

Wow….I thought ‘grease and oil” threads were tough to follow….

I don’t "have a dog in this fight” but sometimes it’s true that “ignorance is bliss"


When my dealer said “Do you want your tires “loaded”?"

I just said just “yes”………………I don’t know if they put beet juice, salt water, Rim Guard, or "Yak Urine” in there.

I guess when my rims rust out, in the year 2075, since I will be dust, my great, great grandson will have to deal with it accordingly.

Carry on gentlemen…...

I believe that calcium carbonate rots wheels quicker than 50 years.

 

[TheOldHokie]

I believe that calcium carbonate rots wheels quicker than 50 years.

Calcium chloride does

Frankly I am not sure what this battle is all about. Seems there are some agendas here.

 

[McMXi]

There is no utility to this exchange.

I agree but not for the same reason. I find it hilarious that some actually believe that windshield washer fluid has magical anti corrosion properties. It's not designed to sit for extended periods in direct contact with a steel rim regardless of what you believe. It's also not designed or intended to sit on the paint of a car for extended periods. There's an expectation of a reasonable exposure time and that's good enough. How does the pH of windshield washer fluid change with time? What ions are drifting around in windshield washer fluid? It's a lot better than calcium chloride and it's usually cheaper than Rim Guard but it is still a fluid that was never intended for use as liquid ballast in a wheel regardless of who uses it or what they think of it.

Ask Pete at Just A Few Acres Farm if windshield washer fluid won't cause corrosion (see him using an Ospho type product on the corroded surface inside his wheel followed by painting) and while you're at it, ask him why he runs it inside a tube in his rear tires.

 

[jyoutz]

Calcium chloride does

Frankly I am not sure what this battle is all about. Seems there are some agendas here.

Thanks. You are correct. A brain fart on my part.

 

[imarobot]

I believe that calcium carbonate rots wheels quicker than 50 years.

Certainty not 50 years in my rims. Rim rotted through after I'm guessing 15 years with calcium chloride and pissed itself out all over my barn. I was told it was because the fluid wasn't filled to above the top of the rim which left an air pocket for the corrosion to advance.
Whatever, my tractor now has Beet juice, and whatever the pro's or alternatives are I sleep well at night knowing it won't pee all over the barn. At least I hope not!

 

[Elliott in GA]

I agree but not for the same reason. I find it hilarious that some actually believe that windshield washer fluid has magical anti corrosion properties. It's not designed to sit for extended periods in direct contact with a steel rim regardless of what you believe. It's also not designed or intended to sit on the paint of a car for extended periods. There's an expectation of a reasonable exposure time and that's good enough. How does the pH of windshield washer fluid change with time? What ions are drifting around in windshield washer fluid? It's a lot better than calcium chloride and it's usually cheaper than Rim Guard but it is still a fluid that was never intended for use as liquid ballast in a wheel regardless of who uses it or what they think of it.

Ask Pete at Just A Few Acres Farm if windshield washer fluid won't cause corrosion (see him using an Ospho type product on the corroded surface inside his wheel followed by painting) and while you're at it, ask him why he runs it inside a tube in his rear tires.

Ok - you believe a Youtuber.

I believe:

1) Commercial sites like Yanmar (the tractor people) plus many more

Liquid Ballast - YANMAR America Corporation

www.yanmartractor.com

2) The fact that Windshield wiper fluid or the same mixed at tractor dealers has been used for many, many decades without any issues. It is probably the most used product, and it has been for many, many decades. I would speculate that the significant majority of members of this site use it without any problems.

I am sure you will respond with more insults, but you will not be able to respond with facts.

 

[BAP]

Calcium chloride does

Frankly I am not sure what this battle is all about. Seems there are some agendas here.

And there are some that keep battle going because they have to have something to fight about and like to hear themselves talk, even if they aren’t adding anything new.

 

[L35]

Well this thread went as well as could be expected….