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Pete76NY
11-02-2006 10:51:05
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Re: How to Fill tires in reply to Matt Williams, 11-02-2006 09:39:23
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Matt, you can buy the Calcium in bags at any chemical store, or probably agway, the problem with it is twofold: Due to the corrosiveness of the water calcium mix, you need more than just a cheap submersible pump (unless you only want one use), and it will corrode your rims just from the condensation that occurs through the tube due to weather. An alternative that I use is windshield washer fluid. I always use winter formula, and buy it by the gallon as opposed to the concentrated 55 gal drums. (Cheaper by the gallon, and usually if ya give 'em some warning the local Wal-Mart will give you a discount.
The advantages are: price, non-corrosive, and you can economically buy the tools to put it in;
Get a used 55 gallon drum, determine how many gallons for your tire size and pour them in, (add an 8 oz bottle of water bed conditioner to each barrel to control algea), buy a cheap submersible pump, and a special nozzle (available at NAPA or Gemplers) and a standard garden hose. let the air out of your tire via the watervalve (not the air valve) then jack that side of your tractor, keep the valve stem at 12 oclock and attach the hose and begin pumping. Every couple minutes you will need to press the relief valve on the side of the fitting to let the displaced air out (let go once fluid starts to flow through the relief valve). When you feel you are nearly full, disconnect the valve and roll the tire to either 11 or 1 oclock, if fluid comes out the stem you are full, if not add until it does. Once full, replace the watervalve and add air to your desired pressure. Repeat on the other side, the rinse the pump with a little fresh water...done. Closed minded people will tell you that the alcohol will crack the tubes, that the soap in the fluid will make the tire slip...I have been using this stuff in some tractors for 10 plus years, I have had it out of some and had a chance to check the tubes, and am very pleased with it.
Some people will use used anti freeze, but it creates a danger to animals who will lick the sugars in it if you have a flat.
Some use the fluid from beet pulp squeezings, and I hear it's good, but no available in my part of the US (Upstate, NY) The down side to the windshield washer fluid is twofold also: it's a little over 1 pound lighter than a properly mixed calcium water solution, and your recycle guy is gonna be real displeased with you the pick up day after you fill your tires! Pete
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