Calcium - Any idea how much and how to get it in -

I'm changing a tire on my 49 8N and found that the rim has corroded due to the Calcium Chloride used as ballast in the tire - I'll weld (braze) a patch over the holes, but I'll have to replace that CaCl and I've never done that before.

I was wondering if anyone has done this before and could you tell me how much CaCl I should put in and how do you get that stuff in there?

Thanks a bunch

Gord (aka AteN).

I"m good now - with many options.

I use my "49 8N tractor for tillage (2 plow - takes about 4 hours per acre, much faster with a disc), snowplowing/blowing, skidding and a hundred other uses as you all know - I do use it with a brush hog on occasion, but I have never used it for finish mowing. As such, I"ll have to fill up the ballast.

I found a few holes in the outside rim, corroded from the CaCl, but I was able to grind and braze them satisfactory enough. That stuff is indeed corrosive.

Once again, thanks for all the help and advice. Happy plowing!

Gord (aka AteN).

• Filling tires

I neglected to say in my earlier post that Rim Guard is made from beet juice. The "latest thing" spoken of in the referenced post.

Though water and anti freeze solution, used or otherwise, is good ballast, it is considerably lighter than either CaCl/water or Rim Guard.

By the way, if you choose water/anti freeze a couple gallons of anti freeze per tire is all that is necessary. Yes, it will slush up at low temperatures but it will not freeze solid.

Again, most of us that use our Ns only for mowing do not need loaded tires. Myself, I have 8 vintage tractors, and use all of them but only one has loaded tires.

Dean

You may want to consider not replacing the CaCl and removing the same from the other rear tire.

Unless you use your tractor for tillage work you do not need the ballast. If you use your N for mowing like most of us do you will be better off without the corrosive calcium. Removing 800 lbs. or so of unneeded weight will make a new tractor out of your N.

If you do need the ballast, I suggest Rim Guard rather than CaCl. It is non corrosive, heavier that Calcium solution, and does not freeze.

Dean

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