Alternatives to CaCl in tires....

I suppose used antifreeze would also work.

Tims$.02

I'm with you on the water idea. Antifreeze is toxic and CaCl just plain sucks. I loaded my tires with plain old water this year and since I don't use the tractor in the winter months, I will drain the tires for winter storage. I realize that you can't drain 100% of the water out and will probably use a little non-toxic antifreeze to take care of that. Next year I will reload with water again and that little bit of non toxic antifreeze will be insignificant in 90 gallons of water. The process is just too easy vs. the hazards and cost of permanent solutions to freezing.

Another common misconception is that glycol antifreeze solutions are lighter than water. This is untrue! Ethylene Glycol has a specific gravity of 1.11 or 11% more than pure water. That would make a 50/50 mixture about 5.5% heavier than plain old water or about 8.79 lbs per gallon. That's still not heavier than CaCl, but definitely heavier than plain H20.

Also, CC is heavier than water, while your antifreezes are lighter than water. Kinda defeats the purpose.

Then, my coop tire service place at least, would be royally ticked if I contaminated their CC supply fooling around with antifreeze in my tires. I think I'd have some liability on that.

There is at least one product made from beet pulp called Rim Guard that is designed to be a non-corosive tire fluid. I'd go with that if you don't want CC.

--->Paul

Rims rust because people don't fix leaks. Salt water makes them rust faster but they rust just the same with pure water.

At $.67 per gallon you are paying at least twice what I pay for H2O + CaCl.

There is nothing wrong with CaCl, it works great and it is a lot heavier than water or anti-freeze. If you have problems with your rims, it is because you are not paying attention to your tires, period. We have 8 tractors on the farm with CaCl in the tires and have not had any problems with them. We also have a few that just have air in the tires, and it is a huge difference just trying to back haywagons up the barn bridge or other small tasks.

Bottom line is, you fix the leaks and wash the rims quickly, and you inspect your tires for signs of cracks or holes and replace them in a timely manner. It is just like a lot of other things on the farm, it will work fine "if" you manage it correctly. Abuse it and it will tear your rims and fenders off your tractors.

Can't imagine why you folks are getting gouged so much.

I'd sure by my own & do it myself for those prices.

Being as CC is 40% heavier than washer fluid, and you are trying to add weight, I don't follow the other argument that 'the tractor won't notice the difference' the other person made?

As to rust, living in Minnesota my rims rust out a _lot_ faster from the salted MN winter roads rather than any CC inside of them. You should see the gravity box rims. Even the boxes themselves rust from the wheel spray if you haul any grain in winter. CC is a minor concern. It is the right product for the job on so many levels.

--->Paul

The local tire shop charges me $1.50 a gallon, plus $1.25 a mile, plus $25.00 service charge.

Can't wait to get down outta these hills and get rid of the darned stuff.

'Course don't cha know, they are gonna charge me to haul the silly stuff off too.

Can't win. :>)

Allan

Why do you want to farm? At those prices you should be in the calcium service business!

This is entirely up to you but if you want to get rid of it just dump it on a gravel driveway. CaCl is used in many parts of the country just like NaCl (salt) during the winter. It's not harmful to anything or anybody in the long term; in the short term it will kill plants so a driveway is safe.

Ron

I was led to believe that you never had any trouble of any kind, no flats nor any break downs ever.

What's going on? Wassssa deal here? :>)

Allan

Can you give us an idea of the cost of Rim Guard?

Alcohol and windshield washer fluid are lighter than water and pricey. Used coolant is fatal in tiny doses to cats, dogs, and kids. If you had leak problems with CaCl you will have them with coolant too. Leaks are caused by poor maintenance, not the fluids.

In the south, they use beet juice. I always knew they were good for something... they sure are nasty to eat.

Or maybe you want to try this. Years ago I was in the plant that makes those tow tractors they use to yank 747's around at airports. Wonder how they get such great traction? The tires are filled with powdered lead!