Adding water to tractor tires to add weight.

[Jerry Reynolds 2]

Hi.  I have a 1975 D-180 Wheelhorse Tractor that seems too light when I use my loader bucket.  So I was wondering if I could add water to my rear tires (all tires?) to add weight.  If anyone has experience with doing this, then I have another question:  Do I add additional air after I fill the tire?  Thanks, Jerry Reynolds

 

[Achto 27,622]

8 minutes ago, Jerry Reynolds said:

So I was wondering if I could add water to my rear tires (all tires?) to add weight.  If anyone has experience with doing this, then I have another question:  Do I add additional air after I fill the tire?  Thanks, Jerry Reynolds

 

 

In Cali, freezing may not be an issue so you could get away with water. I suggest having tubes in your tires if you wish to fill them with fluid. Many people use RV anti freeze or winter blend wind shield washer fluid to fill the tires, this eliminates the worry of freezing. After getting as much fluid in the tires as you can you will still need to add air to get the tire pressure up. I set my rear tire pressure at about 8 to 12lbs.

 

Other fluids used for weight are calcium chloride and rim saver "beet juice". These are heavier than water. Calcium chloride gets along well with rubber but it will eat metal so tubes are a must when using it. Rim saver can be used with tubeless tires but I sill prefer to use tubes with loaded tires.

Edited January 10, 2021 by Achto

[squonk 41,164]

RV antifreeze or rim guard will have corrosion inhibitors. I've had RV in my tires with no tubes with no issues

[briankd 817]

 i used windshield washer fluid in mine been in mine 10 years now washer fluid i got for a buck a gallon and rv antifreeze was 4.50 a gallon i used a little over 15 gallon in the fronts and rears 

[Jerry Reynolds 2]

Thank you all for the advice.  JR

 

[Pullstart 62,922]

I’d suggest something more than just water also.  I have never added air to a tire after fluid filling.  I have used this transfer pump in the video below and I’ve also added fluid to a portable air tank then charged it with air to fill a tubed tire too.  

Here is a thread where we have been discussing sugar as a weight adder and antifreeze to a solution as well.

 

 

[briankd 817]

2 minutes ago, pullstart said:

 I have never added air to a tire after fluid filling

me neither the fluid is all no air tires flex a bit gives more traction

[rjg854 11,389]

I did that only once not adding air. And the tire came off the rim. I feel without the air pressure there's nothing to keep the bead sealed. That's my 2 cents

[briankd 817]

2 minutes ago, rjg854 said:

I did that only once not adding air. And the tire came off the rim. I feel without the air pressure there's nothing to keep the bead sealed. That's my 2 cents

i have tubes in all of mine never had that happen

[littleredrider 409]

I second the anti freeze or washer fluid. I filled mine after mounting the tires, and added water just to see how it would do. Well, I forgot bout it, and now they froze lol. Its not hurting anything, but the they get flat spots. I had a slow leak in a tube for the front, and turned it into a ski lol. But a standard size rear is about 100lbs. 

[squonk 41,164]

I leave an air space in the tires for the fluid to slosh around. The fluid pushes the tractor when you hit a snow bank and gives it an extra oomph

[Tach-a-matic 357]

I have filled 6 tires with this cheap pump and its really easy

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Pennzoil-9-62-in-Multi-Use-Hand-Pump-36677/205092031?NCNI-5

 

About 2 times per gallon you have to disconnect the outlet line at the pump to relieve pressure or it gets really difficult to keep pumping in fluid. If water can be used thats great because its a pain to take out or dispose of windshield washer fluid when changing tires or other reason.

 

When the job is done pump up tires to the desired pressure.

 

Make sure there are no pre-existing leaks AND the stems are good or else you'll be redoing the job (ask me how I know this)

 

 

Edited January 11, 2021 by Tach-a-matic

[Jhook 849]

I use the same pump as @Tach-a-matic its gravity fed just pull the hose off the tire every half gallon to let it breathe. Ive loaded 8 tires this way with rv antifreeze and washer fluid. First thing i do when i get a new machine is remove the tubes from tires if it has em, then load the rear tires. I prefer being able to throw a quick plug in a tire rather than having to dismount and replace a tube in the event of a puncture. 

[daveoman1966 3,752]

I think either Auto  Zone or NAPA offers a fluid filler adapter that allows air to escape back thru the valve stem, while filling the tire with fluid.  I used one years ago, but don't really recall how it was set up. 

 

[littleredrider 409]

Tractor supply has a an adaptor that goes from a garden hose to the valve stem. Works great and fast, and has a bleeder valve to relieve air pressure. 

[DennisThornton 4,769]

I've used RV anti-freeze but I now question why I didn't just use low temp windshield washer fluid.  I have a fire extinguisher tank with a screw off cap and a schrader valve that I rigged a hose and the tire filling bleeder valve mentioned above.  I have to fill the tank 2-3 times so now I'm considering a little pump instead.  Either way it's not the high tech/expensive, can't be done at home process that I once thought.  Heck, I read somewhere, here perhaps, that someone broke the bead on one side and just poured in the fluid.  I do think that they should NOT be filled completely AND should then be aired to the recommend pressure.

 

From the Rim Guard Chart:  
(Windshield washer fluid will weigh less!)
23x8.50-12     5.5 gal    58.9 lbs
23x10.50-12     6.8 gal    72.8 lbs

Based on 75% Fill Level/Valve Stem @ 12lbs for bias ply tires