Tire ballast

Bob Huntress · Dec 15, 2011

I reviewed some of the remarks regarding filling the wheels and rims with what is effectively salt water(calcium Cloride). I was surprised that people actually had pros for using it, and I'm not saying it's bad. My question is whether many of you who use CC have considered basic anti freeze? It is not nearly as corrosive, and the weight has to be about the same. Other than cost, what advantages does CC have?

rrlund · Dec 15, 2011

The disadvantage to the anti freeze is it's poison. I've had cattle grub on tires and break the valve stem off of loaded tires at least twice.

wijim · Dec 15, 2011

Also if you have a tire guy come fix or change tires, I would think you would want something thats compatable with whats on his truck.Jim

Keith Williams · Dec 15, 2011

Bob,
"and the weight has to be about the same"
Well NOOOOOOOO.
From a chart in an owners manual I have, the CACL adds around 5 to 6 lbs to each Gal of water.
So if you put 40 gal of water in it weights 320 lbs. The same 40 gal of CACL would weight around 530 lbs.
Most antifreese solutions are lighter than water. They have a lower specific gravity.
Just works for me!
Keith

Zachary Hoyt · Dec 15, 2011

Antifreeze is slightly lighter than plain water(I think), CaCl is heavier, how much heavier depends on how many pounds of salt you dissolve per gallon of water. For example 5#/gal mix weighs 13# per gallon.
Zach

thurlow · Dec 15, 2011

There are always exceptions, but around 'here', farmers (not 'city farmers', to use Allan's term) used it because it was heavy and cheap. The tire shops around here swapped over to an alcohol/water mix 15 or 20 years ago, and the farmers followed along. If you're considering putting liquid in your tires, I suggest checking with the local tire shops and see what's being used locally. We used CaCl for about 35 years.........with absolutely no problems.

glennster · Dec 15, 2011

from the firstone ag website, firestone recommends either calcium chloride or glycol based products for ballast. no alcohol, methanol, ethanol or gasoline based products. here is the link to the service bulletin.
firestone bulletin

Jim in Ma. · Dec 15, 2011

Another option if you worry about corrosive action on your tires and rims.
Look into Magnesium Chloride - non corrosive and non toxic to critters. In bulk you can get it for about $ 1.00 per gal.

Some States are using it on their roads for ice melt.

Nebraska Cowman · Dec 15, 2011

Weight. And COST is an advantage. Dad always said, "it's easier to save a dollar than to make one"

Anonymous-0 · Dec 15, 2011

(quoted from post at 16:02:41 12/15/11) I think most people would rather use antifreeze and I'm one of them but I plan to use calcium chloride. I don't believe there is a noticeable difference in weight except with all the money you save, you can fatten up the driver.

I was looking at a chart that said CC added 40% to the weight compared to straight liquid....... Trying to find some now and will load my own. Any info on the magnesium chloride as far as mix ratio and temperatures? Seems to be a better availability and cheaper here....

Stephen Newell · Dec 15, 2011

I think most people would rather use antifreeze and I'm one of them but I plan to use calcium chloride. I don't believe there is a noticeable difference in weight except with all the money you save, you can fatten up the driver.

old · Dec 15, 2011

I use winter grade wiper fluid in my tires. No problems with rim rust plus no problem if you do get a leak in an area where animals can drink the stuff and be killed by anti freeze. I have one tire on my ford 841 filled with CACL and the other wiper fluid and unless I air one up I have know idea which is which so as to say you do not notice a traction problem

Dave Sherburne NY · Dec 15, 2011

Used antifreeze has the advantage in cost, I got all I needed from the Chevy dealer next door FREE
It usually has Oil floating on the top but thats not a problem just pump it off the bottom and don't try to get every drop out of the barrel, it's FREE

Anonymous-0 · Dec 15, 2011

I am using Rim Guard and putting it in myself, tire dealer sells it to me bulk and I haul it home. I use a 300 gal. tank in my pickup it is much heaver than water!

Ultradog MN · Dec 15, 2011

If they drank much of it that would be like beef jerky on the hoof wouldn't it.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 15, 2011

Antifreeze is for radiators. The weight isn't even close. Less a few exceptions calcium chloride is the ballast of choice and has been been almost as long as rubber tires were put on tractors. I'm pretty sure most people would prefer to replace the odd rim from a leaking CC tire than be digging graves for dead livestock, pets, other animals and even kids. Yes, kids have died from antifreeze. Calcium has been used in millions of tires for decades with no problems at all. All the negative views of it are bizarre.

Bob Huntress · Dec 15, 2011

Ballast, you do know that they make non toxic antifreeze?

Anonymous-0 · Dec 15, 2011

They make plumbing antifreeze but your post said basic antifreeze. Other post's referred to used antifreeze like used in a radiator. Either way it's a lot lighter than calcium chloride solution.

Rick Kr · Dec 16, 2011

Jim,

You might want to look into Magnesium Chloride a little more. It IS less corrosive than CaCl but still corrosive

But if you can get it for $1/gallon. That beats CaCl, don"t know the weight/gallon of MgCl vs CaCl.

Rick

danofarming · Dec 16, 2011

The standard fill here in Tennessee for 20 plus years has been a mixture of water and methanol, it is not as heavy as the Calcium Chloride Mix but does not eat rims.

Leroy · Dec 17, 2011

Thw places here that still have the pumps I DO NOT THINK would even consider running something like that thru their equipment.

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