Water in Tires Question

tintin · Jan 30, 2010

Bought a 1950 Ferguson TO-20 last week and just got around to starting to go over it today. I noticed when I went to air the tires that they are water-filled. I'd like to avoid the corrosive risk this poses (if they're calcium cloride-filled) and reduce overall weight to avoid rutting up the yard in wet weather. Since I'm a total newbie at this I'm hoping someone could give me some advice...

I only plan to use the tractor for mowing and a little light plowing...is the extra weight even necessary?

I assume the filling is water & calcium cloride. Is there a recommended way to dispose of this if I want to drain the tires?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

usetob · Jan 30, 2010

first of all you have to figure out if infact it does have CC or antifreeze in the tires. If it's just water and you don't want(or need) the extra weight then you can drain most of the water out. If it is CC or antifreeze you'll have to get a tire place to recycle it for you! hope this helps!

BCnT · Jan 30, 2010

if you live in a southern climate that doesnt freeze often,its most likely plain water.

weight loss isnt going to help your lawn in wet weather...cross bar tires bite in by design...if you just want to mow grass then you need turf tires.

Ultradog MN · Jan 30, 2010

Ballast is good for a couple of reasons.
It gives you more traction and it makes your tractor a more stable platform to do useful tasks with. Especially in hilly country some ballast will plant your tractor more firmly onto the ground - reduce tipping, etc.
My mowing tractor isn't much larger than your TO.
Yet I keep about 225 lbs/wheel on it. Just for hill and dale.
I prefer cast iron and have been willing to do the search/wait for the right wheel weights for my Fords. Had they come with CaCl I would not have removed it.
Ballast is good.

jimva · Jan 30, 2010

If its calcium cloride its not as toxic as you think the state is now spraying it on the roads as a de-icer and are mixing it in with the salt when they put that on the roads. They also spray the calcium cloride solution in the summer on dirt roads for dust control.
And before some guy says its not the same, one of the drivers told me himself just today while he showed me the tanks and the hoses that run to the back of the salt spreader and spray out a steady stream into the salt just before its spread.

buickanddeere · Jan 30, 2010

Opinions vary. This topic rates up there with religion and politics in it's ability to upset people.
Some folk like to add as much ballast possible for a little $$$ possible. No matter what the tractor is or it's intended application.
If the extra ballast is not required for traction, sidehill stability or front end loader work. Then yes the extra ballast only serves to compact or rut the soil. And burn extra fuel hauling those thousands of pounds around.
If the ultra frugal type of person actually knew how much it cost to haul extra ballast around. They would be pumping the ballast out.

504 · Jan 30, 2010

If you are going to use a mow-board plow you need the weight.

Leroy · Jan 31, 2010

Keep the weight.

Water in Tires Question

tintin

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usetob

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BCnT

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Ultradog MN

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jimva

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buickanddeere

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504

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Leroy

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