Just priced Rim Guard and calcium...wow!!!

Flat47 · Nov 4, 2009

I've had no luck finding wheel weights for my Allis-Chalmers D15, so I called around to price liquid ballast. Quoted for my 14.9 x 26 tires:

Rim Guard $400
Calcium $140

I had to ask the Rim Guard guy twice if that was correct for 2 tires or if maybe he multiplied it by 2...nope. $400.

Guess I'm going old school and getting some calcium!

fordtractor2000 · Nov 4, 2009

the other thing you can use is windshield washer fluid, if you could find a bulk supplier and get it in 55 gallon drums it mite be another less corrosive way to go

paul · Nov 4, 2009

I know a lot of folk, moreso from the south where you don't need so much, use wiper fluid. It is lighter than water, while CC or Rimguard are heavier than water, so you get a little less of an effect with the wiper fluid, if a lot of weight is important.

--->Paul

Anonymous-0 · Nov 4, 2009

I cant figure from your wording. Was it 400 dollars each tire or 400 dollars for the pair of tires? Just curious. Tom

IH2444 · Nov 4, 2009

How about water and a few gallons of RV type antifreeze?

You just have to keep it from freezing solid, a bit slushy should be no problem.

Anonymous-0 · Nov 4, 2009

With a 26" wheel you're gonna need all the weight/traction you can get. Calcium is what the real tractors use. You just have to keep an eye on it.

Glenn F.

glennster · Nov 4, 2009

yup that rim guard is pricey. that is why i load with calcuim. i use 5lbs/gallon mix. if yer gonna load em, load em heavy!! as long as you fix a flat right away, calcuim is a good inexpensive ballast. i buy in 50 lb bags from farm service and mix it myself. with a fill valve adapter and a drill operated pump, you can set up for about 30 dollars to pump your own.

Flat47 · Nov 4, 2009

(quoted from post at 19:46:08 11/04/09) I cant figure from your wording. Was it 400 dollars each tire or 400 dollars for the pair of tires? Just curious. Tom

Both price quotes are the grand total for loading.
I just couldn't believe that Rim Guard would be that much more. That's not really giving calcium much of any competition.

Indeed, I need all the weight I can get. The old A-C kind of floats along, and does okay with a 2-bottom plow. With ballast I fully expect to run my 3-bottom without worry.

Bob Bancroft · Nov 4, 2009

Yea. 400 gals. in one tractor 2 1/2 years ago- $1700!
Local AC parts guy has a bunch of the D series segmented weights. But I'll bet they're for the D17. And I imagine you're a long way from central NY. Most everyone is!

Flat47 · Nov 4, 2009

(quoted from post at 21:07:10 11/04/09) Yea. 400 gals. in one tractor 2 1/2 years ago- $1700!
Local AC parts guy has a bunch of the D series segmented weights. But I'll bet they're for the D17. And I imagine you're a long way from central NY. Most everyone is!

I'm up in northern Maine.
I think the D15 segment weights are 70 lbs each, so that would be 240 lbs per side as opposed to 540 lbs per side with calcium. Plus, it seems like those segment weights are getting real pricey. I saw some a while back in IL or IN for $350 plus shipping.

Vito · Nov 4, 2009

I would spend the extra $ 260 and not look back.Spin out rims aren't cheap at all.

Vito

RodinNS · Nov 4, 2009

Atta boy! Simple arithmitic works every time.

Rod

Anonymous-0 · Nov 4, 2009

I never see it discussed but what is wrong with >methanol mixed 1/3 to 2/3 one 55 gal barrel would make more than the two rear tires can hold. $Last time I bought any around $180.00 A BARREL does not cause any rim problems and can get a weight of somewhere close to 8 lbs per gal ?

Anonymous-0 · Nov 4, 2009

CC gives the most weight per gallon, and the cheapest weight. Not a problem with CC unless you don't fix the leakers! Been the standard for decades, and no, it doesn't rust rims in a short time. Nothing to be afraid of- concerns are way overrated.

Iowa_tire_guy · Nov 4, 2009

I sell both Calcium and Rimguard and still can't believe all the sales for the Rimguard. I sell 10 times more of it than Calcium but I am like you and am too cheap to buy it. Of course I have no problem selling it, to bad it isn't all profit.

buickanddeere · Nov 4, 2009

For all the difference in weight between windshield washer fluid and salt water. Having the fuel tank empty or full will affect the gross weight more.
Best way to handle a problem is to get rid of it rather than living with it. Pouring an aggressive salt solution into your machine is looking for trouble.
Take a tour through a tractor salvage yard. There is proof that salt water corrodes rims & wheels.

showcrop · Nov 5, 2009

CaCl doesn't ruin rims, procrastination does. Ya gotta fix the leak sometime. Do it now save rim. Do it later replace tire tube and rim. I know two brothers who farmed, that in 5 years parked two good running tractors because of lack of inclination to repair flats. after 10 years parked they were only salvage.

buickanddeere · Nov 5, 2009

It's impossible for a valve stem to completely seal calcium chloride/salt crystals. They all seap, it's just a mater of how much.
Diluted windshield washer fluid stays behind the valve stem without leakage. Doesn't cost any more than salt water either.
Why on earth would you keep a problem near and dear to you instead of getting rid of it?
Yes I know tradition and all that but........we don't use outhouses anymore either. At one time they were state of art and practical too.

DJM75 · Nov 5, 2009

and poisonous to primates. Thats us.

wilamayb · Nov 5, 2009

It's just like handing a baby a loaded pistol. It's gonna happen at some point.

I personally have never owned a tractor with CaCl that didnt have rusty rims. The valve stems ALWAYS leak.

Cast iron weights will pay for themselves and give better traction than fluid. Those weights stay put when you have a flat also. The CaCl kills the grass and has to be replaced. Adding fluid also makes for a rough ride. Weights actually improve the ride. Weights will last more than a lifetime and water last until the tire is stobbed then it has to be repurchased and a tire guy has to pump it in and out which is more $$$$. If you have cast iron weights you can change the tire yourself.

Ever stobbed a tire with CaCl? It's nice when it gets sprayed ALL OVER the tractor.

I cant imagine why anyone would want fluid, even worst CaCl.

wilamayb · Nov 5, 2009

Why not use alcohol? It will be much cheaper.

charles lendman · Nov 5, 2009

You could use proplyene glycol...envirotemtally frendly and same resuly also no corrosion if you use rust inhibitor in it...just FYI...Charles

Iowa_tire_guy · Nov 5, 2009

(quoted from post at 05:37:56 11/05/09) It's impossible for a valve stem to completely seal calcium chloride/salt crystals. They all seap, it's just a mater of how much.

It's fun to watch you start to lose an argument, you just make up something new. What a hoot. Keep it up, I am enjoying your ignorance.

buickanddeere · Nov 5, 2009

You saying that salt crystals don't minutely wedge the valve off it's seat and allow seepage?
Too many leaking valve stems and ruined rims out there to deny that one.
Why is it just because Great Grand Papy, Grand Papy and Papy used salt water. Is it some sort of family tradition to make do instead of using something better?
The argument about the difference in weight between dilute windshield washer fluid and salt water is a mute point. There is more weight change on the tractor due to different operators and level in the fuel tank.
Then again some people make a tidy living pumping salt water to repair a flat. Or replacing rotten rims. Sticking the farmer with a bill he has no choice but to pay.

RodinNS · Nov 5, 2009

Is is that hard to rotate the stem to the top and blow some air in to clear the seat?
One thing I've never, ever had happen is a flat tire due to a leaking stem.
I've had some cores crumble on me while airing a tire up and then had to change them on the fly, but I've never had a new core fail to seal completly. Ever.

Rod

Flat47 · Nov 6, 2009

You guys are killing me...I was set to get calcium and now I'm back to debating about it.

The bottom line is: I need ballast and A-C D14/D15 wheel weights are proving impossible to get in New England. I've been looking for a year and half. $140 for calcium I can afford. $400 for Rim Guard I cannot afford.

buickanddeere · Nov 6, 2009

Never said anything about using Rim-Guard.
Purchase the garden hose to tire stem adapter at TSC. $50 worth of washer fluid and fill the tires your self with a drill pump and domestic water.
The washer fluid may go slushy but it never freezes.
If there is ever a flat or a problem. You can pump the stuff out yourself.Any splashing isn't going to wreck the paint or cause rust in some crevice.

Just priced Rim Guard and calcium...wow!!!

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