Using Liquid Ballast

CAUTION: Installing liquid ballast requires special equipment and training. See your John Deere dealer or a tire service store.

IMPORTANT: NEVER fill any tire to more than 90 percent. More solution could damage tires.

Water or calcium chloride solution can be used to provide economical ballast. Used properly, it will not damage tires, tubes, or rims. However, liquid ballast is not recommended because it results in harsh ride, difficulty in handling, spills if flats occur, and when used in rear tires can result in greater susceptibility to power hop.

Liquid ballast should be avoided in rear tires since it has a stiffening effect that causes the tractor to give a rough ride and generally reduces ability to control power hop. If liquid is used in the rear tires, all tires on the axle must be filled to the same level which should not exceed 40 percent.

A calcium chloride mixture of 420 grams per liter (3.5 lb per gal) of water will not freeze solid above -45°C (-50°F) or a mixture of 600 grams per liter (5.0 lb per gal) will not freeze solid above -50°C (-60°F).

NOTE: Use of alcohol as liquid ballast is not recommended.

Up to 75 percent fill may be used in MFWD front tires for weight or to provide stiffness to assist in power hop control. Do this as a last alternative.

Fill FRONT tires to 40 or 75 percent full for needed ballast. Fill REAR tires to maximum of 40 percent. More solution could result in harsh ride. Chart shows how much each size holds if filled to 40 or 75 percent.

Liquid Ballast Charts

Liquid Ballast PER Front Tire							Liquid Ballast PER Rear Tire
Tire Size	40% Fill			75% Fill			Tire Size	40% Fill
	420 g/L (3.5 lb/gal)	600 g/L (5.0 lb/gal)		420 g/L (3.5 lb/gal)	600 g/L (5.0 lb/gal)			420 g/L (3.5 lb/gal)	600 g/L (5.0 lb/gal)
Group 42							Group 47
290/90 R38	83 kg (183 lb)	90 kg (198 lb)		156 kg (344 lb)	169 kg (373 lb)		380/90 R50	195 kg (430 lb)	206 kg (455 lb)
320/85 R38	92 kg (203 lb)	97 kg (214 lb)		172 kg (379 lb)	181 kg (399 lb)		320/90 R54	138 kg (305 lb)	258 kg (569 lb)
420/90 R30	178 kg (392 lb)	190 kg (419 lb)		334 kg (735 lb)	357 kg (787 lb)		520/85 R42	349 kg (770 lb)	371 kg (818 lb)
480/70 R30	182 kg (400 lb)	194 kg (427 lb)		340 kg (750 lb)	363 kg (800 lb)		710/70 R38	493 kg (1086 lb)	526 kg (1159 lb)
600/65 R28	231 kg (509 lb)	246 kg (543 lb)		433 kg (954 lb)	462 kg (1019 lb)		480/80 R46	292 kg (644 lb)	313 kg (690 lb)
Group 43							620/70 R42	411 kg (905 lb)	439 kg (967 lb)
380/80 R38	138 kg (304 lb)	148 kg (326 lb)		258 kg (569 lb)	278 kg (613 lb)		Group 48
420/85 R34	175 kg (386 lb)	187 kg (412 lb)		328 kg (723 lb)	351 kg (774 lb)		520/85 R46	375 kg (827 lb)	400 kg (882 lb)
480/70 R34	203 kg (448 lb)	216 kg (476 lb)		381 kg (840 lb)	405 kg (893 lb)		710/70 R42	523 kg (1154 lb)	558 kg (1230 lb)
540/65 R34	226 kg (498 lb)	239 kg (527 lb)		156 kg (344 lb)	169 kg (373 lb)		620/70 R46	421 kg (929 lb)	451 kg (995 lb)
600/70 R30	307 kg (677 lb)	326 kg (719 lb)		575 kg (1268 lb)	611 kg (1347 lb)		800/70 R38	663 kg (1462 lb)	707 kg (1559 lb)
							480/80 R50	288 kg (634 lb)	308 kg (678 lb)