Filling Tires With Liquid Ballast

LX009450-UN-03JAN95

To fill a tire, jack up tractor and turn wheel so that the tire valve is at the top. Remove valve insert and screw water valve onto valve stem. While water is entering, air escapes through lateral bore in water valve. Stop filling tire when water drains from vent hole of valve. Depending on tire size, filling a tire takes 15—30 minutes. After adding liquid, screw in air valve and pump up tire to normal inflation pressure. Quantity of liquid ballast required varies depending on tire size and type. If in doubt, consult your John Deere dealer or tire manufacturer.

NOTE: Add calcium chloride to the water, NOT water to calcium chloride.

Do not use this antifreeze solution when filling radiator.

If low temperatures are expected, use an antifreeze solution. Tire manufacturers recommend a mixture of water and calcium chloride.

Suck antifreeze solution from an elevated tank. To speed up filling operation, use a pump (flush pump with clear water afterwards). To provide protection down to -25°C (-13°F), dissolve 34 kg (75 lb) of calcium chloride in 86 L (22.7 gal.) of water. This mixture makes 100 L (26.4 gal.) of antifreeze solution. This solution produces an increase in weight of 120 kg (269 lb).