Fluid loading of tires (ballast) questions

TheGriz

I have a Carryall 2 gas and a steep gravel driveway that I spin out on with the bed empty. I can get up the driveway with a load in the rear (like firewood or rocks). I have turf tires on the cart, but just ordered some lug ag tires for the rear. Non-lifted cart, so 18" tires. Should I load the tires with some fluid (windshield washer fluid) for better traction? I have heard of people doing it on mowers and we load our tractor tires, but has anyone done it on a golf cart? This cart will seldom see pavement, mostly gravel and farm use. I tried searching the forum to no avail.

This forum was a big help when I was getting the cart back running.

BGW

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kzguns

wonder if you can adapt wheel weights from a lawn mower?

Rooster59

Not sure how much volume you can get in 18" tires. May not be enough weight to make it worth while. Add to that the additional unsprung weight, and the ride will be rougher over uneven ground. Extra unsprung weight is meaningless with a tractor since it has no suspension but with springs/shocks I think I would avoid that option.

If it were me I might try adding weight low on the vehicle. Or as low as possible. Obviously something like a couple cement patio blocks take up little space but you might have them sliding around in the bed. Maybe a tube rear bumper made from schedule 80 pipe filled with water, concrete, etc. Just try to keep the weight above the springs instead of below the springs.

cgtech

Adding weight to the tires will also drastically reduce braking performance.

dundeebarnbuggy

Actually liquid weight, changes nothing about braking except it's mass. Slam on the brakes, and liquid just keeps rotating, take off is the same, the ballast slips inside the tire and only gradually starts to spin. It also causes the least wear on the cart and does not affect payload because it is in the tires. Now needing it well that depends. I would try the ag tires first without ballast, they will make a big difference all by themselves.

Zahmd

if you do decide to try liquid ballast I would NOT get calcium chloride. That's what they used to use for tractors. Its bad if you get in your eyes- but if it leaks will rust rims/metal pretty quik. Windsheild washer fluid might work- IDK. Antifreeze might too but of course is toxic to dogs should they chew on a tire or if you spring a leak. Could you try a dual rear wheel setup? Might look cool- of course you would need to fab up a spacer.Old gravely walkbehind tractors had some cast iron ones that are really heavy. Of course this might be a great reason to upgrade to a 4x 4 cart too- (if you let wife/gf/sig other get stuck you might have an easier time convincing them)

dundeebarnbuggy

One thing, calcium chloride is a lot heavier than WW fluid or antifreeze. If your tires don't leak they won't rust. If you are adding air frequently [which contains oxygen] that's when they rust. I have calcium in tires with no tubes going on 35 years. If you really don't want calcium there is a product called rim guard or beet juice which is more expensive but won't corrode when exposed to oxygen.

cgtech

Hmm, good point. I installed some foam filled golf cart tires, and they were horrible.

TheGriz

OK, so I went ahead and did it. I was able to fit 4 gallons of WW fluid in each 18" tire, so I figure that is 64 pounds down low.

Pictures are attached.

I bought the tires from an online buggy shop and they came mounted on the rims, so I had to do the 2x4 and truck trick to break the bead. Once broken, I just poured the WW fluid in each tire. A quick shot of air from the compressor and they were set again.

Nothing is easy, and I found I had a wheel stud that was spinning and couldn't get the lug nut off. I was able to fit an angle grinder in the old rim and cut off the lug nut. I knocked the old cut stud back, but ended up having to pull the axle to reset a new stud. Fun times at the parts store trying to match up a stud.

I also thought about the "sprung weight" and went to Tractor Supply and got a stall mat to lay in the bed. They sell a 36"x48"x1/2" mat that I cut to fit with the jigsaw. This might weigh 35 pounds.


I also mounted a LED light bar, this thing brings the daylight in the dark:


Spent two days doing all this and I think it is worth it. My shop help and his son took the cart to the top of the mountain tonight with no problems when in the past we could only make it halfway up.

I have yet to drive it, but I will update the progress when I do. Thanks for all your suggestions and advice.

Attached Images

	rear.jpg (191.6 KB, 0 views)
	side1.jpg (199.7 KB, 0 views)
	side2.jpg (201.8 KB, 0 views)
	bed.jpg (199.0 KB, 0 views)
	light.jpg (202.9 KB, 0 views)

ProjectClubCar

I am surprised those new tires look very aggressive, this must be one really steep driveway. I have similar tires to those, I have swamp fox tires on my cart, and I have never had to add anything to them.okay, i stand corrected. I have had to add slime to my tires but that's because I go hunting in South Texas, where cactus can ruin a tire very quickly.
But as for those tires themselves it would seem like all you would need to do is bag the tires a little. The tires I have allow me to go anywhere up anything down anything and not spin. You will find those tires do the same you probably didn't even need to put water in them, there that aggressive of a tire, but it's already done so .
I am that guy that looks for the steepest hill, the deepest mud and tallest sand dunes.
These tires really dig when they need to.
I'd like to see a picture of the driveway, sounds like a challenge!!

Nice cart!!