230 Loaded Tires

[Danny Prosser]

Morning everyone. I've got a 230 MF diesel with loaded back tires. I don't know with what they were like that when I bought it. I know nothing at all a bout loaded tires except their heavy and bent my angle iron ramps when I loaded it on my trailer. I want to drain them but as I said I know nothing about it. What do I need and how do I do it? Thanks!

 

[Caryc]

My first thought is why do you want to drain them? People load those tires for a reason...TRACTION. They also help as a counter balance for an FEL.

 

[Danny Prosser]

No FEL don't need additional traction just makes them harder to deal with if I need to remove them and more weight to carry if I load it on my trailer. Also have you ever tried to go down the road in high gear with loaded back tires? You can't it will bounce you off the road after you get going pretty good. I'd rather be able to drive down the road.

 

[Caryc]

It's your tractor, deal with it as you will. I have two tractors, both with FEL's and loaded tires. I use them on my five acres here in the hills. I don't think I've ever used them in any gear higher than 2nd.

As far as draining them, just remove the valve cores. Any idiot can do that. The only way you'll get absolutely all the liquid out is to remove the tires and break them down.

I used my tractors as "tractors" not cars.

 

[Danny Prosser]

It's your tractor, deal with it as you will. I have two tractors, both with FEL's and loaded tires. I use them on my five acres here in the hills. I don't think I've ever used them in any gear higher than 2nd.

As far as draining them, just remove the valve cores. Any idiot can do that. The only way you'll get absolutely all the liquid out is to remove the tires and break them down.

I used my tractors as "tractors" not cars.

Well thanks for telling me I'm an idiot but your wrong. Yes a idiot would know how to take the valve core out I've been fixing tractor tire flats since I was 16 just never dealt with a loaded tire thank you very much. I meant how to go about catching it to keep it from getting beside my valve stem into the rim in case it's caustic. And maybe you need to take yours down the road in a higher gear and see what you think! Oh but you probably already know it seems you think you do anyway.

 

[Caryc]

Well thanks for telling me I'm an idiot but your wrong. Yes a idiot would know how to take the valve core out I've been fixing tractor tire flats since I was 16 just never dealt with a loaded tire thank you very much. I meant how to go about catching it to keep it from getting beside my valve stem into the rim in case it's caustic. And maybe you need to take yours down the road in a higher gear and see what you think! Oh but you probably already know it seems you think you do anyway.

You say "it's caustic". Do you know what they are loaded with? As far as draining them, I supposed you could remove the stem with the tire at the 12 o'clock position then put a tight fitting plastic tube over the stem and turn the tire with the stem at 6 o'clock and let it drain. Sorry I don't have any better info for you but I've never heard anyone be so concerned about draining the tires as you seem to be.

I have a well on my property so the only time I've drained a tire, it was away from my well since I didn't know what it was filled with. I don't believe you're an idiot.

 

[Jim.ME]

As you plan, it is best to consider the tires have calcium in them until proven otherwise.

Jack the tractor so the tire is clear of the ground. Turn the stem up to 12 o'clock and release the air. With the core out put a small vinyl/plastic tube or hose over the stem, you will likely need to run the fluid out into a bucket then dump it into a plastic barrel, unless you have a place you can park the tractor, so the bottom of the tire is above barrel height. Keep turning the tire to lower the stem as the fluid drains out, turn it up to stop the flow so you can empty the bucket. When the stem is at the bottom you can lower the jack to compress the tire some. This will not get all the fluid out.

Another option is to use a pump powered by a drill to pull the fluid out using the same process of stem at the top and rolling it down. It may get more of the fluid out, if the tube pulls away from the tire and collapses as the pump pulls a vacuum. The pump may well be junk next time you try to use it. Again, it is doubtful you will get all the fluid out.

To me your trailer ramps must be lightly built if they bent from a MF230 with loaded tires running up them. Depending on your tire size you will likely lighten it up 600 to 800 lbs. total.

 

[Bob NY]

No FEL don't need additional traction just makes them harder to deal with if I need to remove them and more weight to carry if I load it on my trailer. Also have you ever tried to go down the road in high gear with loaded back tires? You can't it will bounce you off the road after you get going pretty good. I'd rather be able to drive down the road.

How fast does that tractor go? I have driven tractors with loaded tires at 22 mph on the road and they didn't bounce.