water filled tires on smaller bobcat?

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ryantowry_81

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Jul 12, 2016
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Anyone ever looked at water filled or weighted tires on a smaller bobcat like my 530? I was thinking the weighted tires would give a little extra counterweight for lift and help with traction without disrupting the balance of the machine. I feel like even with an empty bucket all the way up my 530 feels unstable. anyone have any thoughts?
 

farmshop

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Mar 27, 2014
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As long as it doesn't freeze water is fine. In freezing temps chloride solution won't freeze and is heavier. Problem with any fluid fill is when you get a flat you have to deal with replacing fluid and chloride is corrosive.
 
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ryantowry_81

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Jul 12, 2016
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As long as it doesn't freeze water is fine. In freezing temps chloride solution won't freeze and is heavier. Problem with any fluid fill is when you get a flat you have to deal with replacing fluid and chloride is corrosive.
Yeah chloride sounds tricky. I was thinking my tires are getting older and somewhat cracked I wonder if filling all 4 tires 95% with something like tire slime and then pressureizing with air would work. Keep them from leaking if they get worse and not as detrimental to the steel rim. I could always use a glycol solution. We use propylene glycol all the time at work in large quantities, like 3-4 thousand gallons at a time. I bet I could get a good deal on enough to fill my tires. I would have to check on chemical compatability still Do you think I should be concerned at all about additional rotating mass being hard on bearings and what not?
 

farmshop

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Mar 27, 2014
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Yeah chloride sounds tricky. I was thinking my tires are getting older and somewhat cracked I wonder if filling all 4 tires 95% with something like tire slime and then pressureizing with air would work. Keep them from leaking if they get worse and not as detrimental to the steel rim. I could always use a glycol solution. We use propylene glycol all the time at work in large quantities, like 3-4 thousand gallons at a time. I bet I could get a good deal on enough to fill my tires. I would have to check on chemical compatability still Do you think I should be concerned at all about additional rotating mass being hard on bearings and what not?
I know people that do it without problems. Slime would workas would antifreeze. In bigger tires I have used 1/2 tire sealant and 1/2 antifreeze. At 8-10# per gallon it wouldn't take long to add some weight. Foam fill is also a option granted more money
 

SkidRoe

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Dec 10, 2009
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I know people that do it without problems. Slime would workas would antifreeze. In bigger tires I have used 1/2 tire sealant and 1/2 antifreeze. At 8-10# per gallon it wouldn't take long to add some weight. Foam fill is also a option granted more money
If you go to a truck service shop, they would likely be happy to give you as much used 50/50 antifreeze as you want. I know I have seen tables some where that tell you how much weight you can add to a wheel by liquid filling it. On a skidsteer, it will be 10's of pounds, not 100's.
Cheers - SR
 

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