Tractor owners have discussed/debated/argued/fought over what to use for rear wheel ballast for many years now. Rather than stoke those fires, I thought I would use the latest version of ChatGPT (AI), and I asked this question:

"How does using RimGuard compare to using RV antifreeze or windshield washer and water combinations?" It only took seconds before I got this response:

Great question — lots of tractor owners debate RimGuard (beet juice) versus RV antifreeze and windshield washer fluid/water mixes. Each has different long-range implications for weight, freeze protection, safety, cost, and maintenance. Here’s a side-by-side breakdown:

1. Weight (Ballast Value)

RimGuard (beet juice): ~10.7–11.0 lb/gal. Heavier than water, washer fluid, or RV antifreeze, so you get more weight in the same tire volume.

RV Antifreeze (propylene glycol): ~8.3–8.6 lb/gal (similar to water). Much lighter than RimGuard, so you’d need larger tires or more volume to get equivalent weight.

Windshield washer fluid + water: ~7.6–8.0 lb/gal depending on mix. Also lighter, similar to RV antifreeze.

👉 If maximum ballast is your priority, RimGuard wins hands-down.

2. Freeze Protection

RimGuard: Good to about -35°F (manufacturer spec). Works in most U.S./Canada climates.

RV Antifreeze: Usually protects to about -20°F to -50°F, depending on concentration. Very reliable for cold weather.

Washer fluid: Cheap blue washer fluid is generally good to -20°F, some premium types to -25°F. Mixed with water, protection drops proportionally.

👉 In very cold climates (northern tier), RV antifreeze is safest, though RimGuard usually holds up fine unless you’re in Arctic temps.

3. Corrosion & Rim Life

RimGuard: Non-corrosive. Doesn’t attack rims like calcium chloride.

RV Antifreeze: Non-corrosive. Safe for rims and rubber.

Washer fluid: Usually non-corrosive (mostly water + methanol + dye). Generally safe, though cheaper formulations may have additives that are harsher on rubber long-term.

👉 All three are better than calcium chloride. RimGuard and RV antifreeze are most rim-friendly.

4. Safety / Environmental Impact

RimGuard: Non-toxic, biodegradable, safe for livestock, pets, crops. A spill is a sticky mess, but not poisonous.

RV Antifreeze: Propylene glycol is considered “low toxicity,” but not something you’d want in soil or near livestock in quantity.

Washer fluid: Contains methanol, which is toxic to pets, livestock, and people. A leak or spill in a pasture or near animals could be risky.

👉 For farms with animals or kids around, RimGuard is by far the safest.

5. Cost & Availability

RimGuard: Usually $3–4 per gallon installed at a dealer. You pay for the product + service. Not DIY-friendly unless you have the pump setup.

RV Antifreeze: $2–3/gal retail (cheaper in bulk, especially off-season). DIY-friendly.

Washer fluid: Cheapest option, sometimes <$2/gal at big box stores. Easy DIY fill.

👉 Washer fluid is cheapest, but RimGuard costs more because of its weight advantage and environmental safety.

6. Practical Maintenance / Long-Range Issues

RimGuard:

Heavy → more stress on axles/bearings (true for any ballast).

Can be messy if you ever have to drain it.

Valve stems need to be liquid-rated to avoid clogging/leaks.

RV Antifreeze:

Light → may not provide enough counterweight for loader work.

Easy to top off or replace if a tube fails.

Washer fluid:

Lightest ballast, so often insufficient for heavy work.

Toxicity risk if a tube leaks into a barnyard or field.

Methanol can evaporate slowly through rubber tubes over years, reducing freeze protection.

Bottom Line

If you want maximum weight, long-term rim protection, and farm-safe environmental qualities → RimGuard is best (but higher cost, dealer install).

If you want a cheap, DIY, decent freeze-proof fill and don’t need maximum weight → RV antifreeze is a safer choice than washer fluid.

If you just want something quick and inexpensive, and you don’t have animals around → windshield washer fluid works, but it’s light and carries a toxicity risk.

👉 A good rule of thumb:

Heavy loader work / hilly terrain / livestock nearby → RimGuard.

Moderate work / DIY budget-conscious → RV antifreeze.

Light duty / cheapest option → washer fluid.

Good post Ed.
I stopped by the dealer up in my little home town this morning and asked about getting Rimguard put into the 14.9x30 tires on my loader tractor.
He looked up the size and said it would be about a Grand.
I do need more weight but that's not gonna happen

Yeah, cost is the big inhibitor with that stuff. You might be able to find rear wheel weights for that kind of money, and you can always sell them later to recoup most of the expense. You could couple that with the other two options for some serious ballast.

Great comparison Ed!

Thanks for the post!

Tyman

Thanks, Ed. I have been wanting to load my tires on the JD 3032E with loader. There are occasions when it gets a bit light in the A-- and I have to engage the 4 wheel drive to move. (I know, not a Ford but it has what I needed.)