Chlorides and Corrosion: Why is Beet Juice Better?

Chlorides are salts.  Calcium chloride, sodium chloride, and magnesium chloride will all be mixed with water to create a tire ballast.  The chlorides deter freezing and add weight.  

‍

But today’s tractor owners are looking beyond weight alone — they’re looking at the long-term impact on their equipment, the environment, and their bottom line.

‍

Why Chlorides Became Popular

Farmers were seeking a counterweight for their tractors.  Chlorides when mixed with water are relatively heavy and have a lower freezing point. In the sixties and seventies, they got the job done when it comes to adding weight for traction.  For many years, they were the standard choice. Companies in the road deicing business enjoyed selling them as ballast as an income source in the warm summer months.

‍

The Corrosion Problem

Unfortunately, the benefits on chlorides come at a cost:

• High Corrosiveness: Calcium chloride, sodium chloride and magnesium chloride are extremely corrosive. They can cause rapid rusting of rims, valve stems, and wheel wells.  Magnesium chloride has also proven corrosive to rubber and plastic.

• Tube Requirement: Chlorides must be used with inner tubes, adding cost and complexity to the installation.

• Costly Repairs: Corrosion damage can lead to expensive repairs or full wheel replacements.

‍

Environmental Hazards

Spills or leaks of chloride-based ballast can be damaging to land and water. Once the chloride rusts the valve stem or creates a small hole in the rim, a leak is inevitable.  

‍

Chlorides are toxic to plants, animals, and people. In many states, disposal is regulated due to their hazardous nature.  Goggles, gloves, respirator and close toe footwear are all recommended personal protection equipment (PPE) recommended for handling the dangers of chlorides.

‍

Are There Other Choices?

As farmers experienced the corrosive and toxicity of chlorides they began to search for alternatives.  Deicing companies decided to give their calcium products fancy marketing names to hide their underlying secret.  Inventor Glendon Daly chose to go to his workshop and start tinkering.  He eventually realized that with the hardy, cold climate, sugar beets growing in Michigan were a great natural resource for his solution.  In 1997 Rim Guard’s Beet Juice Tire Ballast was granted a US patent.  

‍

How Rim Guard Measures Up

Rim Guard’s Beet Juice Tire Ballast offers the weight (10.7 pounds per gallon) as does a chloride mix, but without corrosion or environmental risks. Rim Guard is:

• Non-corrosive to rims and valve stems

• Naturally Safe for land, pets, and people

• No inner tubes required, simplifying installation

• Freeze Protected to – 35°F

• Supported by dealers with professional service and experience

‍

Bottom Line

Chloride ballasts might have been a solution long ago, but long-term damage to your equipment is significant. Rim Guard’s Beet Juice Tire Ballast offers today’s tractor owner a heavy-duty, corrosion-free, freeze proof alternative that protects your investment in equipment, livestock and your land.

‍

To find your closest Rim Guard dealer visit https://www.rimguardsolutions.com/find-a-dealer

‍

If you have any questions about Rim Guard or getting it installed in your tires, you can always reach out to Rim Guard at info@rimguardsolutions.com or by calling 616-608-7745.

‍