Water as Tire Ballast: Free Today, Costly Tomorrow

Water has long been used as a tire ballast, especially when mixed with antifreeze or calcium in colder climates. It’s easily accessible and affordable. But that doesn’t make it the best choice.

Why Water Seems Like a Good Idea

• Readily Available
  Water is one of the most accessible ballast materials. If you have a hose, you can fill your tires — no need to purchase special fluids or wait for a delivery. For farmers and equipment operators working in rural areas, the convenience of using water right on the farm can make it feel like the obvious choice.

• Low Cost
  When it comes to price, it’s hard to beat water. It’s almost free if drawn from a well or only a small expense if using municipal water. Compared to specialized ballast fluids, water appears to be the most budget-friendly option at first glance.  

• Simple to Install
  Filling a tire with water doesn’t need to require specialized equipment or a professional installer. Many operators handle the process themselves with a basic pump or gravity-fed system. Because of that, water has long been viewed as a quick, no-fuss solution for anyone who needs additional traction and stability in their equipment.

Where Water Falls Short as a Ballast Solution

Freezing Problems
The biggest drawback with water is that it freezes at 32°F (0°C). In colder climates, this means tires can literally freeze solid, damaging both the tire and the rim. This makes it a poor option for many people operating equipment. Operators often try to solve this by adding antifreeze or calcium — but that introduces its own risks, including higher cost, toxicity to animals, and environmental hazards when there’s ever a leak.

Corrosion Risk
Plain water contributes to rust and corrosion inside the tire and on steel rims.  Over time, this weakens the rim structure and shortens the life of your equipment. Unlike specialized ballast fluids that protect metal, water has no corrosion inhibitors.

Limited Weight
While water does add weight, it’s not the heaviest option at 8.3 pounds per gallon.  Other ballast fluids, like Rim Guard, are significantly denser and provide more weight per gallon. That means you’ll get less traction and stability from water than you would from other fluid options.

Strategic Resource
Water is an essential commodity for everything that we do. While many of us consider it virtually free, we realize that its an increasingly contested resource. Humans need it, crops rely on it, livestock disappear without it, countries are fighting over it, and politicians want to regulate it. Stewardship of this vital commodity by farmers and ranchers is key for rural America’s success.

The Hidden Costs

The initial savings from using water are often wiped out by maintenance and replacement costs. Frozen ballast in tires can make equipment unusable when it's needed most and corroded rims can cost hundreds of dollars to repair.  If a tractor owner loses traction or rolls over due only having a small counterweight like water, the results can be devastating.

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Rim Guard Beet Juice Tire Ballast: Reliable in All Seasons

• Won’t Freeze, Even in Sub-Zero Temps
  One of the biggest advantages of beet juice tire ballast is its resistance to freezing. Unlike water, which freezes at 32°F (0°C), beet juice ballast stays liquid even in extreme cold — down to -35°F (-37°C). This ensures that your equipment remains operational through harsh winters without the risk of frozen tires or damage to rims. In most climates in the US and Canada we will experience temperatures below freezing.  Downtime in winter can be both costly and disruptive.

• 30% Heavier Than Water
  Weight is the primary reason for using ballast, and beet juice delivers more of it. It’s about 30% heavier than water at 10.7 pounds per gallon, which means each gallon adds more traction and stability to your tires. That extra weight translates into better pulling power, less wheel slip, and improved fuel efficiency because your equipment can get more done with less wasted motion. In practical terms, you’ll notice stronger, safer performance in the field and on tough terrain.

• Non-Corrosive and Safe
  Unlike water, beet juice tire ballast is non-corrosive. That means it won’t eat away at your rims, valve stems, or other components. Corrosion is one of the hidden costs of other ballast fluids, often leading to expensive rim replacements. With beet juice, you avoid that long-term damage, protecting your investment in both your equipment and your tires.

• Biodegradable and Eco-Friendly
  Spills and leaks happen, but with beet juice ballast you don’t have to worry about environmental damage. It’s made from an agricultural byproduct, so it’s both biodegradable and safe for soil, crops, and pets. If it ever leaks into a field, it simply breaks down naturally without harming the land or contaminating water sources. Beet juice is the environmentally responsible choice.

• It Existed Before Rim Guard
  The base product in Rim Guard is a result of sugar beet processing.  The creation of Rim Guard’s Beet Juice Tire Ballast is simply taking advantage of an output that that naturally occurs while beets are converted to sugar and molasses.  It's an efficient natural resource for safe tractor operation.  

Conclusion

Water might be free, but it's not without cost. For better traction, better protection, and better peace of mind, Rim Guard is the smart solution for year-round performance.

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

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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.

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