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Writer's pictureJere Folgert

Beet Juice and Tractor Tires

Updated: Jan 12

QUESTION: I've Been Told That I can Add Beet Juice to my Front Tractor Tires to Add Weight. What? Is This Possible?


ANSWER: Yes, beet juice can be put in tractor tires. It is a non-toxic, biodegradable, and water-soluble liquid that is heavier than water and more freeze-resistant than other liquid ballast options. Beet juice is also non-corrosive, so it can be used in both tubed and tubeless tires. This is also referred to as "Beet Ballast your tractor tires". Our tractors take a beating. Though, they can benefit from Beets.





Picture this: Old Bessie, your trusty tractor, raring to go but facing a muddy mountain ahead. Just the thought of her front wheels bucking up and sending you skyward makes your knees wobble. Well, hold onto your overalls, 'cause there's a secret weapon in the shed: beet juice!



Yep, that vibrant, earthy elixir you usually toss into your morning smoothie? Turns out, it's a tractor whisperer too. Pour a gallon or two of that ruby goodness into your front tires, watch the pressure gauge tick up happily, and feel the difference. Bessie's gonna be as grounded as a prize-winning pumpkin!

But why beet juice, you ask? Well, imagine a weightlifter chugging gallons of water before a competition. Not ideal, right? Beet juice, on the other hand, is like protein powder for your tires. It's denser than water, packing a whopping 11 pounds per gallon. That's like adding a couple of toddler tantrums to each tire! Plus, it's freeze-resistant, so Old Bessie can conquer even the frostiest fields.


And did I mention it's all-natural and won't corrode your precious rims like some other weight options? Bonus points for keeping Mother Nature happy! So there you have it, folks. Beet juice: the secret sauce to a smooth, buck-free ride. Now go forth and conquer those mountains, one ruby-red tire at a time!



Remember, adding beet juice doesn't replace proper traction techniques, so be cautious on those slopes! But with a little red magic, you and Old Bessie can tackle any terrain with confidence, leaving only a trail of laughter (and maybe a few stray beet stains) in your wake.





To put beet juice in your tractor tires, you will need to:

  1. Deflate the tires.

  2. Rotate the tires so that the valve stems are at the top.

  3. Remove the valve cores.

  4. Use a pump to add the beet juice to the tires.

  5. Replace the valve cores.

Yes, beet juice can freeze. However, it has a lower freezing point than water, so it will take longer to freeze. The freezing point of beet juice is about 20 degrees Fahrenheit (-6 degrees Celsius).


A Fun Story


"Ken was a farmer who loved growing garlic, but he noticed that his little tractor would rise like a bronco when he would till the soil. When his tractor rose up, he dropped down. He needed a way to keep his useful tiller level to the ground.


One day, he heard about a new way to ballast tractor tires with beet juice. He decided to give it a try.


Ken went to the local tire store and asked for a few gallons of beet juice. The guy at the tire store thought Ken was Crazy. "Beet Juice," the man asked. Then, Ken asked for the owner. The owner smiled and told Ken that his Grandpa also used Beet juice. The owner provided Ken with four gallons of thick red liquid. He then took the beet juice back to his farm and added it to his tractor tires.


The next day, Ken went out to plow his fields. As he was plowing, he noticed that his tractor was leaving a strange trail behind it. The trail was red and sticky, and it smelled like beets.


Ken realized that the beet juice was leaking out of his tractor tires. His tires were old, his tire tubes had a leak. What was he thinking? He should have gotten new tires and tubes before adding the beet juice. He tried to stop the leak, but it was no use. The beet juice was everywhere.


Ken's neighbors saw the trail of beet juice and started laughing. They called him "Beet Juice Ken" from then on.


Ken eventually replaced his worn-out tractor tires and tubes and refilled the tires with heavy beet juice. The added weight in the front tires really did the trick and he was so happy."


Beet juice contains sugar, which lowers its freezing point. Sugar molecules interfere with the formation of ice crystals, which is what causes water to freeze. The more sugar that is present in the water, the lower the freezing point will be. If you are storing beet juice in a cold environment, it is a good idea to keep it in an airtight container. This will help to prevent it from freezing and spoiling.


It is important to note that beet juice can be sticky and messy, so it is best to wear gloves and old clothes when handling it. You should also make sure to clean up any spills immediately.

Here are some of the benefits of using beet juice in tractor tires:

  • It can improve traction and stability.

  • It can reduce the risk of tipping.

  • It can increase pulling power.

  • It can help to protect the tires from wear and tear.

  • It is a sustainable and environmentally friendly option.


Beet juice weighs more than water because it contains more dissolved solids. Dissolved solids are substances that are dissolved in water, such as sugar, salt, and minerals. Beet juice contains a high concentration of dissolved solids, which makes it heavier than water. The density of beet juice is about 1.04 grams per milliliter, while the density of water is about 1.00 grams per milliliter. This means that a given volume of beet juice will weigh about 4% more than a given volume of water. The high concentration of dissolved solids in beet juice is also what gives it its characteristic color and flavor.


Beet juice is a byproduct of the sugar beet manufacturing process. It is a non-toxic, biodegradable, and water-soluble liquid that is heavier than water and more freeze-resistant than other liquid ballast options. Beet juice is also non-corrosive, so it can be used in both tubed and tubeless tires.


In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using beet juice as a liquid ballast for tractors. There are a number of benefits to using beet juice as a liquid ballast, including:

  • It can improve traction and stability.

  • It can reduce the risk of tipping.

  • It can increase pulling power.

  • It can help to protect the tires from wear and tear.

  • It is a sustainable and environmentally friendly option.


One of the biggest benefits of using beet juice as a liquid ballast is that it can help to improve traction and stability. When beet juice is added to the tires of a tractor, it helps to distribute the weight of the tractor more evenly, which can help to prevent the tractor from tipping over. Beet juice can also help to improve traction, which can be especially helpful in wet or icy conditions.


Another benefit of using beet juice as a liquid ballast is that it can help to reduce the risk of tipping. When a tractor is loaded with heavy equipment, it is more likely to tip over. Beet juice can help to reduce the risk of tipping by adding weight to the bottom of the tractor, which helps to lower the center of gravity.


Beet juice can also help to increase pulling power. When a tractor is pulling a heavy load, it can put a lot of strain on the tires. Beet juice can help to reduce the strain on the tires by adding weight to them, which can help to improve the traction of the tires.


Beet juice can also help to protect the tires from wear and tear. When a tractor is operating in wet or icy conditions, the tires can wear down quickly. Beet juice can help to protect the tires from wear and tear by adding weight to them, which can help to reduce the amount of slippage that occurs.

Finally, beet juice is a sustainable and environmentally friendly option. Beet juice is a byproduct of the sugar beet manufacturing process, so it is a renewable resource. Beet juice is also biodegradable, so it will not harm the environment if it is spilled.


If you are looking for a safe, effective, and sustainable way to ballast your tractor tires, beet juice is a great option.


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Mr. Jere Folgert is the owner of GroEat Garlic Farm in Bozeman, Montana. GroEat Farmis a small, sustainable family farm located in the beautiful Hyalite Foothills, in the shadows of the Gallatin Mountain Range. The hardneck varieties that they grow on their farm flourish, due to the combination of the very cold winters, heavy snowpack, moist spring, temperate summers, and the nutrient-rich and dynamic alluvial soils, washed down from the Gallatin Mountain Range.







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