TH103 Telehandler Caterpillar

Illustration 1	g00730095

Tires that are installed with liquid ballast have a label that is located on the frame next to the tire. Not all machines are equipped with liquid ballast.

Checking the Tire Ballast Level

1. Park the machine on level ground. Fully retract and fully lower the boom. Move the transmission control to the NEUTRAL position and ensure that the parking brake is engaged. Shut off the engine.

2. Ensure that the tire is properly inflated. Position the wheel with the tire valve at the highest point. Ensure that the tire is cold when you check the tire inflation pressure. Use a tire pressure gauge that is suitable for checking tires that are filled with liquid ballast. Refer to the topics in the following list for more information on tire inflation:

   • Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Tire Shipping Pressure"

   • Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Tire Inflation with Air"

   • Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Tire Inflation with Nitrogen"

   • Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Tire Inflation Pressure Adjustment"

3. Rinse the tire pressure gauge with clean water after use. Liquid tire ballast is corrosive.

4. Rotate the wheel until the valve stem is in the position that is indicated in table 1 according to the tire size. The figures in the “Position of Valve Stem” column relate to the position of the hour hand on a clock.
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   Table 1

   Checking the Tire Ballast Level
   Tire Size	Position of Valve Stem	Distance (A) From Ground
   14.0-24 16PR	10:30	750 mm (29.5 inch)
   (1)17.5-R25 GP2B	7:00	400 mm (15.75 inch)

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   (1)	Radial Construction

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   Illustration 2	g00677441

5. Check distance (A) from the ground to the valve stem. Refer to illustration 2 and table 1 for the correct distance according to the tire size.

6. Remove the cap from the valve stem.
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   The liquid ballast in the tires is corrosive. Protect the eyes and face from the spray that comes out of the valve stem during this procedure. Failure to protect the eyes and face could result in personal injury.

7. Check for fluid by depressing the core in the valve stem. Fluid or mist should spray from the valve stem. If only air comes from the valve stem, the machine may need additional ballast.

Mixing the Tire Ballast

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Liquid ballast is installed in the tires of certain machines. Failure to use tires with the correct amount of ballast on these machines could result in reduced machine stability which could result in injury or death. Ensure that you are familiar with the machine requirement. The weight of the ballast specified must not be exceeded. Machines which require ballast in tires have an instruction located with the load tables on the dash panel.

Liquid ballast for tires is a mixture of water and calcium chloride powder (CaCl). The CaCl is an additive which will provide antifreeze protection. If a tire is repaired or replaced, the correct quantity and the correct mix of CaCl and water must be installed before the machine is returned to service. Machine stability will be adversely affected if the correct tire ballast is not installed.

The mixture of the tire ballast that is shipped from the factory will give antifreeze protection to −29 °C (−20 °F) unless any special requirements are defined. The proportion for the mixture of the tire ballast that is shipped from the factory is shown in table 2.

Installing the Tire Ballast

1. Mix calcium chloride powder (CaCl) with clean water in the required proportions. Add the powder to the water. Use a container with an on/off valve and hose. Contact your tire dealer for information on the proper tool to use for mixing and installing the tire ballast.

2. Position a jack under the axle pad and raise the machine until the tire is clear of the ground. Support the machine with a suitable stand under the axle. Rotate the wheel until the valve stem is in the position that is indicated in table 3 according to the tire size. The figures in the “Position of Valve Stem” column relate to the position of the hour hand on a clock.
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   Table 3

   Installing the Tire Ballast
   Tire Size	Position of Valve Stem
   14.0-24 16PR	11:00
   (1)17.5-R25 GP2B	7:30

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   (1)	Radial Construction

3. Deflate the tire.

   Note: If a new tire and wheel assembly are installed, the tire must be partly inflated with air in order to seat the tire bead onto the rim. Deflate the tire.

4. Replace the valve core with a special filler valve for liquids. Contact your tire dealer for information on the proper tool to use. Connect the hose from the container to the filler valve. Position the container with the on/off valve above the tire.

5. Open the on/off valve. As the liquid enters the tire, air will be discharged through the vent tube on the filler valve.

6. When fluid comes out of the valve stem, close the on/off valve. Ensure that the valve stem is still in the position that is indicated in table 3. Remove the hose from the filler valve. Replace the filler valve with the original valve core.

7. Inflate the tire to the correct pressure. Remove the stand which is supporting the machine. Lower the machine to the ground.