Anti-freeze

[Sleufoot]

I was wondering what most of you that own old tractors use for anti-freeze coolant in your units? Tom in Mn.

 

[GChief]

Pre-Mix cheap stuff. Its going to be better than anything mine has seen in the last 87 years.

 

[JD Dave]

I use good old green anti-freeze in all older equipment. Newer engines with, for instance, aluminum parts may require a different product. Generally, the more often you drain and refill is more important than what product you use.

 

[DPittman]

I reuse whatever green stuff got drained out of something more expensive. Couple of them have new

 

[Richard G.]

I use good old green anti-freeze in all older equipment. Newer engines with, for instance, aluminum parts may require a different product. Generally, the more often you drain and refill is more important than what product you use.

Same here.

 

[rrlund]

Green stuff that has to be mixed 50/50 Thirteen tractors and I use it in them all, trailer queens and daily working tractors.

 

[Duner Wi]

Historic green , one notch up from alcohol.

 

[casecollectorsc]

Durex green concentrated for 8.99 a gallon at Runnings.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

Plain old green for all my machines.

 

[Ray,IN]

I forget the brand, but I use anti-freeze with SCA pre-mixed into the 50/50 jug. This is important for a sleeved diesel engine.

 

[tom upton]

Depends. deisel engines with liners you want to use the right stuff.

 

[Tony in SD]

I use what the manual says to use.

 

[lodoc]

I never buy 'pre-mixed'. Whatever the correct antifreeze indicated for your application getting the correct ratio to give at least 50:50 important especially in northern climates. You drain the old, flush w fresh water and / or your preferred 'cooling system cleaner' running and circulating multiple times until it's clear. Then drain ALL out you can knowing there is still some 'clean, plain water' in the system. Determine the TOTAL capacity of your cooling system. Add HALF the TOTAL capacity of the system with full strength 100% antifreeze. Then top off with good quality water. That way you know it's full and ratio correct. Check w hydrometer if you have one.

 

[moresmoke]

I use Deere Coolgard in everything. It is a bit more expensive, but the dealer 3 miles away will sell at bulk price if you bring containers. It is compatible with all systems, and can be mixed with other types in limited amounts.

Otherwise, I have a 55 miles drive to get anything less expensive.

 

[Richard G.]

I never buy 'pre-mixed'. Whatever the correct antifreeze indicated for your application getting the correct ratio to give at least 50:50 important especially in northern climates. You drain the old, flush w fresh water and / or your preferred 'cooling system cleaner' running and circulating multiple times until it's clear. Then drain ALL out you can knowing there is still some 'clean, plain water' in the system. Determine the TOTAL capacity of your cooling system. Add HALF the TOTAL capacity of the system with full strength 100% antifreeze. Then top off with good quality water. That way you know it's full and ratio correct. Check w hydrometer if you have one.

Lodoc, I agree with you on buying concentrated, but a lot of people don't know that in tractors without a water pump like a JD A or Farmall A, you should premix before you put it in.
Antifreeze and water have different specific gravities and will stay separate for a long time.

 

[ole fred]

Lodoc, I agree with you on buying concentrated, but a lot of people don't know that in tractors without a water pump like a JD A or Farmall A, you should premix before you put it in.
Antifreeze and water have different specific gravities and will stay separate for a long time.

You are correct, You're the first person I've ever seem mention that. Years ago, I had a JD A. I dumped in the antifreeze and filled it up with water ans started it up. It soon boiled. I drained the radiator and poured it back in and no problem.

 

[Richard G.]

You are correct, You're the first person I've ever seem mention that. Years ago, I had a JD A. I dumped in the antifreeze and filled it up with water ans started it up. It soon boiled. I drained the radiator and poured it back in and no problem.

Yep.
In the winter, the water can freeze and crack the engine or ruin the radiator.
It won't circulate in a thermosiphon system unless it is mixed.

 

[ss55]

I was wondering what most of you that own old tractors use for anti-freeze coolant in your units? Tom in Mn.

Standard green ethylene glycol concentrate mixed with distilled water to -43F protection.

 

[Bob Bancroft]

Standard green ethylene glycol concentrate mixed with distilled water to -43F protection.

Yep, I keep one gallon of green mixed with one gallon of distilled water in a 2.5 gal jug. So I never have to worry about diluting anything. I also keep a similar mixture of "gold" on hand in case one of the modern motor vehicles needs some.
But I wonder, is grocery store distilled water really distilled?

 

[Rich'sToys]

We run a dehumidifier in our basement during the summer. I save some of that water in jugs and use that. That's about as distilled as you can get.