Proper Antifreeze

Anyone know what type antifreeze goes in a MF 1739 compact tractor?

All the manual says is "long life" antifreeze. I bought some at the auto supply, said long life on the label, turned out to be the red stuff. The factory coolant is yellow/green.

I went ahead and put it in, but having second thoughts. Should I change it to something else?

Not sure what you have but some colors will not mix. Turns to gel. Parts store should be able to tell you.

Call your local dealer.......they should be able to help you

Hello Steve, you cannot rely on the colours to identify antifreeze. It is always far safer to buy the correct type and ensure that the engine block and radiator and cab heater if fitted are completely drained of coolant. Replace the the dilution level as required and mix an additional small amount to top up as required.
There are many different brands of antifreeze products and ones that meet BS 6580-1992 and 2010 (in the UK)are safe to use in all older tractors and many more modern ones. Engines meeting the Tier emission standards have more specific coolant/antifreeze requirements due to increased combustion temperatures and cylinder pressures. The operator?s manual or agent should be consulted for the correct antifreeze/coolant and dilution. Due to the different formulation, using OAT ? Organic Acid Technology extended life antifreezes lasting up to 5 years, may not be suitable for older tractors. To achieve this life a 50/50% mix is required for protection down to -34? C.
Two types of ?treated? water are available, De-ionised (de-mineralised) and Distilled. De-ionised water will have been mechanically processed and minerals, salts and other organic elements will have been removed before being UV sterilized. Distilled water has been boiled and the steam condensed back to become distilled water. Distilled water is NOT boiled water. De-ionised water should be used with OAT antifreeze concentrates. John Deere carried out much of the original research and from this an ASTM standard, ASTM D7583 was established. Clean rainwater may be used as an alternative.
The degree of dilution will depend on several factors, your location, where the tractor is stored, such as in the prevailing wind if in a lean-to for example and how much of a safety margin you wish to build in, in the event of the weather going ?extreme? for us even in the southern half of the UK. In January 2010, Benson in Oxfordshire, England, saw the temperature drop to -17.7?C.
DavidP, South Wales

Oh David.... minus 17 is a nice sunny January day where Inno lives! But then, his house and barn plumbing are designed to survive even less, UK plumbing doesn't expect this sort of thing eh??

And where Jason and Maxwell live... people KNOW the difference between boiled and 'distilled'... not just H2O...

When I get a new to me machine and don't know the old antifreeze... simpler and safer to drain out the old, flush with a garden hose for a minute, then put in new- and label it for topping up.... BTW, a belated Merry Christmas to you and yours too!

I think Prestone has a long life anti-freeze that I think is colored green. Prestone claims that their long life is compatible with any antifreeze/coolant regardless of color.

Hi Tony,
Agreed that -17 might not be a lot in some places but for the UK its exceptional. Certainly a lot of people on this
side of the pond don't know what distilled water is or how it is obtained. For many its something that you put in
the battery!!!!!
Always better to start off with a new fill.
Belated Merry Christmas in return and a Happy New Year to come.
DavidP

Thanks everyone!

I think what I'll do is flush it, drain it, and start over.

This is a new tractor, a little 3 cylinder, turbo charged, high tech, emission controlled diesel. The Zerex GO-5, mixed 50/50 with distilled water, seems to be popular with diesels, so it should be fine for this. And I will label it and make a note in the owners manual, good idea!

I'm in north central Texas, so extreme cold is not a problem (thank God!), I just need the corrosion and cavitation protection.

But it probably won't be in there very long, rats are attacking it! They have already chewed 4 hoses and a wiring harness!

Heavily power wash the thing with pinsol. Don't rinse if off either. Put steel wool into all the nooks and crannies. We have the same pack rat problem here in south central colorado. Add a few cats to your animal collection too, helps a LOT!