Much chagrined checked antifreeze on stored tractors

RayP(MI) · Dec 20, 2015

And glad I did. Two of them were not ready for winter. Drained some and added full strength to one, another is draining and will get a complete replacemnt. We get temps as low as -10 or -15F several times a winter so critical to have antifreeze up to snuff.

If you haven't checked yours, you been warned!

Zachary Hoyt · Dec 20, 2015

Thanks for the reminder. I checked mine a few weeks ago. Both tractors maxed out the tester. I have seen it get down to -35F here but only twice in 14 years. The crawler I'm trying to fix didn't have enough in it to get a full tank in the tester but I had to drain it anyway to take the radiator off to get the hydraulic pump off the front of the engine, and I'll check it in the bucket before I put it back in the engine.
Zach

Bob Bancroft · Dec 20, 2015

I am much more concerned about having anti freeze around in the warm weather, so I don't ever add just water. I keep a 50/50 mix of AF and distilled water in an old 2.5 gal. chemical jug for adding at all times. So far, so good.

I learned the hard way not to trust anyone else checking AF. The company truck I drove froze up one cold morning shortly after I left home. A co-worker had been tasked with checking everything. Fortunately there was the old gas station on a four corners, and I was able to cover the radiator with my old coat, it thawed, I bought some AF with the little cash I had, and off to work. Most of these little old stations are no longer here. This was about 40 years ago.

dr sportster · Dec 20, 2015

I picked up my tester and the little extension hose was missing. Since I am the only one who goes in my barn a mouse must have ran off with it. I have a bad feeling if I don't start checking solutions soon. Warning taken.

wolfman · Dec 20, 2015

I have one newer model (2006) tractor. Tested its coolant with the old floating balls gauge; only good to 5 degrees. Used the newer type gauge for the new-type antifreeze, it said good to 5 below. Tempted to drain and refill with new coolant as we get weather down to 10 or 15 below a couple times. Could mixing new-style and old-style antifreeze be a problem? If it's good to 5 below on a stored tractor would 15 below freeze or just slush?

NY 986 · Dec 20, 2015

I check mine once in October and then any unit I add AF to I recheck right ahead of subfreezing weather. We are still running the combine at present so I think I will recheck even though I have not added any AF (peace of mind) and the 4010 which took some AF earlier. Money is too tight not to take a few minutes and make sure.

old popper · Dec 20, 2015

About 25 years ago, my brother and I let one freeze and crack the block!

It is a ritual for us to check all tractors the first weekend in October. Better safe than sorry.

2underage · Dec 20, 2015

Same here. I checked all of my tractors in October but I am going to check them all again. Thanks for the warning.

moresmoke · Dec 20, 2015

If your new style anti freeze is one of the global or JD coolguard II do not mix it with regular green. A little bit wont bother, but the right proportions make jello!

Ted in NE-OH · Dec 20, 2015

Better yet do a test strip test on each tractor. With show tractor you never know how many years your antifreeze is good for. I bought test strips at NAPA and the test strips test a number of parameters including freeze point and ph. I have 14 tractors , so it was worth it, rather than just blind replacement.

mj · Dec 20, 2015

(quoted from post at 15:33:54 12/20/15) ........................................................................ Most of these little old stations are no longer here. This was about 40 years ago.

Yep - I was thinking about that the other day and remembering all the things that you could get done at a good station - times have changed but we lost something in the process.

old-9 · Dec 20, 2015

Let us know how that works for you.

Tom in Mo. · Dec 20, 2015

Do you all check the anti freeze hot or cold? And does it make a difference?

David G · Dec 20, 2015

I would make sure it meets temperature and chemical make up with test strip.

notjustair · Dec 20, 2015

All are checked and chemically checked as well. I find that there are usually a few that need additive to get the ph right. Like others, I only add 50/50 when they need any, so I don't worry too much about freeze point.

ObsoElitist · Dec 20, 2015

(quoted from post at 16:19:40 12/20/15) Better yet do a test strip test on each tractor. With show tractor you never know how many years your antifreeze is good for. I bought test strips at NAPA and the test strips test a number of parameters including freeze point and ph. I have 14 tractors , so it was worth it, rather than just blind replacement.

I use Cool Strips, buy them cheaper from Amazon. Tests for more than just freeze protection, PH is pretty important too.

RayP(MI) · Dec 20, 2015

Most instruments use density to measure concentrations of antifreeze and water. Ethelene glycol is the primary ingredient. Other ingredients are additives to modify behavior of fluid in engine. Anticorrosives, anticavitation agents, dies, etc. Cretain engines have different requirements. This is why car manufacturers have tried to reinvent antifrereezes. That said, your instrument, be it floating balls, or floating arrow, or even a glass hydrometer aren't that accurate so that it will make a big difference, hot or cold. We're only looking at approximates here. Will antifreeze hold to your lowest anticipated tempersture? Very few have access to a spectrometer for measuring concentration, and I can't speak to accuracy of them.

J.Wondergem · Dec 20, 2015

J.Wondergem · Dec 20, 2015

Ray, you probably already know this but straight antifreeze wont mix just dumping it in. You might want to run it then check it again to make sure it mixed.

Sorry for the blank post, I hit the wrong button.

David G · Dec 20, 2015

Good point, engine needs to be run, thermostat opened and mixed up good.

fixerupper · Dec 20, 2015

Dale that SC Case I have has a cracked and repaired block from me leaving water in it. Ever since then I get an uneasy feeling when they forecast the first really cold temps of the season.

teddy52food · Dec 21, 2015

As long as there is some AF in it will be OK. It will turn to slush but will not get any pressure to break a block. But you can't run it as the water pump won't turn. I tried it with a weak solution in a glass jug & it never broke all winter . At times it was down to -30.

caterpillar guy · Dec 21, 2015

We check them in October with both the floating arrow and the strips for the diesels. After We ad material for the nitrites and such I go back and recheck after they are run for a day to make sure that is in line also. Had to add more to a couple of units afterwards.

RayP(MI) · Dec 21, 2015

Got a degree in chemistry. Yes, tractors run to mix and circulate coolant!

K Effective · Jan 25, 2016

Rather than starting a new thread, this one seems to fit perfectly, I'll try adding on.

I've got the NAPA test strips, and one of my tractors tested as needing additive, one ounce per four gallons of coolant. Sounds like about 3 ounces for a 12 gallon system.

So, the question is what additive do you recommend? I checked while at O'Reilleys yesterday getting car parts and they stock only a couple of snake oil sealants or wetters. They can order in a bottle of Wix product compared to FleetGuard, but it calls for a pint per four gallons I think. It was much more than the strips recommended.

Since the strips come 50 per bottle and have short shelf-life, I figured I would do the cars/trucks too. Will the strips work with any antifreeze type (orange/green)?

Thanks in advancefor the forthcoming info!

Much chagrined checked antifreeze on stored tractors

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Well-known Member

Similar threads