Ok to add antifreeze to hydraulic fluid?

[jodebg]

Spoke to a tractor mechanic today who told me to add a small amount of
antifreeze to the hydraulic fluid.

We were discussing the fact that when cold, my loader control valve tends to freeze.
He suggested that adding the antifreeze would help eliminate moisture in the system.

Would this addition of antifreeze contaminate the hydraulic fluid and damage the system?

 

[dieselcrawler]

Sounds like snake oil to me... probly adds 5 hp too!

I wouldn't do it... never heard of it... maybe its common in colder climates.

 

[LD1]

I never heard of that either. There shouldnt be any water in the system to freeze. I wouldnt do it either.

 

[grsthegreat]

sounds odd to me, but after doing a quick google search i see that companies like Myers adds antifreeze to their hydraulic fluids. never heard of such a thing.

Then again, ive never had any issues with mine freezing up.

You can also add a stick on heater to your tractor at the point of hydraulic fluid storage

Wolverine Heaters - The Most Trusted Engine Oil Heater For Cold-Weather Starts

i added a 250 watt unit to my rear hydraulic storage tank.

 

[xring100]

glycol is not soluble in mineral oil (hydraulic oil, engine oil. Just like water and oil don't mix. This is a bad idea you need figure out why their is water in the first place change the fluid and filters.

Ask any mechanic or any one unfortunate enough to suffer major engine damage from GM's fantastic crappy plastic intake gaskets failing and pumping coolant into the oil. The oil looks like a milk shake when running or after being run. Loves to chew up crank bearings

 

[xring100]

Also If anyone ever tells you to add any kind of oil to your brake fluid don't. It will destroy any and all the rubber components it comes in contact within the brake system. I've seen this happen to many times. Master Cylinders brake, brake hoses, Caliper seals etc

 

[jimainiac]

The crazy thing about this story is that the trouble with the loader valve is probably condensation in the valve itself, not the fluid. There have been posts on TBN about this problem, and I had the problem with the loader valve freezing on my tractor, Kubota L3830. The fix in my case was to drill little drain holes in the bottom of the valve. When I did, a thimble full of water ran out. I sprayed some WD40 in there to drive out the moisture, and no more problem. That was years ago and counting.

 

[diesel lover]

Also If anyone ever tells you to add any kind of oil to your brake fluid don't. It will destroy any and all the rubber components it comes in contact within the brake system. I've seen this happen to many times. Master Cylinders brake, brake hoses, Caliper seals etc

X2! Brake fluid is very different and nothing else should be added to a brake system on a car/ or clutch system. It can ruin the entire system. Thousands of $ worth on some vehicles... not worth it

 

[Coyote machine]

Anti freeze is an etchant, which is why it will destroy bearings if it gets into the engine oil. Hydraulic and other oils act as lubricants, just the opposite of an etchant. Whoever told you to add it to your hydraulics let them do it to theirs, they don't understand the basics of coolant. Ethylene and now propylene glycol are the two main coolant types, the first being poisonous to mammals, the later being used in food grade products, as well as a component of anti-freeze/coolant mixtures.
ALL coolant/antifreeze mixtures contain a 50/50 mix of water and the ethylene or propylene glycol mixture. So why introduce water to a place where you want none in the first place? Answer: DON'T!

 

[Baby Grand]

I'd be tempted to thank that mechanic for his helpful tip and share the joy by suggesting he add a heaping spoonful of sugar to his fuel.
Just tempted is all. I would never, ever actually tell someone to do that.