A question of weather

[EuroYanmar]

Do California and Florida residents use antifreeze in the radiator of their tractors ?

I was just wondering about this point because here in Corsica (south of France - mediterranean climate) we don't but maybe it is a mistake.

Phil

 

[Whiskey]

EuroYanmar:

I'm in Florida and use antifreeze in my tractors, not so much as to prevent freezeing but it keeps the cooling system much cleaner than just water. If I'm not mistaken antifreeze also helps displace heat better that just plan water.

Whiskey

 

[Bird]

Phil, I'm old enough to remember when my dad owned service stations and a lot of people put antifreeze in their cars in the Fall to prevent freezing, then drained it out in the Spring, and put in fresh water only. The smart ones also added a little can of rust inhibitor/water pump lubricant. Some people even took the thermostat out in the Spring and put it back in the Fall before putting in the antifreeze. Most cars, in those days, did not have a pressurized coolant system, nor did they have a coolant recovery system. But now I think everyone leaves the antifreeze in the coolant system year round as a rust inhibitor/water pump lubricant even if there's no danger of freezing. And I think most people do the same for their tractors.

 

[Jagmandave]

California is a big place, and what works in San Diego isn't the same in Shasta! I think most people today, even in the warm-year-round climates use antifreeze, as the others have mentioned for a number of reasons. About the only places you could get away with it year round are right on the southernmost parts of the States, any further north you may get freezing nights in the winter.

 

[California]

Per the Operation Manual from Yanmar USA, if you don't run antifreeze year round then you need Summer Coolant Conditioner in nonfreezing weather, and need to circulate 'a suitable rust preventive' through the system if you intend to drain it for the winter. For a mild climate I think it's simpler to just use ordinary antifreeze.

 

[cfoxmd]

Anti-freeze does two things--cooling point depression for freezing and boiling point elevation for hot weather. The pressure cap also elevates the boiling point.

 

[PoconoMan]

Well, my two cents worth is, in an automobile application anyway, (gas or diesel) a 50-50 mix of antifreeze has been, in my area always recommended. The benefits are that it will prevent engine freeze ups, it lubricates the water pump, and probably most important of all (in summer time) is it will raise the boiling point of the cooling system to around 276 degrees F. In my opinion, I'd run a 50-50 mix if I lived in Alaska or in Hawaii.

PM

 

[Jagmandave]

As long as your tractor had a water pump..........

 

[PoconoMan]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( As long as your tractor had a water pump.......... )</font>

Roger that, I should have mentioned that in my post. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[EuroYanmar]

Thank you to everybody for these interesting answers. I think my opinion about antifreeze in sunny climates is more accurate now.

I Really appreciate.

Phil