Anti freeze for L or M Kubotas?

[Green Acres Homestead]

It is generally considered a bad idea to mix coolant types. I personally would not ever consider mixing different coolants, regardless of what the the manufacturer may claim.
If you are talking a small amount of coolant loss, consider adding distilled water to account for the amount lost, as long as the resulting concentration will remain high enough to provide freeze protection for your needs. You can always add the correct coolant later to get back to 50/50 later.

That is a great idea. The stuff in it is mix stronger than 50 percent anyways and it never gets more than -30 here so I have little leeway. I keep tractor plugged in anyway. I will test it and top up with concentrated stuff when I get it.

 

[5030]

That is a great idea. The stuff in it is mix stronger than 50 percent anyways and it never gets more than -30 here so I have little leeway. I keep tractor plugged in anyway. I will test it and top up with concentrated stuff when I get it.

Curious as to how you came to that conclusion? Myself, I use a Brix Refractometer to ascertain concentration levels and I've checked pre mix AF in the past (Zerex and Prestone) and they refracted at very close to 50% concentration. The refractometer is a shop tool I use to determine coolant concentration levels in my coolant equipped machine tools. No guessing involved, ever.

 

[oosik]

In my 2009 Kubota M6040 - Zerex by Valvoline. It's premix. Couldn't find the concentrate. It's listed as five year antifreeze.

My Power Wagon - 2018 Ram 2500 - they have installed a ten year antifreeze. I've never asked what brand. I've also heard of a lifetime antifreeze.

BTW - My first tractor - purchased brand new in 1982. Ford 1700 4WD. I only used concentrate Prestone for 27 years - mixed with my well water. My well water is pretty high in minerals but never had ANY corrosion or plugging. Probable reason - it was two year antifreeze - the coolant system was flushed every two years.

 

[5030]

Far as I'm concerned, there is NO 'lifetime' coolant because what it considered lifetime in the first place? If you know please post it...lol I get my AF from my local jobber and I can buy it either way anytime. Get all my lubricants and greases from them. They deliver. Always more concerned with hose failure than anything else.

 

[RjCorazza]

In my 2009 Kubota M6040 - Zerex by Valvoline. It's premix. Couldn't find the concentrate. It's listed as five year antifreeze.

My Power Wagon - 2018 Ram 2500 - they have installed a ten year antifreeze. I've never asked what brand. I've also heard of a lifetime antifreeze.

BTW - My first tractor - purchased brand new in 1982. Ford 1700 4WD. I only used concentrate Prestone for 27 years - mixed with my well water. My well water is pretty high in minerals but never had ANY corrosion or plugging. Probable reason - it was two year antifreeze - the coolant system was flushed every two years.

I use Zerex G05 also. When I last bought the concentrate, it was twice as expensive as the 50/50 anyway, plus I had to add in the distilled water.
I agree that regular intervals is much more important than well water vs. distilled. My father did not believe in coolant changes (very unlike him as far as maintenance is concerned). I briefly had one of his older cars, and it didn't take long to have almost every type of cooling system problem possible. When my parents both died a few years ago I passed on their vehicles.

 

[oosik]

That's what I wonder - 5030. Who's lifetime. Wish I could remember the brand.

Ahhhhh - just checked. Peak Global Lifetime. But there is a caveat in the depth of their requirements. "Must follow the vehicle manufacturers recommended service requirements". That certainly does not make it a "lifetime" by my standards.

 

[5030]

I look at coolants like orange juice in the fridge. Heat-cold, heat-cold, and repeat hundreds of times and stuff wears out and OJ gets rancid.

I'd just as soon change ALL fluids before the recommended change interval anyway. I don't need a lubrication or coolant failure in the field.

I do use Blackstone for analysis and they do AF as well though I've never sent them any. Blackstone tells me I could run my lube oil farther than I do but the stuff isn't going to break my wallet anyway so it get's changed.

'Lifetime could mean anything from a minute to forever. Mostly blather in my view.

 

[jyoutz]

Engine over heated due to fan belt break. Lost some coolant. I have green in the tractor but only have red available. Would you mix it.

Nope. It will create a sludge that could clog your system.

 

[Green Acres Homestead]

Curious as to how you came to that conclusion? Myself, I use a Brix Refractometer to ascertain concentration levels and I've checked pre mix AF in the past (Zerex and Prestone) and they refracted at very close to 50% concentration. The refractometer is a shop tool I use to determine coolant concentration levels in my coolant equipped machine tools. No guessing involved, ever.

Live in a very rural area with no tools like a meter. Had to get a guy out off his driveway. I don’t like to guess so you do what you have to. Ended up a guy offered me his tractor so didn’t have to to anything.

 

[5030]

A Brix Refractometer is a worthwhile investment and they are not expensive either. You can get a good one for about 40 bucks and they never wear out, no batteries required.

What they do is indicate the concentration of any liquid substance using a angled prism and an eyepiece you look through in an illuminated place. The specific gravity is read on a scale in the eyepiece. Very simple and very accurate. No moving parts and when done, you clean the prism with clean distilled water and a cloth and it's good to go the next time.

I believe even Harbor Freight sells them but I got mine from MSC.

Takes all the guessing out of the equation. When dealing with water soluble coolants, concentration is very important. Too little and you get corrosion and too high and the suspension of impurities in the coolant becomes an issue.

Every toolbox should have one.

They come in 2 graduations, low density and high density. I have the low density one (up to 55% concentration.

I'm extremely rural as well as at the end of the power line on a dirt road with maybe 2 cars a day. Why we have a diesel standby generator.