Antifreeze question

[brbry]

Kubota antifreeze says it does not contain any silicate, borate, nitrite, etc that can cause problems in the cooling system.

ZEREX HD Pre-Charged Green Antifreeze/Coolant says it is a low-silicate formula charged with special inhibitors to protect heavy duty diesel engines from liner pitting and corrosion. pre-charged with nitrite to protect diesel engines

Any comments on that. I have a b3300su

 

[oosik]

Look in your Kubota owners manual and use the type they suggest. Simple.

 

[brbry]

I was wondering about the Nitrite. One says it's good for the engine one says it's not. I know what the manual says. It says ethylene glycol. That wasn't the question. Both are ethylene glycol.

 

[oosik]

Well - I use Zerex G-05 extended life stuff. Its phosphate free. The label says nothing about nitrite or molybdate nitrite. Both are considered to be excellent corrosion inhibitors. However - G-05 has several other compounds listed as corrosion inhibitors.

Bought my first tractor - new in '82 and used Zerex in it all the time - back then changed the green stuff every two years. Never had any corrosion problems or gunk buildup in the cooling system. And thats with mixing the concentrated antifreeze with my 'ol hard as rocks country water out here.

JMHO - but I think you will be just fine using any major brand ethylene glycol based antifreeze. They all have many types of corrosion inhibitors.

I would sure hope there would be some form of LARGE WARNING in your owners manual if you had to use some specifically formulated ethylene glycol antifreeze.

My Op Manual for my 2009 Kubota M6040 simply says use ethylene glycol based antifreeze. No specs listed for special formulations nor anything.

Another opinion - some antifreeze use nitrite or molybdate nitrite and some use something else. If it were such an evil product and could cause harm to a cooling system - - I don't see that ANY manufacturers would be using it. Again JMHO.

The only cautionary note in my Op Manual - "Do not mix antifreeze from different manufacturers". They will have different chemical make up/corrosion inhibitors and could cause problem in the cooling system. Always use the same product for any make-up as used for the primary fill up.

 

[brbry]

Thanks for the great reply. I found a good article about antifreeze,

Kubota antifreeze is an Extended Life Coolant that use Organic Acid Technology (OAT)
Organic Acid Technology (OAT) coolants do not use nitrite/borate salts or phosphate/molybdate additives as SCAs. Instead they utilize carboxcylic/fatty acids to handle those needs.

Still don't know why one says nitrite is good and the other says it's bad, May have something to do with different engines. Doesn't matter the article says the extended life is by far the best. I was going to buy the Kubota brand anyway just because it said Kubota and must be the right stuff.

 

[oosik]

A guy can get so deep in that antifreeze technology - just like engine and hydraulic oils - you can real soon have the techno babble and BS lapping up around your ears. And you still won't have your basic question answered.

Ahhh - - OAT technology - - a note on the Zerox said something about HOAT technology. The print on the bottle is so small - almost needed my magnifying glass - thought they were indicating I could pour it on my OATmeal. Looked on their web site - Hybrid Organic Acid Technology. Whoopie - dam - DO. Add $3.75 to the cost of a gallon - just for using the magic words.

 

[Oldoak]

I was wondering about the Nitrite. One says it's good for the engine one says it's not. I know what the manual says. It says ethylene glycol. That wasn't the question. Both are ethylene glycol.

I wonder if it doesn't have something to do with aluminum engine blocks verses iron blocks?

Just like with engine oils and hydraulic oils, a consumer can over analyze them until the cows come home and still not be satisfied which is "BEST". With regular maintenance, most tractors with outlast the owners no matter the brand name of the fluids used.

 

[oosik]

I completely agree with you there - Oldoak. Regular maintenance with acceptable oils and fluids - your grandchildren can enjoy the tractor as you are. I seem to remember something about aluminum block engines and types of antifreeze also. Something about them maybe needing a different formulation - but I can't remember any specifics.

 

[Trillium Farm]

A guy can get so deep in that antifreeze technology - just like engine and hydraulic oils - you can real soon have the techno babble and BS lapping up around your ears. And you still won't have your basic question answered.

Ahhh - - OAT technology - - a note on the Zerox said something about HOAT technology. The print on the bottle is so small - almost needed my magnifying glass - thought they were indicating I could pour it on my OATmeal. Looked on their web site - Hybrid Organic Acid Technology. Whoopie - dam - DO. Add $3.75 to the cost of a gallon - just for using the magic words.

Yeah there are 2 of these lovely acronyms OAT (organic acid technology) & HOAT (hybrid organic acid technology)
OAT based antifreeze is not compatible with IAT antifreeze; although, some HOAT formulas claim compatibility with certain OAT formulas or IAT formulas.
OAT and HOAT antifreeze is designed for use in aluminum radiators and components.

Best to refer to the manual.

 

[number two]

Don't overthink this!
Your Kubota comes with the same conventional green coolant as your 1985 F150.
You do not need all the additives for diesels that have cylinder liners because Kubota is a parent bore engine(no liners).
Drain and refill with green and distilled water 50/50 every few years for fantastic results.
Good Luck!