Environmentally Safe Antifreeze????

zapelectric · Aug 27, 2005

That's what the dealer told me today. Antifreeze that won't hurt animals. Is there really such a thing? I'm such a newbie, you could just about tell me anything. This was his response when I told him I didn't want my antifreeze in my (not yet purchased) tractor. I live in Georgia and kind of have a hard time believing my tires would freeze anyway...
What do y'all think? I DO need the weight in the tires.
Cindy /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Bird · Aug 27, 2005

I put some Prestone in my tires, but probably wouldn't do it again. And like you said, in some parts of the country, you needn't worry about freezing anyway. I know farmers in my area who only used plain water; said it probably wouldn't freeze and if it got that cold they wouldn't be using the tractor anyway and as long as you didn't drive the tractor, even if there was ice in the tires it wouldn't hurt anything if you left it sitting until it thawed. But, yes, there is non-toxic antifreeze available. One such antifreeze is available at almost any RV supply place, including Wal-Mart and is used in the potable water systems in RVs.

Boomerang1 · Aug 28, 2005

It is called Sierra. The company states it is less toxic and safer for pets and children. They do not say it is non-toxic. It is made with propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol.

zapelectric · Aug 28, 2005

Thank you Bird and Boomerang for the information. I've got a lot of pets and waterfowl. I'll look up Sierra and read the fine print. Thank you Bird, for letting me know some farmers do just use water. I got a pretty strange look from the dealer when I suggested that.
TBN is invaluable.
Cindy

gsxr1100 · Aug 28, 2005

yes, any PG coolant is non-toxic. Problem is the cooling ability is not as good as EG. I have three dogs and in the same boat here.

Still use EG...

TractorLegend · Aug 28, 2005

I dont think the PG would kill you but just make you wish you were dead. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

boustany · Aug 29, 2005

The thing is, usual antifreeze tastes very sweet and animals which come across some tend to like the case, so they get poisoned.

PG "RV" antifreeze is bitter as all get out. I don't know if its even a little toxic but I doubt anybody could swallow more than a teaspoon without retching, so any critter which happens up a leak is not likely to do more than sniff.

I don't know if RV antifreeze, which is sold to protect plumbing systems, is appropriate for an engine because 'normal' antifreeze also raises the boiling point, if memory serves right. Plus, I believe RV antifreeze may be a hazard to engine parts (block, pump, seals) - regular antifreeze is formulated to protect these things.

Consider Prestone LowTox, which they claim is similar to EG antifreeze in performance, by low toxicity. It is also PG based.

Highbeam · Aug 29, 2005

Pretty sure we're talking about antifreeze to be mixed with water and added to tires for ballast, not the engine kind.

Assuming that's coorect, the antifreeze also adds a corrosion resistance to just plain water.

Jstpssng · Aug 29, 2005

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( yes, any PG coolant is non-toxic. Problem is the cooling ability is not as good as EG. )</font>

I've been running it in my pickups for 8 years, without problems. I don't normally haul the heavy loads many here do, however. The problem I encounter is that I don't do much of my own auto repairs anymore; (partly because of the difficulty of disposing of old fluids.) I have yet to find a way to keep the garage from contaminating it with EG; I'm about ready to wire my radiator shut so they can't access it.