How to open drain valve on JD 4300

[scooter1147]

I have a JD 4300 HST and I'm overdue to flush the cooling system. I'm concerned about opening the radiator petcock. My owner's manual shows a photo of a metal petcock but my tractor's radiator has a plastic valve shaped like a wingnut. I found this valve very hard to turn and moved it about 1/2 turn but then quit fearing the valve would brake. The 1/2 turn did nothing to drain any radiator coolant. I found another thread on Tractor By Net that suggests you have to turn this valve out by several turns to get coolant to drain but that was on a different model tractor.

I went in JD Parts and found a diagram that says this valve is a "drain valve" (part # AM103347) and there's an o-ring (part # M71417).

Is there anyone here who can advise me on how this valve is supposed to open and what I might face if I break it. Has anyone bypassed this valve and drained the coolant from the lower radiator hose or engine block drain? I'd really appreciate some experienced advice from one of you who did your own coolant flush on a 4300.

Thanks.

 

[Egon]

Screw it out and watch the antifreeze flow. Counterclockwise.

 

[beenthere]

How many years, and how many hours on the 4300 ?

:welcome: to TBN

 

[scooter1147]

How many years, and how many hours on the 4300 ?

:welcome: to TBN

I think it's been about 6 years but my tractor is low hours for it's age. I think I have about 440 hours on it.

 

[scooter1147]

Thanks Egon,

I guess I'm worried about putting too much pressure on the valve and breaking it.

 

[beenthere]

I see no reason that antifreeze would go bad in those few hours.. but prolly wouldn't hurt. They say change the thermostat as well every two years.

 

[Egon]

Thanks Egon,

I guess I'm worried about putting too much pressure on the valve and breaking it.

I always have to try both ways on those style drain valves before I get it right.