Kubota recommended coolant or....
- Thread starter eipo
- Start date
Just installed the blue extended life coolant in my L4600. It is my understanding that the green coolant is only a 1 year coolant.
I replaced the Kubota green in my previous L3410 with HOAT coolant (Zerex G05) around 2005 and all was good for the next decade. I was careful to fully flush the system, and changed it out once or twice over the years. Same switch with all other vehicles at the time, including a GM product that had an engine replacement at 60k miles prior to owning. I strongly suspect the GM was ruined by a cooling issue relating to DexCool, but I do not know this to be a fact.
I don't claim to be as expert in coolant technology, but I would not put Ford Orange (or DexCool) coolant in a vehicle not specifically designed for it. For starters, the past 3 Kubotas I have owned do not have sealed cooling systems (non pressure recovery tanks), which would allow coolant to be exposed to air. I cleaned a lot of sludge out of the recovery tank on that GM mentioned above. There is also the matter of gasket and seal material compatibility with these coolants. No idea what that means for Kubota products, but I do know that DexCool itself has not changed. GM (and Ford) now use materials compatible with the coolant.
Again... not an expert here, jmho.
I don't claim to be as expert in coolant technology, but I would not put Ford Orange (or DexCool) coolant in a vehicle not specifically designed for it. For starters, the past 3 Kubotas I have owned do not have sealed cooling systems (non pressure recovery tanks), which would allow coolant to be exposed to air. I cleaned a lot of sludge out of the recovery tank on that GM mentioned above. There is also the matter of gasket and seal material compatibility with these coolants. No idea what that means for Kubota products, but I do know that DexCool itself has not changed. GM (and Ford) now use materials compatible with the coolant.
Again... not an expert here, jmho.
I have had good success with Celcius coolant. Probably a canadian thing.
Universal coolant. I stock one coolant and it save a lot of hassle.
Mopar long life if not replaced after its life cycle will leave deposits eventually plugging rad.
Gm dexcool reacts with plastic components causing them to fail. And is not friendly with green coolant, will eventually turn to mud if mixed.
Ford Gold coolant has not created any issues that i am aware of.
Long life coolant and de-mineralized water will protect your cooling system the best.
Universal coolant. I stock one coolant and it save a lot of hassle.
Mopar long life if not replaced after its life cycle will leave deposits eventually plugging rad.
Gm dexcool reacts with plastic components causing them to fail. And is not friendly with green coolant, will eventually turn to mud if mixed.
Ford Gold coolant has not created any issues that i am aware of.
Long life coolant and de-mineralized water will protect your cooling system the best.
The Ford gold coolant was said to be one of the causes of all the 6.0L Powerstroke failures. It has been said that the silicates drop out of that coolant and that is what plugged the EGR and oil coolers, thus causing the flash boils that push out the head gaskets.
I'm switching my Kubota and all my other stuff over to Peak Final Charge Global.
http://www.peakhd.com/product-lines/final-charge/about/
Zerex G05 is a HOAT coolant. You are correct that it is the same as the Ford gold used in pre 2011 Fords. The newer Ford Orange is the same as DexCool, and I would not use it in a vehicle not specifically designed for it.
The G05 worked well in my L3410 and ZD326 over the years. I will probably change my L4060 over to G05 in the spring.
The blue coolant that I installed in my L4600 is Rotella ELC. It is mainly for diesels in large trucks. The label on the container states it is good for 650,000 miles or 12,000 hours.
eipo,
This spring I drained and flushed the cooling system on my BX2350. I put in the Rotella ELC (Red Propylene Glycol) and I notice that it runs about 15 degrees cooler under heavy mowing than it did with the green ethylene glycol from the factory. Just my 2 cents worth.
Dave
I'm not doubting what you say, just confused on what to buy.
I thought ethylene glycol was better, propylene glycol isn't as toxic.
And Kubota recommends ethylene glycol.
So I looking it up.
Propylene Glycol vs Ethylene Glycol
Between the two, ethylene glycol (C2H6O2) is a better heat transfer fluid than propylene glycol (C3H8O2). Propylene glycol is less toxic and is considered when toxicity is a concern.
I'm trying to decide what to buy tomorrow, flushing cooling system, installing a block heater and changing the coolant. The more I read on this subject the more confused I become.
I just fell on a deal on anti-freeze, you guys may want to check with your local fuel/oil supplier to see what they have. I got standard green for $6.50 a gallon. Parts store across the street had their store brand on sale for $13.99 so I thought I got a good deal. Just passing it on...
I use John Deere Coolguard II in everything. It has the anti-cavitation additives for diesels.
Deere has done lots of research with coolants, and the ASTM cavitation test is sometimes referred to as the John Deere Cavitation Test.
As far as I know, it is truly universal for tractors, trucks, European, American, and Asian automobiles.
I am not sure, but I think at first, they were branding it as lifetime, but last I looked they now say 6 years.
I buy it in the 2.5 gallon container. It is pre-mixed.
Deere has done lots of research with coolants, and the ASTM cavitation test is sometimes referred to as the John Deere Cavitation Test.
As far as I know, it is truly universal for tractors, trucks, European, American, and Asian automobiles.
I am not sure, but I think at first, they were branding it as lifetime, but last I looked they now say 6 years.
I buy it in the 2.5 gallon container. It is pre-mixed.
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