Oil & Fuel Change coolant every 2 years

[RalphVa]

I was reading the B2301/2601 owners manual online. Even Kubota recommends changing the engine coolant every 2 years.

What is different about a tractor's coolant vs. car/trucks that go 10 years or 100k miles now on coolant? Think NOTHING.

There is really nothing different about a tractor's engine vs. one on a car/truck either. It's just that you HEAR it more loudly and you tend to think it's working harder. No. No harder than a car/truck engine going about its life. They're just very well noise isolated.

I'm not changing the coolant on the JD 2025R. It'll be well less than 10 years old before I trade it off (probably for a B2301). I also went to biyearly oil changes. Silly to change out every year (on a synthetic anyway). May even not change it on our JD walk behind because its dipstick has always shown crystal clear oil.

Went to longer drain periods on the 1983 after initially following those "every 2 years" recommendations way back then. Same for oil changes. Switched to synthetic and doubled the interval.

If the vehicle doesn't have one of those chambers to vent off excess or suck coolant back in, add one. I added one to my Isuzu diesels radiator. That's the main source of not being able to go longer before turning the coolant a bit acid. As far as I've experienced so far, all the new tractors have these overflow chambers, e.g. little plastic containers where you replenish any needed coolant and can easily see the level without removing the radiator cap (another source of air).

Ralph

 

[Roadworthy]

I don't think you'll find any car recommending coolant change at ten years though five may be pretty common. Most tractors seem to still be using ethylene glycol for a coolant while many cars have moved on to something safer for the environment. (propylene glycol?) Whatever length of time you choose for your coolant changes (or not) I cannot stress too strongly using only distilled water for mixing with coolant. Tap water has too many unwanted minerals to build up in there. Also be sure to add only distilled water to any batteries which still give the option.

 

[dodge man]

They have upgraded coolant in cars and they are usually funny colors, red, kind of a pink etc. They are designed to run much longer but the Kubota I used to have was the green stuff, which doesn't last as long.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I NEVER change equipment coolant. Surely, one would think if something becomes absent, you should just be able to add a little something.

I mentioned it elsewhere, how amazed I was, when I wanted to use "Genuine" Kubota Coolant in one of my generators, my Kubota Parts guy tells me they don't have their own coolant. What! Unbelievable!

 

[dodge man]

Coolant does deteriorate over time and radiators can become plugged and you can lose the anti freeze properties of it.

 

[cdaigle430]

I was reading the B2301/2601 owners manual online. Even Kubota recommends changing the engine coolant every 2 years.

What is different about a tractor's coolant vs. car/trucks that go 10 years or 100k miles now on coolant? Think NOTHING.

There is really nothing different about a tractor's engine vs. one on a car/truck either. It's just that you HEAR it more loudly and you tend to think it's working harder. No. No harder than a car/truck engine going about its life. They're just very well noise isolated.

I'm not changing the coolant on the JD 2025R. It'll be well less than 10 years old before I trade it off (probably for a B2301). I also went to biyearly oil changes. Silly to change out every year (on a synthetic anyway). May even not change it on our JD walk behind because its dipstick has always shown crystal clear oil.

Went to longer drain periods on the 1983 after initially following those "every 2 years" recommendations way back then. Same for oil changes. Switched to synthetic and doubled the interval.

If the vehicle doesn't have one of those chambers to vent off excess or suck coolant back in, add one. I added one to my Isuzu diesels radiator. That's the main source of not being able to go longer before turning the coolant a bit acid. As far as I've experienced so far, all the new tractors have these overflow chambers, e.g. little plastic containers where you replenish any needed coolant and can easily see the level without removing the radiator cap (another source of air).

Ralph

I never change my coolant. My 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 130,000 miles (almost 15 years old) still runs like new with original coolant. My 2004 Honda ATV also has original coolant as well as my 2010 MF.

Now that being said-my last two Jeep Grand Cherokees did have coolant replaced per manufacturer warranty-both had major issues with radiators, water pumps and head gaskets. Not saying to neglect the cooling system but make sure when the coolant is replaced it is done correctly or you could get water pump and radiater clog issues like I did. I also had a Chevy Blazer and two other chevy cars had same cooling issues even though I spent big $$ performing recommended maintenance.

 

[Ortimber]

Generally, I change coolant in everything (cars, tractors, mowers) every 4-5 years. So far, I've never had any coolant related failures over a 30 year span.

 

[MaineGuy1]

Just because recommended maintenance on something is not followed and no problems arise, does not make it correct. I will agree, I am sure there are many people that haven't changed it.

 

[TractorGuy]

I test mine annually and change it every so often but not on any particular schedule.

It used to be common to see clogged radiators but I'm pretty sure that was due to water quality as much as anything else. You hardly ever see it any more.

 

[big bubba]

personally, 2yr interval coolant changes are way too frequent. but i would never consider leaving it in for the lifetime of vehicle or tractor.

something to consider beyond the cheap temp range gauge:
Coolant Testing with a Multimeter | Family Handyman