Deere Cool-Gard II equivalent

[zuiko]

It is hard to find details on exactly what kind of coolant this is and what aftermarket alternatives it can be replaced with. I got a decent amount of Motorcraft ethylene glycol P-OAT type coolant left over that I'd like to use if I can. I think I could use this if I drain whatever is in there but I'm not 100% sure if there might be some kind of incompatibility or something. This is on a 20 year old JD 990 that still has its original coolant so it's definitely due to be replaced. I'm not even sure what is in it now (was Cool-gard II even a thing 20+ years ago?) Also this is essentially a re-badged Yanmar tractor that was made in Japan IIRC so no idea what they used.

 

[jyoutz]

When I had a Deere tractor, I couldn’t find an equivalent, so I just bought the Cool-gard for Deere for a few bucks more. There a danger in mixing incompatible coolants, so better to just be safe and buy OEM.

 

[CaptPat]

If you drain and flush the system you can switch brands of coolant. I'd look for a name-brand long-life diesel antifreeze as a replacement.

 

[dodge man]

I won’t swear to it, I’ve got a jug of JD coolant, but I think it’s just the old fashioned green coolant.

 

[sixdogs]

I faced the same question and am still not clear on the answer. BUT, Driver's Club magazine, that is published for policy holders of Haggerty (classic car) Insurance Company, had an article on anti-freeze that explained it all, especially for the owners of classic cars or older equipment in last month's issue. I just can't find it at the moment.

You do have to be careful with modern anti freeze to get the right one. There is different chemistry plus some have added silicates to protect sleeved diesel engines. Those sicilcates may not be good for non-sleeved engines.

Try to find a copy of that magazine or maybe call Haggerty. I'll keep looking and if I find it will update.

 

[ruffdog]

The cool-gard II ....Cool-Gard II is made with an ethylene glycol (EG) base and the toxicity level of EG.

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John Deere Cool-Gard II PG pre-mix antifreeze/coolant is a 60/40 mixture of propylene glycol (PG) and deionized water. It is a heavy-duty engine coolant formulated with a special organic formulation additive system.

 

[sixdogs]

I'm pretty sure my bigger equipment specifies ethylene glycol

 

[sixdogs]

You'll have to squint but here's the page from Hagerty Driver's Club magazine on modern anti freeze.

For a recent coolant change on a '97 Ford diesel truck, I went with Peak Fleet Charge from Menards. Peak also has the old green coolant for gas and some diesel engines. I don't know enough about it but know to be careful.


FYI. I hope this helps.

 

[zuiko]

I finally got around to draining what was in there and it sure looks to me like the old-school IAT inorganic ethylene glycol coolant. It's that classic radioactive green color. I need to pick up some filters at the dealer anyway so I'll ask what they show in the computer as the appropriate fill for it.

 

[rScotty]

I didn't know for a long while that ethylene glycol - the traditional green antifreeze - is sweet & tasty and deadly poison to animals. Dogs, cats, people, horses - most all species. It shuts down their kidneys & nervous system. Convulsions; there is no cure. Please do not leave a pan of it around. That's a horrid way to go.

Propylene Glycol - also called red RV anitfreeze - is almost as good as a coolant as the the more poision green stuff, and is not toxic at all. Some of the modern antifreezes use it instead. In fact. propylene glycol is used in a lot of foods.