Storage in cold areas

BlacknTan · Mar 13, 2007

Does anyone here who lives in an area that experiences temps to -40 or so ever run your coolant over 50% for more freeze protection? I realize that going over 50% decreases the viability of acting as a coolant.
My B-7800 sits in an unheated garage, and the outside air temp often goes to 40 below in February.

My dealer in this area say's he's never had a problem with tractors sitting outside in these temperatures..

Any thoughts???

Boondox · Mar 13, 2007

I'm right across the lake from you at 1500 feet in Vermont. Similar weather. Never had an issue running 50%. Much more likely to have issues with condensation in the fuel tank if it's not kept full, or diesel gelling if no conditioner is used.

Pete

simonmeridew · Mar 13, 2007

Hi Black:
Antifreeze ratings such as freeze protection to -40 degrees are what might be termed relative. A mixture of antifreeze/water good to -40 degrees stays liquid till then, below this it still doesn't freeze, but turns to a kind of slushy liquid that still offers freeze protection. It never really freezes solid. You are still safe.
The jug of Walmart Super Tech antifreeze I have, shows that one might do a 70/30 mix, antifreeze/water which gives protection to -84 F. I think that this figure is rather academic since we don't approach this and because of the slush factor.
100 miles east of you we haven't seen colder than -26 F this winter, that was last week. But Island Pond, VT , 20 miles north of us, had close to -40 same time. Not good for man nor beast. Channel 3 gives the Saranac Lake readings which are routinely this cold. No thanks.
simonmeridew