Best coolant for Kubota tractor?

[Elkins45]

My Kubota tractor manual says change the coolant every two years but otherwise makes no recommendations beyond it be ethylene glycol based. Aren’t almost all coolants ethylene glycol based? I used “universal” coolant last time but if one of the other variations provides better corrosion protection or water pump lubrication I want to switch to it. I really want this tractor to last forever.

Since it doesn’t specify a particular formulation what would you use?

 

[ctechbob]

My first question would be, does the engine have wet sleeves? If so you'll want something suited for that to prevent cavitation wear on the sleeves.

 

[doitmyself]

LOL, ctechbob beat me to the punch regarding wet sleeves. I don't think Kubotas have them, but verify it.

When I had a Kubota tractor at my workplace, I used the John Deere Coolgard Coolant in it since the rest of my stable is John Deere. It is really good stuff and I didn't want to spend decades researching everything on the market.

 

[CarbonToast]

I would look using at Zerex G05. Has just about every brand of HD diesel approval on the label.

 

[Elkins45]

My first question would be, does the engine have wet sleeves? If so you'll want something suited for that to prevent cavitation wear on the sleeves.

It's an L3800. I know nothing about diesel engines so the only way I know to tell if it has wet sleeves is with a Google search.

 

[dnewton3]

Kubota tractors all around the world survive for decades under severe conditions (think third world countries ...) with minimal service. They endure delayed oil changes, garbage lubricants, no coolant changes, etc ...

So as a BITOGer, who's likely to over-maintain equipment, you can rest easy knowing that good ol' green EG coolant is sufficient. You can certainly use something more specific and costly, but it's not going to make any difference in the life of the engine. Especially if you're actually going to change the coolant every 2 years.

I have a L3430GST and a L3830GST (both 20+ years old). I only change the green EG coolant every 500 hours or so using house brand stuff. No evidence whatsoever that there are any nefarious results afoot.

 

[Nukeman7]

I believe that the Kubota branded coolant is similar to a heavy duty, pre-charged Extended Life Coolant that is Nitrite-free to prevent cavitation in wet liners. I'd suggest using one of the commonly available ELCs shown below after flushing the system with water.

 

[nwjones18]

I’ve got Prestone 10yr/300k in mine. No issues so far. I did a full flush and plan on letting it go 10yrs…

 

[Shannonwilkerson]

I would run final charge elc. All diesel engines are subject to cavitation erosion of the cylinder walls and other internal engine surfaces. Elc is designed to prevent this without adding additional additives