Think they will freeze? Now they won't!

[Barnyard]

This fall I was checking antifreeze on everything. Most of the stuff is good for -20 or better. However there were a couple of Cub that were good for 0 or so. I had meant to comeback to them but as things go it slipped my mind. We are supposed to have temps ranging from 6 to -10 for the next two days with wind chills around -20 to -30. Will these freeze solid or will the antifreeze that they do have just let every thing turn to slush? I'm kicking myself tonight for not thinking of getting back to them sooner.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

The wind chills are not your worry, but the below zero temps are if they stay long enough to chill the entire tractor. Of course a lot depends on how accurate your tester is. if you don't want to drain, you might put a light bulb under them laid on something to get it fairly close if you can. Incandescent, not LED, of course that is assuming they are inside.

[Barnyard]

They are outside and there is no getting them inside in the next week or so. It is supposed to be in the thirties tomorrow with heavy snow before the cold gets here tomorrow night.. I will probably just go out around noon and drain them, Better safe than sorry.

[Scrivet]

I would do the same. Drain the questionable ones at the earliest you can.

Two of the fleet are at -20 everything else is at -40. I keep an eye on the forecast so far we haven't got anything but -8 to -10 predicted for Mon/Tues lows. Much lower than that and I would be draining. The backup plan is to cut a radiator hose if I can't get a drain open. I would rather replace a hose than, .......than, ....... I really don't want to think about that.

[ricky racer]

Maybe cover them with a tarp and put a heat lamp or drop light under there to reduce the risk. I put a drop light under the hood of my daughters car not because I'm concerned about the antifreeze mix but to help make it start a little easier (it's parked outside). They're calling for a high of -13 for Monday and -16 during the night time and -30 to -40 wind chills.

[Xperimental]

I have a similar situation. I have two cubs that test at about -7F. But they are inside an unheated garage. I was not concerned until these unusually low temperatures were predicted. Just to be safe, I will run some space heaters when the outside temperature dips below -5. Both of these Cubs have stuck drain plugs. I had also thought about cutting the lower radiator hoses as a back up plan. I do wonder about Bill's original question. Will the coolant turn to slush if it has quite a lot of antifreeze in it, or will it freeze solid?

[Barnyard]

I do wonder about Bill's original question. Will the coolant turn to slush if it has quite a lot of antifreeze in it, or will it freeze solid?

Yeah Tom, that was my question. If it will just turn to slush for a couple of days I won't go diggin' around in all the snow. These are outside with no way to run electric to them.

[Xperimental]

Hi Bill, If you do drain them, you might leave the coolant in a container where you can keep an eye on it. Just to see if it freezes solid or not.

[Barnyard]

Tom, that is a good point.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I suspect the range from slush to solid is a pretty narrow band unless it is being continuously agitated like a slushy.

[Dusty B]

Don't even talk to me about tractors freezing! BTDT !! Dusty B

[Barnyard]

They have now been drained. From the looks of what came out of them they will get a good flushing this spring.

Tom, I saved a bucket full that tested at around 0º and put in the unheated barn. Tomorrows temps are supposed to be around -13º. I will check it after it has sat in that temp for several hours to see what we have.

[Scrivet]

Is the bucket where your dogs (or any cats you want to keep) can't get to it? On a side note a round dowel across the top that spins easily with some peanut butter makes for a nice mousetrap. The mice get on the roller to get the peanut butter and fall into the antifreeze and can't get out of the bucket. It improves efficiency to give them an easy way up the outside of the bucket. Back on subject; Such a simple thing but have never done it, I am curious as to the results.

[Barnyard]

Is the bucket where your dogs (or any cats you want to keep) can't get to it?

Absolutely, I have put it up so the dogs don't get thirsty. Antifreeze is intended to keep things from freezing, If I found the dogs stiff in the morning I'd know the antifreeze didn't work. On a side note I don't want to lose the dogs, they take care of the cat population. Come to think of it, I have found dead mice by the back door a time or two, so they help out there to.

[hoosier]

Nutz! I know the antifreeze in both my cubs will go to -20 but you all have brought out whatever it is that makes me doubt my self. Have drained them both. Wish there was something that would trigger whatever it is that would make me remember to fill them up again. Better safe than sorry.