Attached is a link to one on eBay buy it now for $25 with $7.50 shipping. That was just one quick search. There may be other local sources. I know Advance Auto has them for like $50.
Yea the floating ball testers are junk. They tell very little about the actual freeze point of coolant. There is a lot that can change the reading.
As far as checking with a voltmeter... Personally, I think that is pretty much a waste of time. You can see stray voltage in a brand new system and never have issues. The dissimilar metals and the type of coolant can have an impact on this. I have also typically found that a cooling system has to heat cycle a few times in a virgin system to allow the passivation of the metals preventing this electrolysis from occurring. In an old system like we are talking about here, there isn't much to be concerned with. The measurement practices and the materials used for the actual probes can have an impact on the readings. I wouldn't bother with it.
As for extended life coolants, caution must be taken using the widely available ones in systems not designed for them. Dex-Cool for example is NOT compatible with older cooling systems designed for traditional 2 year coolant technology. The issue is the elastomers used in the gaskets and seals. The formulation will attack these causing them to shrink and harden. When the clamping force is lost, leaks occur. It was very common in the 90s and later for GM cars to have head and intake manifold gasket leaks. This was the reason for the leaks.
Whenever I have a system that has Dex-Cool in it, I drain and flush it right away and replace the coolant with my extended life coolant. As the engineer that developed this technology at JD, I can tell you that the formulation JD Cool-Gard II is top notch. It will not have issues with older cooling systems. I run it in all my cars and tractors that I have rebuilt. If it is a tractor that I haven't gone through yet, I will just keep the freeze point in line with whatever coolant is available easily. This is typically Zerex or whatever. Super Tech is fine too as long as it isn't extended life coolant...
As for the ones that say they are universal and can be added to anything, I would tread lightly there. This is a pretty bold statement to make by a coolant manufacturer. There can be issues that arise. I would try to stay away from mixing coolants in a system you have much invested in or care much for....
Diesel engines that have wet cylinder liners have cavitation pitting issues on the thrust side of the liner. This is due to the combustion pressure, firing frequency, cooling system pressure, sliding friction and liner to block fit. The wall actually moves back and forth like a bell ringing. Every time it retracts, the low pressure zone causes cavitation bubbles to form and burst. When they burst, it blasts away at metal on the surface. It wasn't uncommon to see an engine exhibit issues with coolant in the power cylinder within the first oil change when the wrong coolant was used at a rebuild.
To combat this, historically, nitrite was used in HD coolants. This would get consumed quickly during operation passivating the liner surfaces. So a supplemental coolant additive containing nitrite was developed. Annually this would be added to coolant to restore the protection. Later, manufacturers developed dosing filters that introduced the nitrite during operation so operators didn't need to remember to add it.
Today, organic coolant additives are used in more advanced coolants to prevent liner cavitation. These are in drastically higher concentration and do not require annual maintenance to retain their ability to protect. Many of the coolant filters have been removed for cost reasons.
So if you want a good extended life coolant for any cooling system, visit your local JD dealer and buy Cool-Gard II. It comes in concentrate or pre- mix. It will give you 6 years or 6000 hours of operation trouble free. You can check it with the test strips, but you will find that noting is needed.
I hate promoting on here, but it is a good product and there are so many out there to stay away from, it is hard not to promote a good product.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask....
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Today's Featured Article - Tractor Profile: Allis-Chalmers WD45 (Gas Version) - by Staff. Beginning production in 1953, the WD45 had the same general look as the WD tractor which was produced earlier - but was much more powerful. This was due to the new 4-cylinder "Power Crater" gasoline engine with a 4 x 4-1/2 inch bore and stroke. Some people feel this was one of the most significant tractors offered by Allis-Chalmers in those days. Nothing in its weight or power class could match its performance. In 1954 they began offering the WD45 with the new "Snap-Coupler&quo
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