Best Practices for Machine Coolant

Best Practices for Machine Coolant Atlantic Coastal Equipment

Engine coolant is a vital fluid that circulates between the engine and radiator, managing heat absorption and dissipation. Its job is to ensure your machine operates at peak efficiency without overheating. Machine coolant also helps prevent the cooling system from freezing and safeguards against corrosion, cavitation, and rust formation.

Given the critical role of coolant in maintaining your equipment's health and productivity, it's crucial to use it correctly. To help you optimize the operation of your cooling system, we've put together a set of guidelines and recommended practices for properly choosing and managing machine coolant.

Types of Machine Coolant

The most commonly used types of coolant in heavy equipment are OAT, HOAT, and IAT.

Organic Acid Technology (OAT)/ Extended Life Coolant (ELC) - This option includes organic additives and generally has the longest intervals between changes.

Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) - HOAT coolant uses a combination of organic and inorganic additives. It may require the use of a Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA) or extender.

Inorganic Additive Technology (IAT) - IAT coolant incorporates inorganic additives and generally needs more maintenance and must be changed more often than the other two types. They also require the use of a Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA).

Selecting the Right Machine Coolant

1. For diesel engines, ensure the coolant adheres to the ASTM D-6210 standard, as indicated on the packaging.
2. Opt for pre-diluted coolants using deionized water to eliminate the need for additional water.
3. Choose a specific antifreeze type and avoid mixing it with others. Follow the maintenance guidelines recommended for that particular coolant.

Don't Mix Different Kinds Together

When selecting coolant for your equipment, consistency is key. Stick to one specific type and avoid blending different varieties together. If topping up with the identical product isn't feasible, go for a compatible alternative within the same family (for example, match OAT with OAT, or IAT with IAT). This approach helps maintain the integrity of your cooling system and ensures optimal performance.

How to Maintain Machine Coolant

It’s crucial that you always follow all the manufacturer's maintenance guidelines for the specific product that you’re using. You should also follow these maintenance guidelines:

1. Perform regular visual inspections:

   • Check for clarity, indicating no rust presence
   • Verify the correct color to ensure no mixing with other antifreeze types has occurred

2. Assess additive concentrations:

   • Submit a sample for professional coolant analysis
   • Recommended testing interval: Every 1,000 hours of operation
   • Atlantic Coastal offers convenient sampling kits

3. On-site testing options:

   • Use chemically reactive test strips for quick assessments
   • These can indicate freeze/boil points (glycol content), nitrite (or nitrite/molybdate) levels, and in some cases, pH through color changes