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Coolant \ Antifreeze Question for a Ford New Holland 555D Backhoe - ELC to Nitrate or to not Nitrate?

gibblinhimer

Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2025
Messages
7
Location
Ohio
Obviously with older Equipment it can be a challenge to looks at the older fluid requirement and translate them into what is available or best for today - at a reasonable cost also.

My research shows that my backhoe (555D) wants a coolant with the MAT 3724 specification - this looks to be an OAT (organic additive\acid technology)

When looking for an ELC OAT type coolant - then the question comes up - with Nitrates or not??
And the two options have many of the same "standards" on the back of each jug.

I have read that nitrates offer increase protection for wet sleave Deisel engines against pitting\corrosion
But, I have also read that Nitrates are not good for softer metals - specifically aluminum. I don't think the ford 555D has any aluminum exposed in the cooling system.

So anyway, I thought I would reach out to this forum for some thoughts. Appreciate the input.

Thanks.
 

NH575E

Senior Member
Joined
Dec 30, 2015
Messages
1,579
Location
North, FL
Occupation
Retired Machinist
I went round and round with this decision when I did mine. I finally settled on PEAK Fleet Charge SCA Precharged Concentrate Antifreeze and Coolant for All Heavy Duty Engine Cooling Systems, 1 Gal. mixed 50/50 with distilled water.
 

gibblinhimer

Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2025
Messages
7
Location
Ohio
Thanks for the reply.

I did see this exact one. but noticed that it is not an OAT - not sure how much that matters.
 

gibblinhimer

Member
Joined
Oct 20, 2025
Messages
7
Location
Ohio
for more information..

I was looking at either

Shell Rotella 1 gal. Rotella Extended Life Nitrate Free​

or

Shell 1 gal. Rotella ELC Antifreeze/Coolant - with Nitrate​


As both of these are on sale at my local TSC -
 

Swetz

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2019
Messages
1,791
Location
NJ/PA
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Retired :-)
There are some that know a bunch more about coolant mixing than i, on this forum.

This is what comes to mind.
When that machine was made the OAT coolants were not really that used in the industrial machines, except CAT, if I remember correctly.
Some on here say that if the machine was not made for OAT, the gaskets will break down with it.
The old fashion fleet charge with SCA will defiantly protect the engine.
The above stated, I put Rotella ELC in all of my NH machines, and have never had any problems.

Not sure why coolant has to be soooo hard...LOL
 

Swetz

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 31, 2019
Messages
1,791
Location
NJ/PA
Occupation
Retired :-)
This is what I used, and it came from tractor supply. I see the bottles are marked differently now.

Shell Rotella® Extended Life Heavy Duty Antifreeze/Coolant Concentrate 1-Gallon
MPN #: 9404106021
9404106021_1.jpg


I checked the part number. This is the same part number as what I put in.
1079982
 
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