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How often do you clean the deck
#2
G
GaryLee
G
GaryLee
I try to always blow the whole mower down with compressed air after every use, including under the deck. Packed grass cuttings trap moisture which breeds rust and pops paint.
#3
P
ProLikeJesus
ah ok. So, besides rust, the grass underneath the deck does not effect the performance in any way? Like it doesn't keep the grass from circulating through the mower?
P
ProLikeJesus
I try to always blow the whole mower down with compressed air after every use, including under the deck. Packed grass cuttings trap moisture which breeds rust and pops paint.
ah ok. So, besides rust, the grass underneath the deck does not effect the performance in any way? Like it doesn't keep the grass from circulating through the mower?
#4
Carscw
Carscw
I do not clean the under side of the deck in over 40 years I have never had a deck rust out. I do blow the top of the deck off after every yard. If your getting so much grass stuck under the deck that it change how it cuts then just get a mower that is better for your needs
Sent from my iPhone using LMF
Sent from my iPhone using LMF
#5
jimrs
jimrs
In the summer months I have never had that much of a problem except on top the deck. In the spring I have yet to see it dry enough to not stick to the underside of the deck. On the new Toro I have found lots of grass trapped and stuck to the deck as I mulch and the grass is full of water, I guess. I use the water hose attachment built on the deck and wash it out. I need to check my old JD and Honda to see if they also have an accumulation of stuck grass and get them cleaned up before they rust out. Forgot the original question I clean it after each use NOW.
#6
B
Browndog67
B
Browndog67
Just stop out in the yard before you park and use your leaf blower to clean it off.....you can even knock the dust off the air filter if you have the newer semi-exposed type filter. I do not like to park a dirty mower......
#7
Carscw
Carscw
I feel it's better not to clean it at all then to spray it down with a water hose then put it in the shed or storage building
Sent from my iPhone using LMF
Sent from my iPhone using LMF
#8
R
rimidalvr1966
Is it safe to spray cold water over and around a hot engine?
R
rimidalvr1966
I feel it's better not to clean it at all then to spray it down with a water hose then put it in the shed or storage building
Sent from my iPhone using LMF
Is it safe to spray cold water over and around a hot engine?
#9
lawn mower fanatic
lawn mower fanatic
I used to clean the underside of my HRR after every single mow. If the grass was even slightly wet it would make a high-pitched sound and you would look under it, and there would be like 5 pounds of wet grass stuck to the deck. Luckily, with my HRX, I never have to clean it, because the grass JUST DOESN'T STICK! Even when it is wet. I love it!!!
#10
Ric
Ric
I generally clean my decks weekly, just use the mojack, lift and use a plastic scraper then the air hose.
#12
S
SeniorCitizen
AH, a self cleaning deck. There are millions of people looking for one of those. Care to share your secret ?
S
SeniorCitizen
I do not clean the under side of the deck in over 40 years I have never had a deck rust out. I do blow the top of the deck off after every yard. If your getting so much grass stuck under the deck that it change how it cuts then just get a mower that is better for your needs
Sent from my iPhone using LMF
AH, a self cleaning deck. There are millions of people looking for one of those. Care to share your secret ?
#13
djdicetn
ProLikeJesus,
I see there being two potential "problems" from accumulated grass/dirt/etc. under a mower deck. The first has been eluded to and that is trapped moisture causing rust and other deck material damage. The second(from my experience) is enough accumulated buildup that it "restricts" the ability of the blades to turn freely after hardening between mowings and when you go to mow again and engage the PTO.....ooooops there went my drive belt(if the blade won't turn.......something's gotta give:0)
In my last two lawn tractors(most recently a Craftsman 54"...made by Husqvarna) the stamped deck design and the blade tip speed allowed quite a bit of accumulation under the deck and after throwing one belt I began spraying underneath the deck with a garden hose each time I mowed to remove most of the large clumps to avoid that happening again.
You may notice some of the recent models of residential lawn tractors(and some ZTR's) have that hose-attachment dooie that allows you to attach a garden hose, turn it on, engage the blades and wash the deck out. My Craftsman didn't have that and I thought I wanted that on my next mower. What I discovered when shopping for a ZTR, though, was that a good quality ZTR(especially the Commercial units) don't suffer as much buildup due to (a)the deck design, particularly the fabricated decks with baffles underneath and (b)the blade tip speeds of around 18,000 fpm(there is so much turbulence and clipping ejection the stuff just can't "stick to" the deck)!!! I have mowed my yard 4 times with my new Gravely Pro-Turn 52" Commercial ZTR since buying it(this weekend after a rain the previous day) and upon inspecting under the deck each time about all I see is a "green stain" on the deck and spindles and very little if any grass stuck to the deck surface underneath(making me a VERY happy post-mowing cleanup guy)!!! I, like user Ric have purchased a MoJack and I will probably clean under my deck like he has recommended occaissionally(every 5 or 6 mowings).
I've also heard and had some advice about spraying underneath a new mower's deck with PAM cooking oil spay and every few mowings but I can't recommend that from experience. I actually tried a product called ZEPLON when I first bought the Craftsman lawn tractor(a "hard drying" form of silicone) but it didn't help a bit. Personally, I don't understand why some mower manufacturer hasn't come up with a mower deck that has a "teflon coating" underneath it.....as they would sell like hotcakes:0)
djdicetn
I generally clean my decks weekly, just use the mojack, lift and use a plastic scraper then the air hose.
ProLikeJesus,
I see there being two potential "problems" from accumulated grass/dirt/etc. under a mower deck. The first has been eluded to and that is trapped moisture causing rust and other deck material damage. The second(from my experience) is enough accumulated buildup that it "restricts" the ability of the blades to turn freely after hardening between mowings and when you go to mow again and engage the PTO.....ooooops there went my drive belt(if the blade won't turn.......something's gotta give:0)
In my last two lawn tractors(most recently a Craftsman 54"...made by Husqvarna) the stamped deck design and the blade tip speed allowed quite a bit of accumulation under the deck and after throwing one belt I began spraying underneath the deck with a garden hose each time I mowed to remove most of the large clumps to avoid that happening again.
You may notice some of the recent models of residential lawn tractors(and some ZTR's) have that hose-attachment dooie that allows you to attach a garden hose, turn it on, engage the blades and wash the deck out. My Craftsman didn't have that and I thought I wanted that on my next mower. What I discovered when shopping for a ZTR, though, was that a good quality ZTR(especially the Commercial units) don't suffer as much buildup due to (a)the deck design, particularly the fabricated decks with baffles underneath and (b)the blade tip speeds of around 18,000 fpm(there is so much turbulence and clipping ejection the stuff just can't "stick to" the deck)!!! I have mowed my yard 4 times with my new Gravely Pro-Turn 52" Commercial ZTR since buying it(this weekend after a rain the previous day) and upon inspecting under the deck each time about all I see is a "green stain" on the deck and spindles and very little if any grass stuck to the deck surface underneath(making me a VERY happy post-mowing cleanup guy)!!! I, like user Ric have purchased a MoJack and I will probably clean under my deck like he has recommended occaissionally(every 5 or 6 mowings).
I've also heard and had some advice about spraying underneath a new mower's deck with PAM cooking oil spay and every few mowings but I can't recommend that from experience. I actually tried a product called ZEPLON when I first bought the Craftsman lawn tractor(a "hard drying" form of silicone) but it didn't help a bit. Personally, I don't understand why some mower manufacturer hasn't come up with a mower deck that has a "teflon coating" underneath it.....as they would sell like hotcakes:0)
#14
lawn mower fanatic
lawn mower fanatic
didicetn,
Some mowers do have what you call a "teflon coating"...kinda. My Honda HRX's deck is made out of something called NeXite, which is what some car bumpers are made out of. It is very durable and the grass does not stick to it. I can't get myself to go back to the aluminum deck of my other mower!
Some mowers do have what you call a "teflon coating"...kinda. My Honda HRX's deck is made out of something called NeXite, which is what some car bumpers are made out of. It is very durable and the grass does not stick to it. I can't get myself to go back to the aluminum deck of my other mower!
#15
djdicetn
LMF,
Well you learn something new every day(and when it comes to lawn equipment, I've still got a LOT to learn). Leave it to Honda to pioneer that type of innovation!! I even considered removing the lawn tractor's deck, removing the blades & spindles and spray painting the underside of the deck with either marine or emron(airplane) paint which are supposed to be the heaviest duty(and "slickest") paints available. Then I found out you had to have special paint equipment and apply for a license/permit from the EPA to use emron(very toxic paint spray) and decided to just use the garden hose after mowing:0)
djdicetn
didicetn,
Some mowers do have what you call a "teflon coating"...kinda. My Honda HRX's deck is made out of something called NeXite, which is what some car bumpers are made out of. It is very durable and the grass does not stick to it. I can't get myself to go back to the aluminum deck of my other mower!
LMF,
Well you learn something new every day(and when it comes to lawn equipment, I've still got a LOT to learn). Leave it to Honda to pioneer that type of innovation!! I even considered removing the lawn tractor's deck, removing the blades & spindles and spray painting the underside of the deck with either marine or emron(airplane) paint which are supposed to be the heaviest duty(and "slickest") paints available. Then I found out you had to have special paint equipment and apply for a license/permit from the EPA to use emron(very toxic paint spray) and decided to just use the garden hose after mowing:0)
#16
lawn mower fanatic
That would be a good solution (to use airplane paint). It stinks that you need a permit!!
lawn mower fanatic
LMF,
Well you learn something new every day(and when it comes to lawn equipment, I've still got a LOT to learn). Leave it to Honda to pioneer that type of innovation!! I even considered removing the lawn tractor's deck, removing the blades & spindles and spray painting the underside of the deck with either marine or emron(airplane) paint which are supposed to be the heaviest duty(and "slickest") paints available. Then I found out you had to have special paint equipment and apply for a license/permit from the EPA to use emron(very toxic paint spray) and decided to just use the garden hose after mowing:0)
That would be a good solution (to use airplane paint). It stinks that you need a permit!!
#17
T
Tindal
T
Tindal
after i park my mower , I just light and throw a large pack of firecrackers under my deck , and BAM the deck is clean . Lol just kidding (but it might just work)
#18
W
Wag
W
Wag
Wash under my mower (Scag Tiger Cub w/48" advantage deck) deck after every cutting. Just run after for about 5 minutes with blades on to dry.
#19
J
Jeep Man
J
Jeep Man
I'm a light duty lawn guy. I have a Craftsman push mower. After every use, I wash the top and underside of the mower with a hose and blow the excess moisture off with the leaf blower. Leave it sitting in the Florida sun for an hour or so and it is ready to go back to the garage. Six years so far and only regular maintenance done.
#20
djdicetn
Wag,
I think the key to your regular cleaning method(as well as user Jeep Man) is to be sure to run the mower with blades on or somehow dry as much of the water before storage. When I cleaned under my previous 2006 Craftsman lawn tractor deck(and pretty well washed off the whole mower) with a garden hose spray nozzle I always drove it up & down my driveway with the blades engaged to dry out under the deck(and sling any water off the spindle pulleys to avoid it seeping into the spindles). Once in the garage I would towel dry the rest of the mower before parking it. After 6 seasons(300 hours) it still looked good and I did not detect any adverse effect from the cleaning. So far, though, on my new Gravely ZTR(only 4.5 hours after 4 mowings) I have just been using my air compressor with a pistol-grip triggered tube sprayer @ 125psi and blowing of the whole mower(except under the deck, where thus far there has been no "accumulatiion" just a green "stain" on the deck and spindles). I can't say that I "miss" washing all the grass clippings from under the Craftsman 54" deck(it "accumlated" a LOT of buildup....enough to affect the freedom of the blades to turn if left to dry:0(
djdicetn
Wash under my mower (Scag Tiger Cub w/48" advantage deck) deck after every cutting. Just run after for about 5 minutes with blades on to dry.
Wag,
I think the key to your regular cleaning method(as well as user Jeep Man) is to be sure to run the mower with blades on or somehow dry as much of the water before storage. When I cleaned under my previous 2006 Craftsman lawn tractor deck(and pretty well washed off the whole mower) with a garden hose spray nozzle I always drove it up & down my driveway with the blades engaged to dry out under the deck(and sling any water off the spindle pulleys to avoid it seeping into the spindles). Once in the garage I would towel dry the rest of the mower before parking it. After 6 seasons(300 hours) it still looked good and I did not detect any adverse effect from the cleaning. So far, though, on my new Gravely ZTR(only 4.5 hours after 4 mowings) I have just been using my air compressor with a pistol-grip triggered tube sprayer @ 125psi and blowing of the whole mower(except under the deck, where thus far there has been no "accumulatiion" just a green "stain" on the deck and spindles). I can't say that I "miss" washing all the grass clippings from under the Craftsman 54" deck(it "accumlated" a LOT of buildup....enough to affect the freedom of the blades to turn if left to dry:0(
#21
T
ththomasjr
T
ththomasjr
I have a lawn boy that's over 25 years old. I've always sprayed this mower with a hose.
#22
djdicetn
Generally, there's nothing wrong with that but if you are'nt making sure it has dried before storing it you are fortunate that you don't have any rust problems on the deck or frame. Some mower owner manuals(like my 2006 Craftsman/Husqvarna) discouraged cleaning with water and my new Gravely warns against spraying the Hydrogear hydrostatic drive trannies befrore they have time to cool(probably to avoid cracking the aluminum housing). But I've always said..." a clean mower is a happy mower"(and generally will last you longer:0)
djdicetn
I have a lawn boy that's over 25 years old. I've always sprayed this mower with a hose.
Generally, there's nothing wrong with that but if you are'nt making sure it has dried before storing it you are fortunate that you don't have any rust problems on the deck or frame. Some mower owner manuals(like my 2006 Craftsman/Husqvarna) discouraged cleaning with water and my new Gravely warns against spraying the Hydrogear hydrostatic drive trannies befrore they have time to cool(probably to avoid cracking the aluminum housing). But I've always said..." a clean mower is a happy mower"(and generally will last you longer:0)
#23
T
twinfords
T
twinfords
i usually air hose my mowers down after every use, i will wash it occasionally and air dry it also. The poor design of some mowers makes you have to blow them off after every use. i have recieved lots of mowers so caked up with grasss they would not start, engage etc. several the shoot was so clogged with grass it would not cut as well.
#24
djdicetn
twinfords,
That's a spot on assessment of the need for this type of maintenance!! Besides that, there's nothing like caked up grass & dirt under a deck to mess up a good pto electric clutch or throw a belt:0(
djdicetn
i usually air hose my mowers down after every use, i will wash it occasionally and air dry it also. The poor design of some mowers makes you have to blow them off after every use. i have recieved lots of mowers so caked up with grasss they would not start, engage etc. several the shoot was so clogged with grass it would not cut as well.
twinfords,
That's a spot on assessment of the need for this type of maintenance!! Besides that, there's nothing like caked up grass & dirt under a deck to mess up a good pto electric clutch or throw a belt:0(
#25
Ric
I've been watching this thread and I've heard all the remedies for grass build up, spray this, spray that and I don't believe that they have anything that can keep a deck clean.
Some one said just mow when it's dry and you should have a problem and for some that may work but what about the guys that get up in the morning and have to be mowing at 7:30 am everyday and everything is wet? The guys that have too mow in the rain.
Seriously I should clean my decks daily and I'll bet I can remove five lbs of grass a day. Now if you want to cut your build up two things you can try is do not mulch, do not use things like Gator blades because the finer the grass is cut the more problems you have with grass build up. Oh and bagging doesn't really help the situation either.
Ric
ProLikeJesus,
I see there being two potential "problems" from accumulated grass/dirt/etc. under a mower deck. The first has been eluded to and that is trapped moisture causing rust and other deck material damage. The second(from my experience) is enough accumulated buildup that it "restricts" the ability of the blades to turn freely after hardening between mowings and when you go to mow again and engage the PTO.....ooooops there went my drive belt(if the blade won't turn.......something's gotta give:0)
In my last two lawn tractors(most recently a Craftsman 54"...made by Husqvarna) the stamped deck design and the blade tip speed allowed quite a bit of accumulation under the deck and after throwing one belt I began spraying underneath the deck with a garden hose each time I mowed to remove most of the large clumps to avoid that happening again.
You may notice some of the recent models of residential lawn tractors(and some ZTR's) have that hose-attachment dooie that allows you to attach a garden hose, turn it on, engage the blades and wash the deck out. My Craftsman didn't have that and I thought I wanted that on my next mower. What I discovered when shopping for a ZTR, though, was that a good quality ZTR(especially the Commercial units) don't suffer as much buildup due to (a)the deck design, particularly the fabricated decks with baffles underneath and (b)the blade tip speeds of around 18,000 fpm(there is so much turbulence and clipping ejection the stuff just can't "stick to" the deck)!!! I have mowed my yard 4 times with my new Gravely Pro-Turn 52" Commercial ZTR since buying it(this weekend after a rain the previous day) and upon inspecting under the deck each time about all I see is a "green stain" on the deck and spindles and very little if any grass stuck to the deck surface underneath(making me a VERY happy post-mowing cleanup guy)!!! I, like user Ric have purchased a MoJack and I will probably clean under my deck like he has recommended occaissionally(every 5 or 6 mowings).
I've also heard and had some advice about spraying underneath a new mower's deck with PAM cooking oil spay and every few mowings but I can't recommend that from experience. I actually tried a product called ZEPLON when I first bought the Craftsman lawn tractor(a "hard drying" form of silicone) but it didn't help a bit. Personally, I don't understand why some mower manufacturer hasn't come up with a mower deck that has a "teflon coating" underneath it.....as they would sell like hotcakes:0)
I've been watching this thread and I've heard all the remedies for grass build up, spray this, spray that and I don't believe that they have anything that can keep a deck clean.
Some one said just mow when it's dry and you should have a problem and for some that may work but what about the guys that get up in the morning and have to be mowing at 7:30 am everyday and everything is wet? The guys that have too mow in the rain.
Seriously I should clean my decks daily and I'll bet I can remove five lbs of grass a day. Now if you want to cut your build up two things you can try is do not mulch, do not use things like Gator blades because the finer the grass is cut the more problems you have with grass build up. Oh and bagging doesn't really help the situation either.
#26
lawn mower fanatic
I use my HRR on my own lawn and even in the middle of the afternoon on a sunny day it clogs. You can tell because the mower sounds more high-pitched. It gets SOOOO clogged SOOOO easily! My neighbor was mowing and I don't think he ever cleans the mower (he has a Toro 21in.). I swear I thought he was using a 2-cycle blower, but I look outside, and he was mowing....that is how bad the mower sounds because it is so clogged with grass!!
lawn mower fanatic
I've been watching this thread and I've heard all the remedies for grass build up, spray this, spray that and I don't believe that they have anything that can keep a deck clean.
Some one said just mow when it's dry and you should have a problem and for some that may work but what about the guys that get up in the morning and have to be mowing at 7:30 am everyday and everything is wet? The guys that have too mow in the rain.
Seriously I should clean my decks daily and I'll bet I can remove five lbs of grass a day. Now if you want to cut your build up two things you can try is do not mulch, do not use things like Gator blades because the finer the grass is cut the more problems you have with grass build up. Oh and bagging doesn't really help the situation either.
I use my HRR on my own lawn and even in the middle of the afternoon on a sunny day it clogs. You can tell because the mower sounds more high-pitched. It gets SOOOO clogged SOOOO easily! My neighbor was mowing and I don't think he ever cleans the mower (he has a Toro 21in.). I swear I thought he was using a 2-cycle blower, but I look outside, and he was mowing....that is how bad the mower sounds because it is so clogged with grass!!
#27
djdicetn
P.S.
When I think about it, the tire industry has the technology and rubber compounds now to make an automobile/truck tire with a tread that would last 500,000 miles...but what would that do to their profit margin and I'd bet the mower industry has some ideas for a deck that wouldn't ever clog and would last a lifetime...but the deck is usually the first thing to "wear out" and how would that affect their sales????
djdicetn
Yeah, even the repair technician at the Gravely dealer told me..."spray underneath the deck with PAM, it really works". I'm pretty sure my next door neighbor tried that for a while on his Ariens 1648 ZTR and eventually abandoned the idea(I'll ask him if he still does it, but my money is on him saying no). I still think one of the major ZTR players should figure out a way to put a teflon surface on the underside of their decks. That would have to work.....wouldn't it????? I think when I suggested that to someone they replied that the metal surface of a frying pan/etc. had to be heated to some ungodly temperature(like 1500 degrees fahrenheit) to bond teflon to the metal surface and it just wasn't feasible with a large mower deck. But a few decades ago one would say...."man on the moon, electric cars.....RIGHT":0)I've been watching this thread and I've heard all the remedies for grass build up, spray this, spray that and I don't believe that they have anything that can keep a deck clean.
Some one said just mow when it's dry and you should have a problem and for some that may work but what about the guys that get up in the morning and have to be mowing at 7:30 am everyday and everything is wet? The guys that have too mow in the rain.
Seriously I should clean my decks daily and I'll bet I can remove five lbs of grass a day. Now if you want to cut your build up two things you can try is do not mulch, do not use things like Gator blades because the finer the grass is cut the more problems you have with grass build up. Oh and bagging doesn't really help the situation either.
P.S.
When I think about it, the tire industry has the technology and rubber compounds now to make an automobile/truck tire with a tread that would last 500,000 miles...but what would that do to their profit margin and I'd bet the mower industry has some ideas for a deck that wouldn't ever clog and would last a lifetime...but the deck is usually the first thing to "wear out" and how would that affect their sales????