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Use Mo-Deck or Clean Machine on NeXite Deck?

Jul 16, 2013#1

P

pmillen

My previous mower had an aluminum deck that grass stuck to. Cleaning the underside was drudgery after mowing. Do you think that Mo-Deck or Clean Machine treatment will be worthwhile on the HRX217HYA NeXite deck?

Jul 16, 2013#2

D

dfbrown

pmillen said:
My previous mower had an aluminum deck that grass stuck to. Cleaning the underside was drudgery after mowing. Do you think that Mo-Deck or Clean Machine treatment will be worthwhile on the HRX217HYA NeXite deck?

I am not familiar with those products but you could try pam or a silecone treatment possibliy to make it slick but at the end of the day if you are constantly using the mower a couple times a week, your going to have to clean it underneath reguardless of what you put under the deck. Just keep under the deck clean & keep blades sharp for best cut quality!

Jul 17, 2013#3

Kodie's Lawn Service

pmillen said:
My previous mower had an aluminum deck that grass stuck to. Cleaning the underside was drudgery after mowing. Do you think that Mo-Deck or Clean Machine treatment will be worthwhile on the HRX217HYA NeXite deck?

your gonna have to clean it so mean not much i know they make not stick sprays idk if they work

Jul 17, 2013#4

lawn mower fanatic

pmillen said:
My previous mower had an aluminum deck that grass stuck to. Cleaning the underside was drudgery after mowing. Do you think that Mo-Deck or Clean Machine treatment will be worthwhile on the HRX217HYA NeXite deck?

It might be. I notice more grass sticks to the deck now after hundreds of hours of use. It might be that the deck is becoming less slick, or it might just be that I am looking under it more. That might be a good product to get.

Jul 21, 2013#5

P

pmillen

Well, I sprayed it with Clean Machine. Clean Machine seems to dry (or bond) when sprayed on other surfaces but stays like an oil film on the NeXite.

So the underside and top of the deck has a coating somewhat like Vaseline on it. (Yes, I sprayed the deck top, too. I couldn't help myself it looked so good.) The red engine shield and black discharge guard door dried and look great! There will be no way to tell if the Clean Machine makes any difference 'cause I don't have an untreated surface to compare to.

Jul 21, 2013#6

lawn mower fanatic

pmillen said:
Well, I sprayed it with Clean Machine. Clean Machine seems to dry when sprayed on other surfaces but stays like an oil film on the NeXite.

So the underside and top of the deck has a coating somewhat like Vaseline on it. (Yes, I sprayed the deck top, too. I couldn't help myself it looked so good.) The red engine shield and black discharge guard door dried and look great! There will be no way to tell if the Clean Machine makes any difference 'cause I don't have an untreated surface to compare to.

Maybe you could tell us how long it takes to wear off? :smile:

Jul 22, 2013#7

P

pmillen

lawn mower fanatic said:
Maybe you could tell us how long it takes to wear off? :smile:

It may be difficult to tell when it's worn off. I just finished mowing but I was so hot, drenched in sweat and thirsty that I just put the mower away without looking under the deck. So I don't know how much grass collected on the deck underside.

I'll add my observations to this thread as I gain experience.

Jul 23, 2013#8

J

JSB33

I waxed the underside of the deck of my Honda with a couple coats before the blade ever touched grass but was disappointed that it really didn't do anything for me. There was still plenty of grass underneath. I think we are fooling ourselves in thinking that whatever lubricant we use will hold up to the assault that goes on underneath the deck when mowing.
The good news is that its very easy to clean the underside on the Nexite deck. Its important to let the mower cool off before cleaning but after 30 minutes, you should be able to get it very clean with the hose and maybe a bit of brush work. I use a stiff nylon brush for the stubborn areas. And a putty knife for the caked on stuff. It only takes a couple minutes of easy work and it will look great. It will be much easier than your old metal deck.

Jul 23, 2013#9

lawn mower fanatic

JSB33 said:
I waxed the underside of the deck of my Honda with a couple coats before the blade ever touched grass but was disappointed that it really didn't do anything for me. There was still plenty of grass underneath. I think we are fooling ourselves in thinking that whatever lubricant we use will hold up to the assault that goes on underneath the deck when mowing.
The good news is that its very easy to clean the underside on the Nexite deck. Its important to let the mower cool off before cleaning but after 30 minutes, you should be able to get it very clean with the hose and maybe a bit of brush work. I use a stiff nylon brush for the stubborn areas. And a putty knife for the caked on stuff. It only takes a couple minutes of easy work and it will look great. It will be much easier than your old metal deck.

I have two "putty knives" I use to clean the underside of the deck, but the one is actually made to do this, the other is an actual putty knife. The HRX has so many cracks and crevices under the mower deck sometimes you need more than one tool to clean it.

Jul 23, 2013#10

exotion

lawn mower fanatic said:
I have two "putty knives" I use to clean the underside of the deck, but the one is actually made to do this, the other is an actual putty knife. The HRX has so many cracks and crevices under the mower deck sometimes you need more than one tool to clean it.

<img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15931"/> <img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15932"/>

A lot of those crevaces especially around the outside of the blade housing seem pretty excessive and pointless? Look to be there to make the machine look bigger.

Jul 24, 2013#11

J

JSB33

exotion said:
A lot of those crevaces especially around the outside of the blade housing seem pretty excessive and pointless? Look to be there to make the machine look bigger.

They are there for strength. They stiffen the chassis.

Jul 24, 2013#12

lawn mower fanatic

JSB33 said:
They are there for strength. They stiffen the chassis.

Yep they do! :thumbsup:

Aug 21, 2013#13

P

pmillen

It cleans rather well. I don't know if the Clean Machine treatment has contributed to that. I spray it with my garden hose/Bon-Aire nozzle and it cleans up except for an area at the deck's inside bottom edge. What looks like grass stain doesn't wash off.

Bon-Aire nozzle.

Anyone have a good reason for waiting for the engine to cool before washing? This is the first engine I've owned that has that cautionary statement. Can't I wash my hot Honda motorcycle or ride it in the rain? I call BS.

Aug 21, 2013#14

Kodie's Lawn Service

Reason not is it can crack the motor that's why they say not wash them also it makes rust come about quicker

Aug 21, 2013#15

G

GregGA

K-Pro-Mowing said:
Reason not is it can crack the motor that's why they say not wash them also it makes rust come about quicker

Come on guys. I don't wait 30 minutes. Just tilt the mower up a spray under the deck, not the engine:smile: I also use the hose on the upper area without
the nozzle , just don't spray the engine block.

It takes me about 5 minutes to wash the deck and it cleans up great. Better than my Toro AL deck.

Aug 21, 2013#16

P

pmillen

K-Pro-Mowing said:
Reason not is it can crack the motor that's why they say not wash them also it makes rust come about quicker

Wetting a hot engine makes rust faster? I don't agree. It dries faster reducing the likelihood of rust and the engine exterior isn't prone to rust damage. I think that was a guess.

Crack the motor? From uneven or rapid cooling? A lot of engines survive getting wet when hot, even Hondas. Again, I think that's a guess on your part. I don't want to be argumentative or start a spitting match but I always say, "If you don't have data you're just another guy with an opinion." I think (guess) it's a Honda escape clause to avoid warranty claims. "Oh, Greg, you've been washing the engine when it's hot. That violates the warranty requirements."

Aug 22, 2013#17

J

JSB33

Robert from Honda made a post some time back about why not to do this. You will have to search for it but it was something about letting the bearings/seals cool down before hitting them with high pressure water from a hose.

For me, following this advice is not a problem, I finish cutting, put everything away and use the blower to clean off the driveway and by the time I am finished, the mower is cooled down. Plus I only clean it about every 5-10 cuts.

Aug 22, 2013#18

C

cope784

lawn mower fanatic said:
I have two "putty knives" I use to clean the underside of the deck, but the one is actually made to do this, the other is an actual putty knife. The HRX has so many cracks and crevices under the mower deck sometimes you need more than one tool to clean it.

<img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15931"/> <img src="http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=15932"/>

Where did you get the "rounded" putty knife?

Aug 22, 2013#19

lawn mower fanatic

cope784 said:
Where did you get the "rounded" putty knife?

It was displayed on the Customer Service desk at my Honda dealer. It's made especially for lawn mowers. It's made by HYDE.

Hyde-Tools | For a better finish, start with Hyde.

Aug 22, 2013#20

Kodie's Lawn Service

pmillen said:
Wetting a hot engine makes rust faster? I don't agree. It dries faster reducing the likelihood of rust and the engine exterior isn't prone to rust damage. I think that was a guess.

Crack the motor? From uneven or rapid cooling? A lot of engines survive getting wet when hot, even Hondas. Again, I think that's a guess on your part. I don't want to be argumentative or start a spitting match but I always say, "If you don't have data you're just another guy with an opinion." I think (guess) it's a Honda escape clause to avoid warranty claims. "Oh, Greg, you've been washing the engine when it's hot. That violates the warranty requirements."

No I am saying that water on a deck can make it rust faster never said the engine

Aug 22, 2013#21

lawn mower fanatic

K-Pro-Mowing said:
No I am saying that water on a deck can make it rust faster never said the engine

Luckily the HRX has a NeXite deck!

Aug 22, 2013#22

P

pmillen

K-Pro-Mowing said:
No I am saying that water on a deck can make it rust faster never said the engine

Sorry, I didn't read it properly. I don't have that concern, my deck is some sort of polymer.

Aug 22, 2013#23

exotion

Why don't people just use 409 a dish brush and a pressure washer

Aug 22, 2013#24

P

pmillen

JSB33 said:
Robert from Honda made a post some time back about why not to do this. You will have to search for it but it was something about letting the bearings/seals cool down before hitting them with high pressure water from a hose.

I'll see if I can find that post.

Bearings? Which ones? The hot ones? Inside the engine isn't a worry. Cool ones like wheel bearings aren't a problem getting wet. Maybe the blade bearing and some in the drive mechanism are hot. I find this curious.

Seals? Hmmmm.

I'll look for the post. If someone else finds it please tip me off.

Aug 22, 2013#25

Kodie's Lawn Service

lawn mower fanatic said:
Luckily the HRX has a NeXite deck!

pmillen said:
Sorry, I didn't read it properly. I don't have that concern, my deck is some sort of polymer.

very werid an never knew this

Aug 23, 2013#26

lawn mower fanatic

pmillen said:
I'll see if I can find that post.

Bearings? Which ones? The hot ones? Inside the engine isn't a worry. Cool ones like wheel bearings aren't a problem getting wet. Maybe the blade bearing and some in the drive mechanism are hot. I find this curious.

Seals? Hmmmm.

I'll look for the post. If someone else finds it please tip me off.

Here? http://www.lawnmowerforum.com/honda-forum/15563-hrx217hya-engine-deck-washing-cable-lube.html (Post #3)

"The "let the engine cool before washing" language has been in Honda manuals for years; here's the science/why:

--When the engine heats up, so do the bearings. Hot metal expands, including the space/gap in the bearing.
--Spraying water near the hot bearings leaves a lot of moisture near and inside the gaps.
--As the bearing cools, the air pressure drops, and actually draws in water inside the bearing.
--Water trapped in the bearing causes rust to form, and eventually, the bearing will fail.

This is more likely to happen on mowers with a blade clutch, vs. those with blades bolted directing to the crankshaft.

Silicone is the best overall lube for cables; once a year is probably just fine, but if you notice them binding or getting stiff, a bit more often is better."

Aug 25, 2013#27

P

pmillen

lawn mower fanatic said:
"The "let the engine cool before washing" language has been in Honda manuals for years; here's the science/why:

--When the engine heats up, so do the bearings. Hot metal expands, including the space/gap in the bearing.
--Spraying water near the hot bearings leaves a lot of moisture near and inside the gaps.
--As the bearing cools, the air pressure drops, and actually draws in water inside the bearing.
--Water trapped in the bearing causes rust to form, and eventually, the bearing will fail.

This is more likely to happen on mowers with a blade clutch, vs. those with blades bolted directing to the crankshaft.

Silicone is the best overall lube for cables; once a year is probably just fine, but if you notice them binding or getting stiff, a bit more often is better."

This is obviously the gospel of Saint Honda but I don't believe it for a minute. Honda certainly doesn't have comparable failures when I ride my Honda motorcycle or drive my Honda car in the rain. Do I need to stop using my Honda snow throwers as soon as the parts get warm enough to melt snow? And apparently my Honda outboard motor, with bearings and seals that might get wet, is destined to fail. Or does Honda intentionally put failure-prone seals and bearings only in mowers?

I still have my John Deere 14SB owners' manual. Nothing like that in it. Apparently Honda is admitting that their equipment is susceptible to damage that doesn't concern John Deere owners.

As I wrote, "I don't believe it for a minute."

Aug 25, 2013#28

G

GregGA

pmillen said:
This is obviously the gospel of Saint Honda but I don't believe it for a minute. Honda certainly doesn't have comparable failures when I ride my Honda motorcycle or drive my Honda car in the rain. Do I need to stop using my Honda snow throwers as soon as the parts get warm enough to melt snow? And apparently my Honda outboard motor, with bearings and seals that might get wet, is destined to fail. Or does Honda intentionally put failure-prone seals and bearings only in mowers?

I still have my John Deere 14SB owners' manual. Nothing like that in it. Apparently Honda is admitting that their equipment is susceptible to damage that doesn't concern John Deere owners.

As I wrote, "I don't believe it for a minute."

I too have to believe it is some kind of CYA, but why?

I tried something new yesterday when I cleaned the HRX: I tipped it up and used the leaf blower under the deck. It worked very good, and saved me the effort of washing the grass off the drive way. It's easier to blow it off.

Now, will using the force of hot air blow the grass into the gaps of the bearings and seals

Aug 25, 2013#29

P

pmillen

GregGA said:
I tried something new yesterday when I cleaned the HRX: I tipped it up and used the leaf blower under the deck. It worked very good, and saved me the effort of washing the grass off the drive way. It's easier to blow it off.:

Great idea! I have a leaf blower that will blow the hair off of your head. I'm going to try it.

GregGA said:
Now, will using the force of hot air blow the grass into the gaps of the bearings and seals

:laughing:

Aug 28, 2013#30

C

cope784

lawn mower fanatic said:
It was displayed on the Customer Service desk at my Honda dealer. It's made especially for lawn mowers. It's made by HYDE.

Hyde-Tools | For a better finish, start with Hyde.

I appreciate the info and link.

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Use Mo-Deck or Clean Machine on NeXite Deck?

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