How to keep mowing deck clean

[parsonbw]

What is the recommended way to keep grass from loading up under mowing deck. I've tried several
ways, but to no avail. If you can help, thanks ahead of time. parsonbw

 

[oosik]

Well, I'm not to sure what type of mowing deck you have but........ I have a JD riding mower with 54" deck. I've tried everything short of pulling the entire riding mower up vertical and using my pressure washer.

My answer - I chip pine trees(2" to 6" on the butt) to thin & improve the stands. This leaves LARGE piles of pine chips all over my 80 acres. I simply drive the riding mower up on top of a pile, engage the blade and lower the mower down onto the chips. I run it that way for about five minuets and when done the underside is clean as a whistle. Since its pine chips, which are soft, it causes no damage to the blade or underside of the mower. This brain storm came to me last year as I was "gooping out" the green snot on the underside.

 

[Thomas]

Both my mowers good scraping than WD40 helps.

 

[Creamer]

My mower decks tip up at 90 degrees so it is an easy scrape. I use a four inch paint scaper and in less than a minute the deck is clean. Though neither of mine builds up much - mower deck design is critical to making them easy to clean.

 

[oosik]

Hmmmm......... I often wonder if design isn't a big factor. Whatever - half the grass it cuts and most all the dirt I scrape seems to collect on the underside.

 

[hslogger]

I have an lx 172 and lx178, two upper level old John Deere riding mowers. I have rough ground on a farm and not anywhere near a pristine super manicured outfit. I don't take big bits in tall grass, and if grass is super high, I overlap my mowing or set the cut level high on the first pass and the come back when done and drop the deck to a lower level.

I hose my decks almost every time I use the mowers. Sometimes i take the putty knife to them. The only problem I have ever had is mowing tall wet grass and essentially asking more of the mower than it was built to provide. Also I keep my blades SHARP. I have extra sets and keep the blades sharp, putting the sharp ones on very often.

 

[Creamer]

I have an lx 172 and lx178, two upper level old John Deere riding mowers. I have rough ground on a farm and not anywhere near a pristine super manicured outfit. I don't take big bits in tall grass, and if grass is super high, I overlap my mowing or set the cut level high on the first pass and the come back when done and drop the deck to a lower level.

I hose my decks almost every time I use the mowers. Sometimes i take the putty knife to them. The only problem I have ever had is mowing tall wet grass and essentially asking more of the mower than it was built to provide. Also I keep my blades SHARP. I have extra sets and keep the blades sharp, putting the sharp ones on very often.

I think sharp blades really help especially in wet conditions because the grass is still in pieces and not smashed into mush.

 

[parsonbw]

I'm limited by age and physical condition to the blade scrape and other methods that were fine years ago. I was hoping there was a spray to create a barrier to stop the grass buildup.
I have a JD with 48 inch deck, and a smooth and thick yard. It's easy to load up the underside of the deck when mowing on damp grass. The physical part is what has me searching for a quick fix. Thanks for all the replies. parsonbw

 

[M5farms]

mowing after the dew drys will solve most of it. I have never in my 50 years cleaned the underside of a mower deck other than take a air hose to it when im fixing to change the blades. Ive had it bank up on me so I just wait a little longer. We cut 2 acres every week and its just Bahia and Bermuda.

 

[parsonbw]

Thanks for the replies, men. The old gray mare ain't what she used to be!!!!

 

[Spanner]

Does your JD deck have the "Wash-Port" fitting on the left side? Connect the hose and run the blades when you're finished mowing. Works great if you lift/lower the deck a few times to allow air induced to agitate the debris.

If you don't have the fitting one is easily installed. Port # GX22426 + Washer # 24M7100 + Screw # 37M7458.

 

[4get gto]

Does your JD deck have the "Wash-Port" fitting on the left side? Connect the hose and run the blades when you're finished mowing. Works great if you lift/lower the deck a few times to allow air induced to agitate the debris.

If you don't have the fitting one is easily installed. Port # GX22426 + Washer # 24M7100 + Screw # 37M7458.

That's what I was thinking too. Weld a hose fitting in the deck. When done mowing hook up a hose and run the deck. Works pretty well and simple.

 

[hslogger]

Thanks for the replies, men. The old gray mare ain't what she used to be!!!!

I can savvy your frustration with the calendar pages rolling by. I sprung for one of those harbor freight lawnmower jacks a couple years ago and all I can say is that it makes the under deck cleaning, greasing and blade changing one heck of a lot EASIER. Northern sells them as do other outfits and they are worth what ever you gotta pay for one.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Could the John Deere kit be installed on my 60” 7 Iron deck. Never seen these on the commercial mowers?

 

[two_bit_score]

Could the John Deere kit be installed on my 60 7 Iron deck. Never seen these on the commercial mowers?

Here is one from Sears but JD probably has them too.

Lawn Tractor Deck Washout Port | Part Number 49-9-M61
| Sears PartsDirect

 

[two_bit_score]

I'm limited by age and physical condition to the blade scrape and other methods that were fine years ago. I was hoping there was a spray to create a barrier to stop the grass buildup.
I have a JD with 48 inch deck, and a smooth and thick yard. It's easy to load up the underside of the deck when mowing on damp grass. The physical part is what has me searching for a quick fix. Thanks for all the replies. parsonbw

There is a spray for everything.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Good-Vib...50058&wl11=online&wl12=19240985&wl13=&veh=sem

 

[BoylermanCT]

What type of blades are you running? I found hi lift blades keep my deck cleaner than the gator blades do. The Gator blades chop things up and seems to stick to the deck more.

How high do you mow? I used to keep my field at 4.5". I would mow every week, and have to paint scrape every time. I switched to 3.5" and much less build up. Seems the taller grass retains more moisture and makes for a messier deck.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Here the whole John Deere kit. Didn’t know JD sold anything for $7.84?

John Deere Mower Deck Wash-Port Kit - GX22426-KIT


If you install this on a deck that didn’t have it originally, is location critical?

 

[lostcreekranch]

Here’s another kit I found at Home Depot.

MTD Genuine Factory Parts 42 in. Tractor Deck Wash Kit-49-9-M61 - The Home Depot

I think the wash port with o-ring and nut would seal better?

 

[jerrybob]

I use my floor jack to lift the front of my LT180 after mowing.....then use an air hose to blow out the gunk. Works well.