Anonymous Poster
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Any suggestions on the best and easiest way to clean out all of the build up under the deck on a riding lawn mower?
cleaning mower deck?
- Thread starter Anonymous Poster
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beenthere
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I'm not much for big words, but are "<font color=blue>best and easiest<font color=black>" what I've heard to be oxymoron's.
To me, it depends on how long the stuff has been under there. Also, depends on how easy the mower deck comes off - if easy, taking it off and scraping the caked-on grass out with a putty knife or wonder bar (I like) is a way. If the deck is difficult to remove (there are many brands that are), then just driving the front wheels onto a curb or ramp, and crawling under with a scraper of some kind is another way.
High pressure washers may work, as well as a regular garden hose if given enough time to 'wear' it off.
None of these are really "easy".
"best" to me is to not let it build up in the first place, before hosing it clean before it dries and cakes on.
If I mow wet grass, I clean it right away. Like I learned with a horse (when I was young), never put it back in the barn wet. I usually use the air hose after every mowing, and blow the dust and debris off (including under the deck) before putting it away. Just the rotten stink from wet, molding grass under a deck can be enough to choke one and cause one to keep the deck clean.
I got carried away here, not meaning to imply (because I don't know) that you are not taking care of your deck, but just asking an honest question.
If there are "best and easy" ways, I hope to hear about them too.
To me, it depends on how long the stuff has been under there. Also, depends on how easy the mower deck comes off - if easy, taking it off and scraping the caked-on grass out with a putty knife or wonder bar (I like) is a way. If the deck is difficult to remove (there are many brands that are), then just driving the front wheels onto a curb or ramp, and crawling under with a scraper of some kind is another way.
High pressure washers may work, as well as a regular garden hose if given enough time to 'wear' it off.
None of these are really "easy".
"best" to me is to not let it build up in the first place, before hosing it clean before it dries and cakes on.
If I mow wet grass, I clean it right away. Like I learned with a horse (when I was young), never put it back in the barn wet. I usually use the air hose after every mowing, and blow the dust and debris off (including under the deck) before putting it away. Just the rotten stink from wet, molding grass under a deck can be enough to choke one and cause one to keep the deck clean.
I got carried away here, not meaning to imply (because I don't know) that you are not taking care of your deck, but just asking an honest question.
If there are "best and easy" ways, I hope to hear about them too.
Thomas
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If you plan to clean your mower deck while still install..than get some good ramps,putty knife and a garden hose.
If you have the mower off..putty knife,wire brush,soap and water,than after drying sray a heavy coat of food{Pam etc..} spray it help for a short time.
If you have the mower off..putty knife,wire brush,soap and water,than after drying sray a heavy coat of food{Pam etc..} spray it help for a short time.
s1120
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Just do what I do. Just mow over a bunch fo sticks, rocks, and stumps. Works for me./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Oh, BTW, I need anouther set of blades. /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif something must be wrong with my tractor, this is my third set this year./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Argee
Silver Member
S1120,
I've got the same problem with my mower./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif I keep an extra set sharpened for when I get in deck cleaning mode./w3tcompact/icons/clever.gif
I've got the same problem with my mower./w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif I keep an extra set sharpened for when I get in deck cleaning mode./w3tcompact/icons/clever.gif
I always just used a garden hose with a nozzle & made sure that there were no "pools" left anywhere on the deck. The rest of the remaining moisture was left to air/sun dry for an hour or two.
On my "push" mower for close to the house (4 hp Craftsman) I wash off the top and then flip it on its side and hose off the underneath to remove all buildup. Slight amount of surface rust on the underside after 11 years, but nothing structural. No rust on top (still looks new).
My thought process is this: Better to have moisture (i.e. hose wash & dry) for a short time than have moisture (i.e. grass clippings) sit for a long time.
On my "push" mower for close to the house (4 hp Craftsman) I wash off the top and then flip it on its side and hose off the underneath to remove all buildup. Slight amount of surface rust on the underside after 11 years, but nothing structural. No rust on top (still looks new).
My thought process is this: Better to have moisture (i.e. hose wash & dry) for a short time than have moisture (i.e. grass clippings) sit for a long time.
PBMAX
Platinum Member
Sounds like we all have the same kinda fun.
I was spraying the under side with a silicon lube...after each washing....Works ok...
But I use my gas leaf blower 1st. Then wash it off with the hose... Then spray it...
I prefer the blower because I can use it any where....instead of up buy the house like the air hose....
I was spraying the under side with a silicon lube...after each washing....Works ok...
But I use my gas leaf blower 1st. Then wash it off with the hose... Then spray it...
I prefer the blower because I can use it any where....instead of up buy the house like the air hose....
PBurns-
Sounds like a pretty good system. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Never spent the time spraying the underside with lube, but have a habit of whenever I use a shovel, I wash off the stuck clay/dirt with the hose and shoot a little WD-40 on it before I store it. Current shovel is about 10 yrs old - 0% rust. An ounce of prevention (or a "shot" of WD-40 /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif) goes a long way.
Sounds like a pretty good system. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Never spent the time spraying the underside with lube, but have a habit of whenever I use a shovel, I wash off the stuck clay/dirt with the hose and shoot a little WD-40 on it before I store it. Current shovel is about 10 yrs old - 0% rust. An ounce of prevention (or a "shot" of WD-40 /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif) goes a long way.
