How do you clean a lawn mower?

[Buster57]

How do people that know-clean up commercial lawn mowers?

Seems like a stupid question, but I just bought a really good lawn mower and would like to know if simply spraying the equipment off with a low pressure hose and clearing off the obvious crud then trowel drying is adequate?

I would carefully pressure wash the deck about 4 times a year as a follow-up.

Typical use will be about 4 hours per week-max (until my son gets older, brighter, and realizes that $5 per week wont cut it with a date. At that time I expect the use on the Honda and my Kubota to increase dramatically…)

I maintain my stuff as a hobby, so it always shines, but it is possible to create a problem with lawn mowers by over maintenance.

I am very interested in reading your responses.

Thank you,


“Buster”

 

[Molerj]

I use a pressure washer on my equipment & all the equipment that I work on. I don't do the underside of the deck every time unless I have been cutting damp grass.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

<font color="blue"> How do people that know-clean up commercial lawn mowers?
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I tell a teenager do it for me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Hambone]

When I do wash I always blow dry with air hose. I don't like the water sitting in places it would not normally sit.

 

[RET]

I use a pressure washer myself. The downside to that is you will inevitably destroy those pretty decals. Also, many folks have posted valid concerns about blasting water into bearings, etc where only grease should be. When I don't forget, I try to hit all the grease zerks with a couple of shots of grease after a power wash.
For areas that get greasy and grimy, I start with one of those cheap ($0.78/can) WallMart engine cleaners (not the solvent-laden ones that dissolve paint, but the milder one that states on the label that it is paint-friendly). Does a decent job of breaking up grease/grime so that power washer easily washes it off.
As has already been stated, blowing off collected water is another good practive. If I don't have my air compressor out, then I fire up the leaf blower and blast out the bulk of the standing water...I think the leaf blower does a faster job anyway...much more air flow.
Must be my type of grass...but I don't ever have much grass collecting under the deck. On occassion, I might stick the power wash wand under there for a quick sweep. There was a post a while back about special wands that work well for cleaning under the deck. Simplest form was a wand with a 90 deg. bend near the end...could probably make one yourself if interested. Makes it simple to reach under deck and clean the under side.
And don't forget....wax the little girl and armor-all her tires before putting her to bed /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif (find the 'do you wax your tractor' thread for tools and techniques!)
roger

 

[Poncho]

I do what RET does... I rinse it with a water hose (run off the house which is actually soft... never worry about spots) and then I crank up the gas blower for 205 mph wind. It's about 2-3 years old, has 23 hours (I mow fast), let it cool (very important), then rinse and blow dry. She looks as good as new.

 

[pajoube]

The underside of the deck is the most criticle part to clean. I always use a putty knife to scrape the grass out after each mowing. After 10 years the underside is rust free which is a real problem for those that don't.
PJ

 

[slowrev]

If you want to keep the underside of your mower deck rust free just put a couple of good coats of Rustoleum on it after each seasons use. Works great and the paint has time to really cure good before you use it again in the spring. I have a 35 year old Gravely rider with no deck rust. If you just count on cleaning, it will rust. With the Rustoleum on there you don't even have to worry about cleaning unless it gets clogged up /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif If you already have rust use the Rusty metal primer first, then the topcoat.