Mower Deck cleaning

JimD · Apr 30, 2003

mathey,
Maybe I don't understand your post. I don't think Slip plate will help the grass come out of the deck. It just helps keep the grass from sticking to the underside of the deck.

mathey · Apr 30, 2003

right you are...let me re-phrase sorta...i had a problem last season with grass buildup underneath the deck, resulting in frequent removal and scraping of the underside. This spring i cleaned the underside, pressure washed it and sprayed on 2-3 coats of slip-plate. I still have severe grass buildup. took the deck off yesterday afternoon, scraped and cleaned a full garbage can lid full of buildup, reinstalled deck went back to mowing. Deck buildup was too much to continue mowing after about 30 mins.

I guess i'm expecting way too much out of a "garden tractor".

WVBill · Apr 30, 2003

mathey:

What size Craftsman deck to you have? I have the 46".
Have used it for four years now to mow my 3.5 acres.

Grass build-up has always been a problem (I agree, it doesn't look like the shape under there would have the most efficient airflow) but 4 things have helped reduce build-up and clogging:

1) Keep the blades sharp. Dull blades "mush" the grass rather than cutting it cleanly and result in wetter, more clog-prone cuttings.

2) Keep the deflector chute pulled up about half way. (NOTE: For safety, DO NOT do as I say) This lets the cuttings fly out and disperse easier.

3) Do not use high-lift mulching blades. I put a set of these on one year and had big-time clogging problems. Mow often enough and you don't need to mulch the clippings under the deck.

4) Slip Plate (or equivalent). I've had it on for three mowings now and there is very little build-up under the deck and what's there comes off quite easily by reaching under the deck (engine OFF) with a gloved hand. I have not yet flipped the deck up to take a good look at how the slip-plate is wearing.

Based on comments of others, I'd recommend the brush-on slip plate. It's more "full bodied" than the spray-on and I suspect you can get a thicker coat.

Molerj · Apr 30, 2003

This wouldn't happen to be a mulching deck, would it?

mathey · May 1, 2003

this is a standard Sears Craftsman GT3000 with a 46" deck. The blades were sharpened when i had the deck off 3 weeks back. We tie the chute about halfway up same as you. The blades are standards (not mulching type). later this summer when the mowing lets up a bit, i'll try slopping on the brushable Slip-plate and see if that works any better.

Thanks!

Mosey · May 5, 2003

I mowed for about 2 hours with the LandPride 6' mower and the buildup wasn't too bad, even though the grass was tall, thick and damp. But, the Slip Plate/EZ Slide is already wearing off and is down to bare metal in several areas. I don't recommend the spray on type! I'll try the brush on next.

frank_f15 · May 10, 2003

kind of late to this thread. but will put my$.02 worth in anyhow. DON'T CARE WHAT u put on the deck, grass is going to build up, the best thing u can do is keep the undrside AND the top side clear by cleaning them every so often, and most important is to clean it before u put it away for the season. my gt is being used for it's 11th season and no sign of rust. and i do cut a lot of grass /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

JimD · May 12, 2003

just to let you know that after 2.8 hrs of mowing the Slip Plate slipped right off the deck /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Next season i will try the brush on instead of the spray on..

Mosey · May 12, 2003

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( just to let you know that after 2.8 hrs of mowing the Slip Plate slipped right off the deck /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif Next season i will try the brush on instead of the spray on.. )</font>

Sounds like we had the same results! I'm hoping to get a chance to try the brush on type this year, so I'll report back on the results (hopefully better).

Anonymous Poster · May 12, 2003

I am working on a 54" mower deck for my JD-X595 right now. Cleaning the underside of caked-on dirt/grass from last year. When the unit was new, I applied a Slip-Plate type coating -- it was graphite-loaded acrylic. It covered and adhered very well, and I think it helped minimize the grass and dirt build-up over the cutting season.
But, one needs to keep realistic expectations for this kind of treatment -- the deck's underside is bombarded by everything that you run over. Stones, branches, dirt, gravel, mice, snakes, etc -- all gets picked up and propelled against the areas of the deck that you want the most protection on. So the coating gets worn off from where you need it the most.
Then you get to clean and recoat all over again. The option is to let the crud build up and reconfigure the aerodynamics of the deck underside, which screws up the cutting efficiency and explusion of the clippings.
Why isn't anything easy, at least permanent?
jim

pcmem · May 13, 2003

JimD,

We use the brush on, two coats in the spring and touchup each month when I swap blades. Seems to wear through on the center top portion of the deck between the spindle sets first so I try to coat them thicker. Never tried the spray on stuff. The paint seems to be too thick to spray.

Good luck,
Michael

knucklehead · May 13, 2003

Sorry...too hard to resist....it's been ten days & 50 posts....I've been good until now....

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

WVBill · May 14, 2003

I've mowed with mine for about 10 hours now after brushing on a thick coat of slip-plate. I have mowed the grass dry, wet, and tall and have just hand-cleared the build-up (mower off) by reaching under.

I took the deck off the other day and this picture shows the result. The shiny areas are where the slip plate has totally worn away back down to bare metal.

As others have said, an occasional re-coat is necessary but all-in-all I'm pleased with the result.

agcomike · May 25, 2003

after 2 hrs my slip-plate all 4.99$ of it was worn off /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif i'd say just spray it off with hp hose every once and a while and don't worry about it just buy a new mower deck every couple of decades.. i bet the deck will out last the tractor..

BrettW · May 26, 2003

Re: Ultimate Mower Deck cleaning

I just got a new mower but now I so dang scared it will rust I'm not going to use it!! I guess that is the ultimate in mower deck protection!!!!! Just going to buy a cow and start a museum for unused implements!!! bw
ps, if any dealers want to send me a nice box blade, or back blade, or FEL, or rake for the museum, I have a nice spot for them!! and you get a brass plate with your name on it. bw

agcomike · May 26, 2003

Re: Ultimate Mower Deck cleaning

I had this thought on it.. let's assume everyone paid ~1000 dollars for a nice 6' finish mower compare that to a rider of ~1500-~2000.. a lawnmower design life is 3-5 years depending on model and general cost..

even if you only get 5 years out of your mower before the deck rusts off you'll have enough from what you've saved on a rider to buy another..

I'm going to say just try and pressurewash or just spray off the deck every time you mow.. don't mow when wet . keep blades sharp..and don't worry about it.. you'd be suprized what testing is done on mower decks.. I've seen some results where i work.. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

ipwanab · May 26, 2003

Reading all these posts on deck cleaning made me smile and grimace. A couple years ago I had an unhealing sore on my knuckle. I paid no attention to it for along time and then got scared and went to Doc. He numbed it and dug under skin forever. He asked me what kind of lawn mower I had. I thought "Is this guy nuts?". I said John Deere. He held up a sliver of yellow paint that had been driven in to the bone. He called a granuloma.I must have done it cleaning the deck on my deere with a plastic putty knife, I never felt it. Be cautious!

r0GuE · May 26, 2003

We had a vendor for a telephone switch come in two months ago for what was going to be a few days stay. He never went home.

He started acting goofy... staring at the walls, saying stupid things.
He was driving and he just stopped on the road and sat until the cops picked him up.
He went to the hospital and it turned out he had a problem with his liver that caused high ammonia levels. I guess he knew that he had liver problems (hep?). he got it from cutting himself while working on his septic system.
He died while still in our town.
Go easy, and keep it clean. Go light on the chemicals and use protective gear. DO NOT IGNORE CUTS AND SCRAPES LIKE YOU DID WHEN YOU WERE TEN.

Mosey · Jul 1, 2003

I cleaned my LandPride mower deck with a pressure washer, then hit the rusted spots with a wire brush (on an angle grinder), and put 2 coats of the brush on Slip Plate EZ Slide. It was a messy job since I didn't have a way to flip my 670 lb deck over and it dripped all over since I had to paint upside down. I'm letting it dry overnight and will try it out either this evening or tomorrow evening.

kofronj · Jul 11, 2003

Well, after a couple months of EZ Slide (brush on), I have the following observations:

1. The stuff seems to last well. The only areas of wear are on the sides of the deck (near where the blade end's spin).

2. I see just as much grass on the bottom of the mower as I did before I coated it. It could be because of the wet summer we're having, but I personally will not do this again. It's not worth it.