Will this harm my tractor? PICTURE

[KYKub]

Thanks, again, to all who commented. I'm no cowboy, but certainly accept the advice of seasoned folks that safety trumps a nice clean mower deck. I'll attribute the absence of replies to my original question (will it hurt the mower?) to a not-so subtle opinion that I was asking the wrong question. Although I've since added the "safety" back-up I spoke about (chains suspended from a reinforced second rafter and hooked to the tractor), I'm not sure I can overcome the mental phobia your collective posts have created! Looks like it's back to car ramps.

Logically, the deck has lasted 15+ years and is in good shape so even if I don't clean it, it's probably going to outlive the useful life of the tractor. I try to mow when the grass is dry so there's not too much build-up anyway. Never gets clogged like ovrszd experiences in NW MO. Still, it's like painting behind the refrigerator - even if I'm the only one who knows, and it serves no useful function, it is just satisfying to do.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I wonder if cut quality suffers with a built up rear discharge deck. Does it affect suction?

There was a story in the news a couple of days ago of a guy that got crushed under his pickup. Major injuries! He was alone and would have died, except he used voice commands on his cell phone to call 911. I guess those stupid phones CAN be good for something after all!

 

[My Hoe]

I wonder if cut quality suffers with a built up rear discharge deck. Does it affect suction?

There was a story in the news a couple of days ago of a guy that got crushed under his pickup. Major injuries! He was alone and would have died, except he used voice commands on his cell phone to call 911. I guess those stupid phones CAN be good for something after all!

Interesting. Possibly worth upgrading the 'ol cellphone.

Thanks for posting!

My Hoe

 

[ovrszd]

When I'm done mowing for the season I remove my deck and power wash the underneath. Then spray a liberal coat of PB Blaster on it. Yeah,,, I'm a bit OCD bout some things.

 

[Sodo]

Cleaning my mower deck (Kubota g1900)View attachment 437976

JKM, what you're doing is safe and efficient. Hook is on a strong part of the tractor. That chain fall looks like it can lift the entire tractor and you're just lifting half. Sometimes oils/fluids can flow somewhere they are not desired if it's set there for some time (like an hour) but no problem for just hosing it off.

Two things I can't guess about:

1) Hows that chain fall attached to the joists above?
2) You've hooked to the mower deck, is there a release lever that could disconnect the mower deck?

 

[Bota4me]

When I'm done mowing for the season I remove my deck and power wash the underneath. Then spray a liberal coat of PB Blaster on it. Yeah,,, I'm a bit OCD bout some things.

I do the same thing but use FLUID Film

 

[ovrszd]

I do the same thing but use FLUID Film ��

Welcome to OCD-Ville.

 

[Bota4me]

Welcome to OCD-Ville.

thanks, and of course wax deck and tractor with collinite 845 lol

 

[Blade Breaker]

40+ woods deck never been cleaned. Still fine. Bought a couple high hour Comercial mowers from city park and rec. Never cleaned them. No rust.
I actually think the grass prevents rust.?
Never work under something like that though. Very dangerous.

 

[KYKub]

Sodo: thanks for the reply concerning my original question! The hoist is rated for 1 ton and the tractor weighs about half that. The hoist is connected to the rafters above by a stout metal rod ran through holes drilled in the 2x10s (this area is under a porch so the roof is actually the floor of a covered porch). There is a release for the deck connection, but even if released it couldn't drop the tractor since it could only go "down." That is, with the weight of the tractor pulling the frame "up," it couldn't drop.

Good questions. Thank you for your thoughts.

 

[My Hoe]

Jkmetcalf,

Nice looking tractor.

What model and year (approximately--I realize there are not precise "model years" for Kubotas--LOL) is your tractor?

And just curious: how wide is your mower deck?

Thanks,

My Hoe

 

[PeterK]

In between deck off cleanings, I sometimes drive back across a low pile of wood chips or out in the field willow brush, this scours the bottom nice and clean most times.

 

[NoNewParts]

won't hurt the tractor like that.
when you lower it, let it sit a bit before you start it so oils can run back where they belong, etc.

safety? just always plan for the 'whatever can go wrong, will go wrong' and you'll be fine.
I have 2 hoists and 2 trolleys on my gantry to help with those gremlins (and it makes working on tri-cycle tractors easier)
I always throw something under with me....thicker than my head lol when I am under stuff.
your pic?...no problem...4x4 wedged under there will give me a second or 2 if needed...
4' long prybar to clean lets me do it from my chair......

clean em.....depends on where you live...if you wait for perfectly dry conditions here, your lawn will never get mowed..gotta clean it.

 

[MXBX]

I use ramps and just an ordinary brass hose nozzle to spray off as much as I can. I'm never under the tractor or deck and have the deflector raised to reach as much area as possible. I do it over the lawn and then rake the droppings over a large area. It may not be perfect but I get more than 90% of the stuck on grass. BTW, mowing when the grass is nice and dry helps too.

 

[KYKub]

Just PMd you, My Hoe.

 

[dodge man]

I won't comment on how to best clean the deck but will comment on cleaning it. This year we have had a pretty wet year until the last month. I've mowed several times when the cars was a little wet or often really wet. On clean dry grass, it will often clean the underside of the deck and even polish it but I mowed when I had time. The build up was so bad with wet green grass it was smelling really bad, almost fermenting. The cut was also not good. Sometimes you almost have to clean it.