After a good day of brush hogging, my front shelf, front wheel motors, foot wells, center tube and the tub are pretty much packed with debris.
First, I take it way out back and hit it with a leaf blower. I use a long stick to poke out front shelf and the wheel motor debris. Something like a golf club with the head removed and a blunted spike welded into the end would work great for this.
Then I hit the center tube from the front with the leaf blower. Then the foot wells.
After that, I open the engine compartment and leaf blow the heck out of that. I have to make many switches between front and back as it tends to shuffle the debris back and forth in the engine compartment. But, eventyally, most of it comes out.
Of course, by then, the foot wells are full of sand again! :laughing:
Anyhow, you get the point. Leaf blower until no more debris sprays out.
Then I have to use my hands to remove sticks and twigs that got wedged in the compartments. Once those are gone, one more pass with the leaf blower.
Now I'm ready to clean it. I use Simple Green cleaner diluted 50/50 with water. I mix it in a pump sprayer and soak the machine down pretty good in the greasy dirty spots. Sometimes I'll put a trash bag with the pull cord built in over the seat just to keep it dry. I also avoid the dash board and ignition switch with the sprayer. The Simple Green does a pretty darn good job of loosening up the grease and grime. After a liberl soaking I use the garden hose to spray it all off. Again, I avoid the dash board area and any electronics.
Then I use the leaf blower to blow off the puddles and start it up right away to make sure no water stays anywhere it shouldn't. I run it for about 10 minutes, and then I'm done.
Unfortunately, my beloved leaf blower died last fall. I got a lot of use out of it. So, I have to buy another one. Last one was hand held. I think I'm going to go for a backpack style this time. I think that will be even easier to use on the PT.
Once everything is dry and clean, I inspect, tighten and lube as required. :thumbsup:
This year I am going to have to repaint most of the lower half of the tractor. It is down to bare metal around most wheels and starting to get surface rust. Since the thing is plate steel everywhere, a simple grind, prime and paint shouldn't take too long at all.