A question about washing my tractor??

[Gobblin Tom]

I have been doing a lot of work in the woods with my new JD 2520, I have been trying to get my paths straightened out but have run into 5-6 springs along the way so things have been interesting to say the least!! Anyway I was just curious if it would hurt the tractor to use the power washer? I don't know if there is any areas that I should be careful as in electronics, etc. I really want to get the under carriage cleaned before putting the mower deck back on. Oh yeah this is one situation that I wished I had the back hoe....

 

[Edward. S]

No problem I have a 4000PSI washer not a mark on my tractors.

 

[BoFuller]

This is where you want to have one of the low pressure ones. I have seen real high pressure washers peel paint. I would not hold it too close.

 

[BoFuller]

Ha! There you go. We both answered at the same time with conflicting answers. Go figure.

 

[Gobblin Tom]

Yeah I know you can't hold it to close..... was more worried about seals and electronics.....

 

[richamor]

you just may want to be careful around any stickers/labels.

 

[WH401]

I would just use a hose with a fairly good nozzle. A pressure washer is over kill and risky for just washing the crud off of a tractor.

 

[jdonovan]

Ha! There you go. We both answered at the same time with conflicting answers. Go figure.

A ham fisted operator can break anything....

Use a 4000 PSI washer at 1" with a 0-degree tip and you'll do damage. A 2000 psi unit at 3' with a 45 degree tip probably has less cleaning power than a garden hose.

Pressure washing is fine, if you are smart about how and where you direct the streams.

Start with a wider spray and work at a distance, if you are not getting the cleaning you need, get closer and/or narrow the pattern.

 

[k0ua]

Pressure washer works great, to remove that really thick mud, just don't blow the stickers off of it, or soak the alternator or anything like that, I go easy on the dash panel also, but other wise just wash away.. Mine is 2700 lbs.. just use common sense.

James K0UA

 

[Gobblin Tom]

I would just use a hose with a fairly good nozzle. A pressure washer is over kill and risky for just washing the crud off of a tractor.

I have a lot of clay stuck on it and I just have a spring for my hose so I don't have a lot of pressure (Has a pump though). I don't think the hose will come close to removing the clay....????

 

[grsthegreat]

ive used powerwashers on tractors many times, and the only problem i have ever had was the mud/clay blowback onto ME.

man, was i a mess afterwords. but the tractor never was hurt. all good powerwashers come with multiple tips and just use a good wide spray pattern to prevent damage.

 

[jdonovan]

ive used powerwashers on tractors many times, and the only problem i have ever had was the mud/clay blowback onto ME.

I thought it was just me... I keep a special 'pressure washing' t-shirt so the wife doesn't get too upset with me messing up clothes.

 

[beenthere]

I would just use a hose with a fairly good nozzle. A pressure washer is over kill and risky for just washing the crud off of a tractor.

I'm with you. No problem washing, but see no reason to go to higher pressure than the 40-50 psi from the hose.
Clay mud is/can be hard to get off, but not letting it dry on is helpful.

 

[dusty3030]

A good trick for loosening up all the crud on the bottom is to just hook up a standard $5 lawn sprinkler to your hose and set it underneath it and let it swish back and forth for a couple of hours. Will keep everything from drying and keeps you from having to get a face full of the thick mud.

 

[beenthere]

I like that trick.

 

[daBear]

I have clay dirt down here that stick to tractor tires etc as tight as white is on rice. Pressure washing is the only way I can go.