Mower Deck cleaning
- Thread starter JimD
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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".
I guess i'm expecting way too much out of a "garden tractor".
WVBill
Veteran Member
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.
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
Platinum Member
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- JD 955, 1978 Economy Power King, JD X500
This wouldn't happen to be a mulching deck, would it?
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!
Thanks!
Mosey
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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
Super Member, Rest in Peace
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
Mosey
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</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).
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
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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
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
