Mowing mower deck cleaning

[glc24]

I think the deck wash feature is designed to ensure the grass that gets trapped under the deck stays nice and wet to rot the deck out more quickly, then they can sell you a new one.. seriously.

I really don't think they have that intention,(at least I wouldn't think so)but the other part of what you said is exactly how I feel about this so called deck cleaning idea. Why in the world would you want whatever is left under there any wetter than it already is. I can't figure it out. The worst thing is wet grass under your deck. It's bad enough to get it while cutting grass,but to do it on purpose. Oh well:confused3:

I'm sure everyone that uses this little feature,turns their deck upside down and dries it.

Greg

 

[Fossil Farm]

Cold water and warm to hot metal is not a good mix. As said, it can shorten the deck's life. Maybe not much, but a good mower is worth taking care of. Putty knife works just fine to clean out the stuck grass after things cool down. Yes, you get dirty, but nothing wrong with that. Of course if you have kids .... they could do it for you.

 

[phiferpharm]

I have two mowers that I have to get under occasionally to work on (like today when I found two inches missing from each of my blades, but thats another story), and I just attach a pair of clamp on Pallet forks to my loader and take it up. I have one of the manual mower lifts, but frankly, it seems more stable on the forks.

 

[Squeak n Itch]

We received a load (5 or 6 yds) of wood chips from the local power company tree trimming operation. I run the deck over the wood chips and it does a great job of scrubbing the underside. Probably dulls the blades a little though.

 

[LBrown59]

Getting another BX sounds like a good idea (doesn't it always.

That's exactly what i did.
:cool2:

Bought this BX1500 with mower and later sold the CC GT2554.

 

[yelbike]

Cold water and warm to hot metal is not a good mix. As said, it can shorten the deck's life. Maybe not much, but a good mower is worth taking care of. Putty knife works just fine to clean out the stuck grass after things cool down. Yes, you get dirty, but nothing wrong with that. Of course if you have kids .... they could do it for you.

I agree. I don't like the idea of heating up the spindles with three hours of mowing, than washing off the deck with cold water. Thats just like towing your boat out to the lake and splashing the bearings with cold lake water. Not a great idea.

I just clean my JD decks once or twice per year, they never plug up. I did notice my rfms (farm king) never have ANY pasted grass clippings.

 

[jenkinsph]

RoadHogg,
Have you tried a set of high lift (collection/bagger) blades? The increased air flow might help with your problem.

 

[jenkinsph]

Cold water and warm to hot metal is not a good mix. As said, it can shorten the deck's life. Maybe not much, but a good mower is worth taking care of. Putty knife works just fine to clean out the stuck grass after things cool down. Yes, you get dirty, but nothing wrong with that. Of course if you have kids .... they could do it for you.

I don't ever wash out my decks. I scrape them off when I sharpen or change out blades. I do use my blower to clean off the top of the deck. Haven't bought any belts or spindle bearings in the 276 hours on the riding mower either.

 

[RoadHogg]

RoadHogg,
Have you tried a set of high lift (collection/bagger) blades? The increased air flow might help with your problem.

No. We just got the tractor so we haven't tried any equipment changes. I am not sure where to reference what options there are for this machine. The Cub Cadet site seems to be no help at all. I was wondering if mulching blades might help. My 66" Swisher has mulching blades and it doesn't plug up like this Cub Cadet...it actually never NEEDS manual cleaning at all, but I do clean it on occasion.

I'll see if I can get those bagger blades. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

[Jim Shooz]

While I don't have a Club Cadet I do have a similar problem with cleaning off the grass after mowing. After having a previous mower rust out from underneath because of being put away wet over a number of years I now take the hose, get down on my hands and knees and wash out the underside of the replacement mower. (bearings get greased after 4 or 5 uses) One effective alternative after mowing, is to come around through the orchard with its twigs, dead small branches, pine needles, etc. Cleans it up a treat. :thumbsup: