Mowing Mower deck washer

[Gregs JD1023]

Has anyone used the hose connection on mower decks to clean out the deck? I have one on my 54" mid deck for my 1023e. I used it a couple of times to clean the deck but found it dripped green ooze all over my shed floor. I guess I could have run the deck for a while to help dry out the deck before parking in the shed. Seems like a waste of expensive fuel. Since I have a quick connect deck it's easy to take off & clean after every 4-5 mowings. I wonder about using water to clean and rust etc. Any thoughts?

 

[jester156]

the common thought on the hose attachment is a waste of time. I used mine once and didn't feel it did a good enough job to ever use it again

 

[greg_g]

waste of time.

x2. And while we're listing the negatives, it's also a waste of water and fuel.

//greg//

 

[beenthere]

AND leaves a green oozing mess wherever you do the washing.
I like to keep the deck as dry as possible. Wash the topside a couple times a year, but use the air compressor after every mowing to blow off the tractor and the deck.

 

[Bird]

AND leaves a green oozing mess wherever you do the washing.
I like to keep the deck as dry as possible. Wash the topside a couple times a year, but use the air compressor after every mowing to blow off the tractor and the deck.

I tried out the hose connection once on a previous mower, but never on my current one. It just didn't work well enough to be worth the trouble. I, too, use the air-compressor on the mower and the string trimmer every time I use them. Of course I also use it on my power saws, drills, and even my electric razor and Wahl hair clippers every time they're used.:laughing:

 

[Cntryboy0075]

Always used a leaf blower to clean the deck and tractor with. Usually just took the deck off in the shop and cleaned it underneath, then swept the mess up !

 

[Garybake]

I found the only efficient way to make it work was to lower the deck completely down to maximize water spray with less air and at cutting speed. It would soften and then throw chunks out leaving a green pool to drive through. It was not much more work and less fuel and water to use the pressure washer. I do know a clean deck creates a better vacuum grass blade lift and a resulting better cut/mulch either way it is done.

 

[Gregs JD1023]

Sounds to me that there is no excitement about these deck hose washers. Just a sales gimmick. Although I do have one on my Toro lawn mower and it works good on that. I think it's because of the small 20" deck size. I guess I'm done with using the one on my 54" deck. I just as soon take the deck off and clean it properly.

I also use a leaf blower to completely clean my tractor after mowing.

 

[urbandeere2520]

I found the only efficient way to make it work was to lower the deck completely down to maximize water spray with less air and at cutting speed. It would soften and then throw chunks out leaving a green pool to drive through. It was not much more work and less fuel and water to use the pressure washer. I do know a clean deck creates a better vacuum grass blade lift and a resulting better cut/mulch either way it is done.

When I first purchased my tractor and deck I tried the hose connector cleaning device a few times with disappointing results... then I figured out the proper procedure.

Like Garybake stated, the deck needs to be resting on the ground, in my case a level asphalt driveway. I release the anti-scalp wheel latches and lower the deck flat onto the driveway, attach the hose, turn on the water and run the mower deck a few minutes at 2500 RPM. Lot's of gunk and green water falls out. I have visually inspected the underside of the deck after executing this procedure the past several cuts and it actually works pretty well. I do have a mulching kit installed, so I don't know if that makes a difference.

 

[Bob77064]

A leaf blower works for me too, I worry about what the water does to hot bearings.

 

[XSKIER]

Finally, I was about to post "what about your bearings" this morning, but ran out of time on the way out. Thank you...

 

[sklunk]

I, too, use the air-compressor on the mower and the string trimmer every time I use them. Of course I also use it on my power saws, drills, and even my electric razor and Wahl hair clippers every time they're used.:laughing:

What the heck do you shave/clip that you need to use an AIR COMPRESSOR to clean your razor off ?!?!

 

[Bird]

What the heck do you shave/clip that you need to use an AIR COMPRESSOR to clean your razor off ?!?!

My house is a little different from most.:laughing: I can step out the back door, 12' across the patio/breezeway, into the shop/recreation room, and my air-compressor is right there. So every time I shave, not every day, but most days, I use the air-compressor to blow the whiskers out of the Norelco razor; much, much quicker and easier than using the little brush that came with the razor, taking the heads apart to prevent buildup, etc.

It would be a little different if I had to go outside in the sun or rain or whatever to get to the compressor.:laughing:

 

[Bird]

Sounds to me that there is no excitement about these deck hose washers. Just a sales gimmick. Although I do have one on my Toro lawn mower and it works good on that. I think it's because of the small 20" deck size. I guess I'm done with using the one on my 54" deck. I just as soon take the deck off and clean it properly.

I also use a leaf blower to completely clean my tractor after mowing.

When I had the walk behind Toro, if it needed more than the air-compressor could do, I had a weight that I occasionally put on the handle to tilt it all the way back with the handle on the ground (actually concrete driveway) and then I used the garden hose and nozzle to clean it. Incidentally, I traded that mower in on my current Toro ZTR. I asked the sales lady about taking a trade, she went and got the owner (her dad), and he came and told me he didn't take trade-ins, but then he went and looked at my walk behind mower and said it was so clean that he could give me a couple of hundred for it.

When I recently bought the [ame=http://www.amazon.com/MoJack-MJEZ-300-Pound-Tractors-Mowers/dp/B00332FB9W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1337774896&sr=8-1]MoJack[/ame], I raised the front of the mower all the way to remove, sharpen, and replace the blade, and then I cleaned the bottom of the deck really good with one of those nozzles that puts out a solid stream of water about the size of a #2 lead pencil.

 

[urbandeere2520]

A leaf blower works for me too, I worry about what the water does to hot bearings.

Yes, I use a leaf blower to blow off the loose grass and debris before hooking up the water. The deck is cool when I wash it. I also keep a grease gun nearby, and give the deck a shot of grease several times a year... no problems so far.

 

[Garybake]

After posting last night I had to cut today and early morning when the grass was still wet because of a Dr. Apt at 1:00pm. It was clumpy and sticking to everything. After I got back at 3, I hooked up the hose and cleaned with deck adapters just to compare with the pressure washing last time cut (Friday-18th:confused2: growing fast). It was almost just as clean except for chute and spindle hubs. I think once it gets dried on for a week then a pressure washer or putty knife is required to open the areas between the three blade circles that are created. I think the bottom side of the deck, the bearings are expected to see damp conditions (chlorophyl/dew?). IMHO it is when a pressure washer is used on the top side of deck that gets bearings (or idlers/pulleys on some) to fail after sitting damp.

 

[urbandeere2520]

I use the built-in deck washer after each mowing and I don't see any grass build-up. The built-in deck washer works well if you use it correctly and shortly after each mowing.

I expect if one were to mow wet grass several times over a period of weeks without cleaning-washing the underside of the deck, the built-in washer would be totally ineffective at removing the grass. With that much built-up and dried grass on the deck underside you'd probably need to scrape and power wash it.

Regarding the shaft bearing damage, I'd think the application of a power washer would do more damage than a little water splashing around under the deck for 2-4 minutes.

Your mileage may vary....