Under deck cleaning safely

[skyhook]

I say drill a few holes and add these.

Amazon.com: 490-900-0025 MTD Riding Lawn Mower Deck Wash Kit: Patio, Lawn & Garden

David Kb7uns

Now there's an interesting concept.

 

[Cherokee140]

I have found with gator blades I get very little build up of grass on the underside of the deck, perhaps within 2" of each blade hub a buildup and that is it, my deck is the 60". I scrape it off and I am good to go. I do not like to power wash the deck, water and grease hubs and high pressure water does not go well.

Agree, I am not a fan of power washing things like this. I will do a light scrub, with just a normal squirter on the end of the hose. I use two straps and the bucket to lift up the deck so I can hose it off.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I have found with gator blades I get very little build up of grass on the underside of the deck, perhaps within 2" of each blade hub a buildup and that is it, my deck is the 60". I scrape it off and I am good to go. I do not like to power wash the deck, water and grease hubs and high pressure water does not go well.

Excellent point about using a power washer; The spindles likely don't have water proof caps on them. And the grease WILL get washed out if you're not careful. But - if you're intent on power washing under the deck, I bought a U-shaped section sold by Northern Tool described for washing house gutters.

You could actually make your own section of extension by using a short section of the wand extension and a bending it with a tubing bender. I rarely use my U-shaped extension for washing house gutters, but it certainly is handy for washing the underside of my truck fenders. For the benefit of those that are already raising their eye-brows about me washing under the fenders of my vehicles, I will not describe how I wash the back side of my tires

 

[zoltanthegypsy]

I have found with gator blades I get very little build up of grass on the underside of the deck, perhaps within 2" of each blade hub a buildup and that is it, my deck is the 60". I scrape it off and I am good to go. I do not like to power wash the deck, water and grease hubs and high pressure water does not go well.

I've noticed this too - the Gator blades don't seem to cause as much buildup.

I use my long trailer ramps - run the tractor half way up. Gets the deck off the ground and at an angle so it's an easier shot with a garden hose. Agree that a pressure washer might be too much.

Z.

 

[Camo Kubota]

Thanks for all the great suggestions. Didn't think pressure washing every week could be possibly bad. Guess I'm little obsessive about cleaning it, just dont want to have to replace deck anytime soon.

 

[fih25]

Another note, if you hose under the deck, do not do it right after use. Allow it to cool down. If you spray cold water onto a hot spindle it will suck in the water and force the grease out.

 

[Popfizz7]

Just take 5 minutes to take it off for a good pressure washing. That's the only way you're going to get it all.

 

[Cherokee140]

Mine comes off after I finish mowing....I don't want to tear it up in the woods. That deck is spendy.

But I do hose mine off after each use...I just hook a couple tie down straps to it lift it with the bucket and the grass comes right off. I am always far enough away incase a strap slipps or snaps...but I doubt it will happen.

Then like I said a normal squirter or the old thumb over the end of the hose is more then enough to get the grass off.

 

[NY_Yankees_Fan]

Mine comes off after I finish mowing....I don't want to tear it up in the woods. That deck is spendy.

But I do hose mine off after each use...I just hook a couple tie down straps to it lift it with the bucket and the grass comes right off. I am always far enough away incase a strap slipps or snaps...but I doubt it will happen.

Then like I said a normal squirter or the old thumb over the end of the hose is more then enough to get the grass off.

Wow EVERY time you cut grass? This time of year I am cutting grass every 4 days, that would add significant time to cutting grass. My deck is 12 years old, I clean the grass once a year before I put it on for the season. I do not see any unusual wear on the deck.

 

[Cherokee140]

Wow every 4 days. Heck I am mowing about 10ac each time. That would kill me in fuel costs.

We usually have 3 mowers going and it takes us about 4 hours to do it.