What's the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

Spudgunner · Oct 6, 2004

What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

Hello,
I recently removed the MMM from my BX and am preparing to store it for the winter. There is a fair amount of dried-on grass/crud adhered to the underside of the deck...right above the blades. Some of it is starting to peel off. Is there some way of pre-treating this stuff so that it comes off easily? (or some other technique short of dynamite...)

Thanks!

frank_f15 · Oct 6, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

i don't have MM but i do have a RFM but imagine they clean up the same way. i just serviced mine for the winter and cleaned it , i just go at it with a scrapper grass comes off fairly easy if it is dry.

Tom_H · Oct 6, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

I just take a very large standard (slotted) screwdriver and use it like I would a wood chisel for minor planing. Thirty seconds or so of just gouging under the stuff and scraping gets 99% of it off. No need to get the rest 'cause I have no need for it to look pretty.

ronjhall · Oct 6, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

Here is a thread on mower cleaning/painting. Click Here
There is another that I could not find that used a coating called pro something. maybe someone else can find it.

Rolando · Oct 6, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

Is it possible to apply some kind of Teflon coating? It seems that having a slippery surface would be the answer.

upgw · Oct 7, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

I made a "deck cleaner" from a Teflon dollar-store kitchen spatula end (I cut the handle off) screwed to a 5 foot wooden paint roller extension handle. The spatula end is 'sharp' but won't scratch the paint, I can reach all the way under the deck from the chute side and get pretty much the whole thing while it's mounted, and it would probably work pretty well to clean the deck even when its off.

- Patrick

surfran · Oct 7, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

I really like this idea. I use a plastic putty knife so it doesn't scratch as well as my pressure washwer periodically. I also painted my underside with the TSC EZ-Slide paint when it was new. 2 seasons and it's holding up pretty well. I don't know that it makes it that much easier to clean though as it's still a pain in my back...... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

hogboy · Oct 7, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

I have had good luck with a spray on called Mow Deck, however, after each mowing I run the BX up onto a pair of metal car ramps and scrape the underside with a putty knife. I spray the Mow Deck maybe once a month. Makes it easier to peel off the stuck grass and cleaning the deck right after mowing while the grass clippings still have a little moisture in them. I also prop up the discharge chute with a rubber bungee while mowing. In the fall, I pull the deck, get a spray bottle, fill it with pressure washer degreaser and spray the deck and the rest of the residue comes off relatively easy. Of course, as a plug for Larry, having the wheel kit to stand the mower deck upright to do the end of season cleaning is a big help. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

john_bud · Oct 10, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

Spud,

One thing that I have done in the past for mower decks is to add a manifold with 2-3 taps on the top of the deck what allow a garden hose to water the inside of the deck while it is running.

You have to hook up the hose to the manifold, turn on the water start the machine and run the deck. That will keed the build up from getting bad. It's a simple project with a drill if the deck is out from under the tractor!

HTH
John Bud

brinet · Oct 10, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

To GENTLY clean DRY grass from the underside, I use a 2" X 2" or a 2" X 4" piece of wood. I cut the end off at a 45 degree angle with the chop saw. When the end wears down, I just cut it again. The wood will not scratch the metal, and the length is adjustable (with a chop saw) so that I don't have to bend over (as with a putty knife).

Of course, grass is easiest to clean off BEFORE it dries. A simple spray with the water hose usually works. Unfortunately, I don't always clean it after mowing as I should. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Buck · Oct 10, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

You guys are making me feel like a degenerate. Clean after every use? Holy cow.

I use a power washer in the fall when done for the year or once in a while when I change or sharpen my blades.

SeymourBota · Oct 10, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

They make castings you can hook to a garden hose and temporarily attach to the side of the mower to get water up there while it's running. I have used them but be VERY careful- you have to let the mower deck cool down completely before you do this or the bearings will suck the water in and be ruined in no time. Don't ask how I know.
I have returned to hosing down by hand now.

rbarker · Oct 11, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You guys are making me feel like a degenerate. Clean after every use? Holy cow.

)</font>

I'm with you, clean it once in the fall and put it up for the winter. Of course, I don't have a huge lawn and I don't mow when wet.

ronjhall · Oct 11, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

I thought that Pine Cones fell off trees to clean the grass clipping from my mower. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
I usually collect cones in a pile then run mower over them. Does 2 things, cleans underside of mower and chops up the cones. Having a mulching attachments helps.

TobyH · Oct 11, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

Those little willow branches that get mulched up when mowing work well, too. Saves bending over to pick them up and cleans the deck! /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Chugbert · Oct 28, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

FWIW a long-time mower dealer recommended cleaning with a compressed air line rather than jet washing as this avoids driving water into the bearings etc which advances rust.

Tom_H · Oct 28, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

Hey Chugbert, Greetings from the Valley. There are a few central CA folks on here.

Tell us about that mixer you have on the back of your BX. There've been several threads runnin' on here about how big of a mixer a BX will take and whether you can fill it to full capacity or not.

Spudgunner · Oct 28, 2004

Re: What\'s the best way to clean underside of MMM (?)

I'd be interested in hearing about this mixer as well.

WRT methods of cleaning the underside of the MMM, I partially flipped mine over so it would catch a little rain. I let it soak-in for a few days and most of the compacted green stuff came off easily with the help of a stick. Admittedly, this is a sophisticated method not easily done by the inexperienced Kubota owner...so just take it slow and easy. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif