Deck wash system

[Big Bad Bob]

I've seen a lot of homeowner mowers with a deck wash system that consists of a hose connection on the top of the deck. You attach your water hose, turn the water on, turn the deck on and, supposedly the water pressure in conjunction with the flow from the blades, cleans out the deck. First, is this a viable system and second, if it is, are there any commercial outfits that offer this as an option?

[jhsmith4]

Use a 5 in 1 tool (putty knife) and mo-deck!:hammerhead:

[John Stiles]

Great way to wash out the mandrel bearings!:laugh:

[lawnmaniac883]

water aint gonna clean your deck off!!!

[Big Bad Bob]

Thanks guys. I was hoping to hear from a manufacturer or dealer on this subject. Maybe they would be cutting their own throat by answering. You know. It's good for a homeowners unit because...., but bad for a commercial unit because....

[lawnmaniac883]

Its good for homeowners because they think its a great selling point and they think its working. Its bad for commercial guys because we know better than to buy into some silly crap like that. Just one more thing that doesnt work and can break.

[topsites]

Its good for homeowners because they think its a great selling point and they think its working. Its bad for commercial guys because we know better than to buy into some silly crap like that. Just one more thing that doesnt work and can break.

Yeah man, best thing to use is a scraper of some kind, crowbars, long handled screwdrivers, most anything along those lines... I used to worry about it all the time, nowadays the deck is lucky if I clean up under it, that stuff gets up in there in seconds flat anyhow, it gets but so bad and that's all, falls off over time, whatever.

One thing I did notice thou, is in thick wet grass there is a tendency for the mower to discharge clumps a ways after one has gone through the thick part... A certain technique which involves being aware of this can save time and frustration, I usually drive my Wb near the woods and pop a wheelie, then drop the deck, once or twice usually does it. Sometimes disengaging the blades then re-engaging helps as well, weird how that works...

[Juan_Deere]

I haven't made one for my latest mower. But I did make one for my JD riding mower. I made it out a couple of PVC pieces with a few small holes drilled into it, pointing up. It doesn't plug into the deck or anything, it just lays on the ground below the mowing deck. Turn on the water, turn on the blades, and it cleans the deck right up. Obviously, it doesn't work on the dried, hard, caked on stuff, but otherwise, it works pretty good. It should be heavy enough to keep from getting sucked up by the blades, but if you don't trust that, you can just make it long enough that it sticks out each side of the mower deck a little, then drop the deck down, so it is holding the pipe in place. We also aren't talking about pressure washer pressures, so the bearings aren't in any danger.

[stevenf]

Thought about rhino lining the under side of the deck??? I was thinking of that the other day. That stuff is very thick and extremely strong....

[jkingrph]

Thought about rhino lining the under side of the deck??? I was thinking of that the other day. That stuff is very thick and extremely strong.... Grass will not stick to rhino lining???

[Accu-cut Lawn Care]

I have a John Deere 36" bd walkbehind that I use mainly for overgrown lot cleanups. I joke around and call it my sacrifice to the mowing gods...I leave it out in the rain...and don't believe it's been cleaned in about 5 years. That being said, when the deck gets mucked up, with or without the mulch kit on, i try my best to find a good puddle to engage the blades in. It does a great job cleaning out the deck...and it's never caused me any problems.

[John Stiles]

Most folks understand that mowing wet grass is not prudent.....having said that, it is my old gray-haired opinion that....1) You should never mow more than 1/3 of the heigth of your grass....it makes your lawn look sick, and causes clumps of long grass to wad up, making one hell of a mess! 2) Mowing your grass early as possible after the dew[or rain] has dried off the blades is good, because you don't suck up all your topsoil, along with the grass clippings; making a very corrosive gooey sticky mess that adheres to your deck.....eating away at it and growing fungus that isn't the healthiest stuff to breath. So, having a lawn and a clean mowing deck can occur as one learns the proper procedures and practices. But you always are gonna have people who need their decks wiped!~john

[Grass Happens]

The reason you haven't had problems with your gs 30 is that is has grease able bearings that i assume you grease fairly regularly. however if you mower used sealed bearings, like bobcat and others, your going to eat them in a hurry. Just as a rule i use air and a putty knife, and when i do wash the unit i try to becareful with the pressure washer.

[DOLMARatOS]

FLUID FILM!!!!!!!!!!

Keep it clean with a plastic putty knife. Mow in the afternoons in dry grass if possible.

Did i say Fluid Film?

[Big Bad Bob]

Most folks understand that mowing wet grass is not prudent.....having said that, it is my old gray-haired opinion that....1) You should never mow more than 1/3 of the heigth of your grass....it makes your lawn look sick, and causes clumps of long grass to wad up, making one hell of a mess! 2) Mowing your grass early as possible after the dew[or rain] has dried off the blades is good, because you don't suck up all your topsoil, along with the grass clippings; making a very corrosive gooey sticky mess that adheres to your deck.....eating away at it and growing fungus that isn't the healthiest stuff to breath. So, having a lawn and a clean mowing deck can occur as one learns the proper procedures and practices. But you always are gonna have people who need their decks wiped!~john

These are good rules to follow. I only wish it were possible to follow them 100% of the time in the real world.
That being said, I use a putty knife also and clean the deck everytime I change blades. I appreciate the comments and I can see why it might be prudent not to blast your deck with water.
Is this more harmful to commercial mowers than homeowner units? If it is harmful to all units, why do they offer it with homeowner units?

[John Stiles]

FLUID FILM!!!!!!!!!!

Keep it clean with a plastic putty knife. Mow in the afternoons in dry grass if possible.

Did i say Fluid Film?

Of course you meant; PAM no-stick cooking spray:clapping: :usflag: ~john

[PEVO]

Is it just me or what? Am i the only one who uses a broken leaf spring to clean out from under deck. You can really chip away at it with one of these!

[Nosmo]

Cut 2 or 3 different lengths of 1/2" electrical conduit that will give you working room under your deck. Use a hammer and flatten about 2" of one end. Bend the flattened end at an angle that works for you and scrap away. I use a 3/4" wide chisel for getting in tight places.

[Dano50]

Of course you meant; PAM no-stick cooking spray:clapping: :usflag: ~john

No, I'm pretty sure he meant Fluid Film! :cool2:

If you haven't tried it and live within the Continental United States, just pm me for a sample can and give it a try. Of course, Fluid Film's primary function is to stop corrosion. It will stop the corrosive effects of salts, fertilizers, herbicides and moisture better than any other product on the market.

[varybarry]

I air and a putty knife. It seems to work pretty easily.