deck cleaning

[recliner10]

How hard is it to clean under the deck and change blades on the exmark mowers? Just wondering if it is a pain in the butt, since they do not fold up like some decks. Thanks Terp

[awm]

I ask the same question at a show
the other day.They said most just
drive up on a ramp to get under.

[Mr.Ziffel]

This is a big issue for me as I am constantly having to clean under my JD F935--mow wet, heavy growth very often.

The Exmark dealer tells me that they have incorporated a deck jack into the machine for next year--you just fold down the legs and drive forward to lift the deck off the ground for cleaning and blade changing. I haven't seen any pictures yet but I'm waiting.
Will

[bob]

I keep a heavy duty putty knife in the toolbox to scape the deck with. My friend uses an edger blade, but that will gouge your hand.

[Toddppm]

Walkbehinds?
We use a putty knife too, but we tilt the machine up on it's side (air filter up)and block it with a piece of wood. The handlebars don't let you tilt it up far enough to get under if tilting back, unless you like to lay down while scraping your deck

[Skookum]

I park my ZTR about half way up on the ramp of the trailer, engine back towards ground. Takes little effort to lift entire front of mower up. I slip a 4x4 with a 12x12 plywood base and a v notch cut into the top right under the front cross brace.

Then laying on the ramp it is a breeze to clean the deck or change the blades.

[Runner]

Yep, putty knife's the way to go! Just not a wide one though. They're too flimsy and bend too much. The ones I use are about 2" wide I think. And I thought laying down was the only way to SCRAPE the deck!:)

[John DiMartino]

If im doing a major scrape job,it goes on the trailer ramp,but when im mowing my 7 acre lawn,and its wet,I have to stop every pass and clean it,so i have 2 scrap pieces of schedule 40 PVC electrical conduit,1/2".I had them left over in my shed,If you bend it in 1/2,the break line is flat and fairly sharp,I use the longer one,I shut it down,while its on the ground,and run it down the discharge shute,the long one clears the whole front lenth of the chute,even flexes around the bends in the deck.the short piece I use for the chute,and at other angles and the baffles.Ths]ese wont do a perfect job,but myDC clogs up bad,and in about 30 seconds i can get it about 90% clear.sInce they are soft plastic and cheap,you can jjust ram them in and out from the side to get most stuff out.These were leftovers,but a 10 ft lenth is about 1.20 ,and that would make 3 nice ones.If i didnt use this way,id have to return to my trailer every 10 minutes,I d have a huge pile there in one mowing,this way its spread out on the lawn,in the back,where no one notices it.

[lawrence stone]

You should have bought a 62" Toro.

All I can say is I feel your pain.

[Wayne Offiler]

Speaking of cleaning under the decks, I also used to use a large putty knife.
But, I recently made a tool that works faster and is easier on the hands. I took a piece of flat stock, 1 1/2" x 1/8", about a foot long and bent it to a right angle, about an inch from one end. I then ground both ends to chisel points. Both ends are handy in the cleaning process.

[scottlawns]

i use a snapon gasket scraper,works great

[Likestomow]

I like using my Superbar.

[powerreel]

On my 36" I just wash it off at the end of the day and just keep it spray painted with the cheap "no-rust" paint. I really don't have a deck scrape thing at all and I always mow in the rain in Seattle.Alot of clotting is from "dull blades"- grind 'em hard! Also, why not just put a 5 gallon bucket under the front of your mower to change blades?

[Mr.Ziffel]

Could you please elaborate on your statement? Did you meant the SFS deck? I'm looking at the Toro ZTR w/62"SFS deck due to constant wet cutting conditions here north of Seattle. I demo'ed the deck but it hasn't been as wet as normal here this year. Is there another deck in your experience worth looking at? I need a 62" for productivity. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Will

[lawrence stone]

SFS is just just a new catch word. Back in the old days they called them wind tunnel design or something.

The 62" in deck on a new Toro ZTR is the same exact deck that is on one of my 10 year old walkbehinds.

I use mine mostly for athletic fields where I cut bluegrass down to 2" with single blades on a weekly basis with on visible clipplings left on the turf in one pass in high gear (5.2 mph).

I don't cut in wet conditions (belt drives) but I have no problem with the deck clogging or having to scrap when the grass is wet from dew or a overnite rain. And let me tell you we had more rain in NE PA this spring and summer as did NW Wash. state.

A new hydro traction unit to be used with my present 62" deck is on the shopping list for next spring. I have two 20 acre industrial sites I am measuring up this month for next spring. And I hope to pickup some new sports field work. But I will hold off on that purchase until March 15.

Having the discharge chute clog due to mowing wet turf is unaccepatable and I would consider this to be a manufactures defect.

[Bluegrass Lawn Service]

I don't understand, I'm in southern Indiana where bluegrass is king plus fescue a foot high. I run three dixie's and don't clean decks in the field. Under the decks are the magic mulchers (box with chains, keeps decks clean) and double blades. We will sometimes clean when changeing blades but only then. Also use a chain hoist to lift mowers

[CCLC]

I don't have to clean the deck on my Toro SFS Deck. My Exmark and Bunton Walkbehinds all need scraping in the early spring as well as a Bunton Rider. I did try a product called Mow-eze. It is a petroleum based liquid that you spray onto the deck. They say it is good for 40 acres. I have had some success with it. Has any one else tried it?