I wonder if anybody has a good solution to help avoid heavy buildup of clippings under the deck. I have massive buildups under my Hustler 52. I use Gator blades but it doesn't seem to make a difference what blade i use.
I've tried spraying several things on the deck after I clean it, (Blaster-a Dry lube with Teflon, a Silicone spray), nothing completely eliminates buildup, (maybe that's impossible).
The real problem is that clipping buildup eventually causes small strips of grass that doesn't cut properly, unless one just CREEPS along.
Anything that has been found to help prevent that buildup?
I'll thank you in advance. John
Ive heard nothing lasts too long, i try not to mow wet but i only mow part time so i usually can avoid this. Otherwise i use my 4" tapered putty knife and it scrapes good
Yep, the putty knife works well, I would just like to avoid using it. I too try to avoid mowing wet and it makes a difference but sometimes it can't be helped.
For what it’s worth, I took my G6 blades off and it helped tremendously going back to the standard high lift blades when cutting the thick spring growth weeds etc. I’ll save the G6 blades for the fall.
For what it's worth, I took my G6 blades off and it helped tremendously going back to the standard high lift blades when cutting the thick spring growth weeds etc. I'll save the G6 blades for the fall.
There you go. Gators, etc cause more deck buildup. Later, when the grass dries out you can try them again. Even consider doing one or two blades with a high lift discharge blade for smaller clippings and better distribution.
im thinking cut a few holes around sides of deck that you cap off . then after each job open caps and use back pack blower to quickly blow the grass out . holes have to be placed in proper area so the flow of air sort of runs around the circular baffles . and brushing on vegi oil after cleaning makes it easier the next time you clean / scrape . also for scraping at end of day hose down the underside to make scrapin easier . can also slide a flat type non moving sprinkler under deck and let it run while also movin it around from spindle to spindle as a way to wash a bunch of grass off . leave that sprinkler under each spindle 5 minutes at high pressure and a whole bunch of grass washes out . lot better than lyin under an scrapin
I wonder if anybody has a good solution to help avoid heavy buildup of clippings under the deck. I have massive buildups under my Hustler 52. I use Gator blades but it doesn't seem to make a difference what blade i use.
I've tried spraying several things on the deck after I clean it, (Blaster-a Dry lube with Teflon, a Silicone spray), nothing completely eliminates buildup, (maybe that's impossible).
The real problem is that clipping buildup eventually causes small strips of grass that doesn't cut properly, unless one just CREEPS along.
Anything that has been found to help prevent that buildup?
I'll thank you in advance. John
If you find one let us know I tried the pam thing, and it helped some. Clover is the worst around here for sticking under the deck, and then everything else starts sticking to it.
I've even used a graphite spray that farmers use for some things and all that did was about make me sick from the graphite that floats in the air. I've tried many things, nothing works 100%. Mowing when the grass is bone dry is the very best answer and grass with a lot of juice in it, like clover, will always be a problem.
What i have found is that nothing will prevent all sticking. Using FluidFilm (FF) after scraping prevents rust and over time and use it will help SOME with grass sticking. And what does stick will be easier to scrape off later. After repeated use and FF coatings the underside of the deck get an almost seasoned slick like feel to it.
Nothing is 100%. But like others said. High lifts really help and fluid film is the best ive found. Now way G6 gators are gonna help. Thats a mess in the spring.
I wonder if anybody has a good solution to help avoid heavy buildup of clippings under the deck. I have massive buildups under my Hustler 52. I use Gator blades but it doesn't seem to make a difference what blade i use.
I've tried spraying several things on the deck after I clean it, (Blaster-a Dry lube with Teflon, a Silicone spray), nothing completely eliminates buildup, (maybe that's impossible).
The real problem is that clipping buildup eventually causes small strips of grass that doesn't cut properly, unless one just CREEPS along.
Anything that has been found to help prevent that buildup?
I'll thank you in advance. John
Why do the engine manufacturers make the throttle adjustable if it should only ever be run at full throttle? Wouldn't an engine produce less heat at lower throttle, thus needing less air circulation to cool?
Unless it's liquid cooled it's not a good idea and even then engines are designed to run WOT for most effective cooling. Throttle adjustment is mostly there for engaging and disengagement of blades to save the PTO clutch. I never tend to have much of a problem with "grass" buildup but weeds and dirt are what really cake up a deck. Over greasing spindles also tends to leave a residue under the deck that stuff likes to stick to like glue. Height of grass cut also plays a factor in buildup. You try to take off 4-5 inches of damp grass in one pass you gonna get some buildup. Scraping is just sometimes the nature of the beast. It can't be helped.
"Candle wax"! The only thing I know about that is what drips off a burning candle! Obviously there is more to it than that, how or what would you get? Do you buy a 'can' of it or?
I feel vacuum is the main issue, aside from moisture. Low lift blades are my next try. Even medium lift create a lot of build up on my tightly baffled deck. Deck design is the real cause of all issues cutting. Wide open deck long clipping, small clipping tightly baffled...
I agree that deck design has much to do with the problem. In my case there are two areas that build up FAR sooner than the other portions of the deck, and when I begin to create strips, I know exactly where to reach under to pull out the buildup that is causing the problem. Can't do anything about that however.
As the person that has started this thread I feel I should make the following comment.
I appreciate all the replies and ideas, but it has caused me to do some thinking about my problem. I've come to the conclusion that I am (partly), causing my own problem.
I do something that sort of violates rule #1, that is I 'recut' as I mow.
Instead of going 'around and around' throwing the clippings out so they are not mowed over the second time, I like to 'recut', (that is mow 'back and forth'), therefore going back over the clippings that have been just thrown our.
Part of this is because I like to do the 'striping' of a lawn which is accomplished by 'back and forth' mowing.
In doing so however I am mowing the same clippings a second time, causing them to be chopped up even more which is adding to the mass of 'stuff' under the deck. So, I guess I may have to change my mowing technique or put up with it, OR make sure to only mow when it's 'desert dry" grass.
As the person that has started this thread I feel I should make the following comment.
I appreciate all the replies and ideas, but it has caused me to do some thinking about my problem. I've come to the conclusion that I am (partly), causing my own problem.
I do something that sort of violates rule #1, that is I 'recut' as I mow.
Instead of going 'around and around' throwing the clippings out so they are not mowed over the second time, I like to 'recut', (that is mow 'back and forth'), therefore going back over the clippings that have been just thrown our.
Part of this is because I like to do the 'striping' of a lawn which is accomplished by 'back and forth' mowing.
In doing so however I am mowing the same clippings a second time, causing them to be chopped up even more which is adding to the mass of 'stuff' under the deck. So, I guess I may have to change my mowing technique or put up with it, OR make sure to only mow when it's 'desert dry" grass.
Good point! When I HAVE to mow wet grass it's generally much better to always discharge to the outside instead of running over wet clippings. If ya just have to stripe then be ready to do a little scraping of its wet.
I don't understand HOW running an air cooled engine at half throttle will overheat it. Been doing it this way for 15 years and never overheated one.
Engineers tell you a lot of things, most of which are nonsense. Things like "Never mow the grass when wet" or "Never cut more than 1/3rd the clipping". Sounds more like lawyer talk than good advice. Hello engineer :waving: goodbye reality :waving:
My best cut comes when my engine is turning 3600-3650 rpms. That is full throttle. With good sharp blades weeds look like carpet from 20 ft. Half throttle makes the engine lug. I can think of no reason I'd ever think it was best to mow at less than full throttle. String trimmer, yes but lawn mower, no.
The only time you'd do it is when your mowing soaking wet / overgrown grass with a tightly baffled deck. Blade tip speeds and tightly baffled decks don't mix well with wet lawns riddled with broadleaf weeds. Sure the cut itself will be clean but the discharge will clump the entire time. Lowering the throttle will cause the discharge to clump less and the deck itself to not clog up anywhere near as fast.
Leaves often times mulch better at reduced throttle. Also backing up over leaves while mulching can be even more effective => also at reduced throttle.
I don't buy this part/half throttle cooling issue. With this logic, it seems that idling would be worst of all. Yeah, taking this to an extreme, but whatever.
1. Who lets their mowers idle the length of time it would take to cut a property? 15-30 minutes? An hour? And 2. At idle neither your PTO or your hydros are taxing the engine.
Here’s the problem with the low lift blade theory. High lifts even though they create more lift they also get grass out of the deck quicker and further leading to less buildup. Lower lift blades just seem to keep grass under your deck too long IME and discharge looks almost like a dribble.
After some tips from you fellows in this forum, I have just finished the second mowing using the new G6 Gator blades that I got from Oregon online parts. I was surprised to see that those blades are a bit 'thicker' and nearly a half inch "wider" than the prior Gator blades I have been using and it seems like they throw the clipping out farther. I love em. Also, by way of this forum I learned of 'Fluid Film', got some, (had to hunt it seems to be a newer product at our Farm & Fleet store), and believe that it is FAR better than the other things I've used under the deck to help eliminate clipping and dirt buildup.
I wonder if anybody has a good solution to help avoid heavy buildup of clippings under the deck. I have massive buildups under my Hustler 52. I use Gator blades but it doesn't seem to make a difference what blade i use.
I've tried spraying several things on the deck after I clean it, (Blaster-a Dry lube with Teflon, a Silicone spray), nothing completely eliminates buildup, (maybe that's impossible).
The real problem is that clipping buildup eventually causes small strips of grass that doesn't cut properly, unless one just CREEPS along.
Anything that has been found to help prevent that buildup?
I'll thank you in advance. John
I scrape all my decks before the start of the day. I keep a putty knife on hand.
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