Necessary to Clean Mower Deck After Every Session?

[Mr Haney]

I am still struggling to find a used diesel zero-turn to replace my aging JD 430. I wanted a Kubota ZD because they have built-in jacks, but good ones don't pop up often at realistic prices. Right now, I can get an okay deal ($8900 asking) on a Gravely Pro Turn 460 with a Kubota engine. A younger ZD326 that looks good has materialized at a better price, but the seller can't show it to me until Friday, and in situations like this, a pushy buyer usually shoves his way in and beats me to the deal.

The Gravely looks good, but I have two issues with it. First, the spindle bearings are sealed, so sooner or later, I will have to replace them. Kubotas have zerks, so I expect the spindle bearings to last longer. Second, the Gravely has no jack, so if I want to get under the deck, I have to drag out a floor jack, a two-by-four, and jackstands.

I have been told that if I want a deck to last, I have to raise it and clean it every time I use it. Is that realistic advice? If it is, I really need a Kubota, because there is no way I'm going to drag a bunch of junk out of the shop every Saturday so I can clean under the Gravely's deck.

 

[RCW]

Just my opinion - -

Cleaning a mower deck after each session doesn't have any "bearing" on your spindles at all.

In fact, if you spray it with water, could cause bearing failure, because you push water into the spindles.

It does keep the pan cleaner, avoid corrosion, and helps with operation of the discharge.

I try to only mow when grass is dry, but there are times I can't. Sometimes I do spray out the deck pan.

I will use a leaf blower on top around the spindles when it's dry.

 

[Mr Haney]

To be clear, I am not suggesting the bearings have anything to do with the cleaning question. Separate issue. I would rather grease zerks over and over than replace bearings.

 

[RCW]

To be clear, I am not suggesting the bearings have anything to do with the cleaning question. Separate issue. I would rather grease zerks over and over than replace bearings.

Got it. I misunderstood.

A good quality (heavy gauge) mower won't corrode away if it has some grass in it.

If I'm mowing dry grass, I don't clean my mower deck.

If it's wet, I do sometimes spray the bottom with a garden hose, but often it's not a great job. More for air flow.

I take my mower off each fall for snowblower work. It gets a more thorough cleaning and service before the next season. Never had problems with that arrangement.

I see you're in Florida - - there are some folks that have a lot of sandy soils.

Sand can erode both the blades as well as the mower deck.

 

[Sawdust&Shavings]

I am still struggling to find a used diesel zero-turn to replace my aging JD 430. I wanted a Kubota ZD because they have built-in jacks, but good ones don't pop up often at realistic prices. Right now, I can get an okay deal ($8900 asking) on a Gravely Pro Turn 460 with a Kubota engine. A younger ZD326 that looks good has materialized at a better price, but the seller can't show it to me until Friday, and in situations like this, a pushy buyer usually shoves his way in and beats me to the deal.

The Gravely looks good, but I have two issues with it. First, the spindle bearings are sealed, so sooner or later, I will have to replace them. Kubotas have zerks, so I expect the spindle bearings to last longer. Second, the Gravely has no jack, so if I want to get under the deck, I have to drag out a floor jack, a two-by-four, and jackstands.

I have been told that if I want a deck to last, I have to raise it and clean it every time I use it. Is that realistic advice? If it is, I really need a Kubota, because there is no way I'm going to drag a bunch of junk out of the shop every Saturday so I can clean under the Gravely's deck.

I mow when the grass is dry and the morning dew has evaporated and I clean my deck, once, at the end of each mowing season. Most years there is nothing to scrape off the underside of the mowing deck.

 

[Mr Haney]

The dirt here is sandy, and I have bahia "grass," if you can call it that.

I have no idea how many hours my mower has on it. The hour meter read 1132 when I got it, but it has never moved since, so God only knows. There is pretty much zero paint on the underside of the deck.

I have never seen anything stuck to the deck, so I wonder if my situation is different from most. A guy from TN says he has to use a putty knife and a butcher knife to clean his deck.

 

[Mr Haney]

Now I'm seeing people on the web complaining that the ZD326 isn't strong enough to run a mulcher without bogging. Strange, because it has 5 more horsepower than my JD, which does okay.

 

[Old Machinist]

The blades on my Kubota MMM have enough lift they self clean the underside of the deck. I have even mowed wet grass then when I mow it dry it cleans the old wet clog off.

Your spindle bearings are most likely sealed whether they have zerks or not. If not they have one seal removed so grease can better get in but pumping grease in them is likely to push the outer seal out if overdone. When I replace spindle bearings I pack some grease in the void and use double sealed bearings. If and when they go bad I replace them but I don't really grease them during their life span. I buy 10 packs of PGN brand sealed bearings off eBay and keep them on hand.

 

[Hoserman]

I clean my BX after every mow, but I use my backpack blower. Does a good job of getting all the dust, dirt, and grass clippings. I raise the deck and blow out a lot of the grass that is stuck there. End of the season the deck comes off and suspend it vertically so I can stand right in front of it and do a good inspection. I will even wire brush any rusty portions and slather on some of that polymer rust converter coating. Is that being anal, yep it is, and I probably will not stop.

 

[imnukensc]

Your sandy soil will keep the underside of your deck clean. I've never cleaned the underside of my deck (7 years?), yet every year when I change blades there is nothing stuck or built up on the underside. I do blow off the topside with the leaf blower every time I mow and take the belt covers off every so often, also, to blow them out well.

 

[jimh406]

I think it has a lot to do with how wet the grass is and how fast it dries on your deck. I remove the buildup from time to time off my riding lawnmower and pull behind, but not every time.

I had a push mower that made it super easy. On that one, I rinsed it off frequently.

 

[NCL4701]

I blow the grass clippings and any other debris off the mowing deck and rest of the machine after each use. That’s true for my T2290, Cub ZTR, Pennsylvania Panzer, bush hog on the L, wife’s Honda push mower, and any others I may have forgotten. Takes about as long to get out the blower and put it back up as it does to blow off the mower.

I’ve never had a fire on any equipment I owned or used, but I’ve been involved in origin and cause investigations on many equipment fires, mostly ag and forestry with some construction and landscaping mixed in. Many were caused by dry or oil soaked flammable material (grass, corn stalks, wheat, saw dust, etc.) coming into contact with a heat source such as exhaust system components or a failing bearing. Some of that is unavoidable, however routinely blowing off the deck and rest of the machine after each use takes very little time and prevents excessive build up of flammable material. That both reduces fire risk and helps maintain effectiveness of cooling systems: radiator, oil cooler, fins on air cooled engines and hydraulic drive motors, etc.

Underside of the decks are all end of season and whenever I’m under there pulling the blades for sharpening or replacement. Most of the time the underside stays clean by itself.

 

[D2Cat]

Just my opinion - -

Cleaning a mower deck after each session doesn't have any "bearing" on your spindles at all.

In fact, if you spray it with water, could cause bearing failure, because you push water into the spindles.

It does keep the pan cleaner, avoid corrosion, and helps with operation of the discharge.

I try to only mow when grass is dry, but there are times I can't. Sometimes I do spray out the deck pan.

I will use a leaf blower on top around the spindles when it's dry.

Don't these two statements contradict each other?

Cleaning a mower deck after each session doesn't have any "bearing" on your spindles at all.

In fact, if you spray it with water, could cause bearing failure, because you push water into the spindles.

 

[D2Cat]

I'm extremely prejudicial, but if you want an excellent zero turn look at Grasshopper. Get one with a powerfold deck. You can get a diesel or gas. Gas is a Kubota engine. All models are commericial/industrial rated. If you trim any trees get the one with the deck out front (It's the one with powerfold).

 

[Mr Haney]

Thanks for all the help.

It's too late for me to start looking for other brands. There aren't a lot of Grasshoppers around here anyway.

I'm really hoping I bring a mower home tomorrow. I am beyond over the JD.

 

[RCW]

Don't these two statements contradict each other?

Cleaning a mower deck after each session doesn't have any "bearing" on your spindles at all.

In fact, if you spray it with water, could cause bearing failure, because you push water into the spindles.

Sure enough....... Meant to say cleaning might/could cause problems if done improperly.

Sure didn't relate it well.

Thanks for all the help.

It's too late for me to start looking for other brands. There aren't a lot of Grasshoppers around here anyway.

I'm really hoping I bring a mower home tomorrow. I am beyond over the JD.

Please let us know what you get.

I know I'm curious.

Commercial guys around here use a wide variety of mower brands.

Good luck in your search.