ZTR Deck Cleaning - How Do You Clean One?

[Hedgemaster]

It's been a long winter with no income. If it were $200 it would still have to wait. That doesn't change the fact that I will need to clean under the deck and I'm sure I'm not the only one who will benefit from the input given in this thread. As I learn more, I'll be able to make an informed decision on what method/product would be best for me when the time comes. I haven't looked into what all is involved in removing my deck - perhaps that would be just as easy? How often do you guys with ZRTs clean under your deck? Like I said, I hose off my push mower EVERY day so the grass doesn't get a chance to harden on there.

[mark123]

Lawn care business tips

Mo-jack is too big to take with you daily. Junglejack is portable, just stick it in the pickup or lash it to the trailer.

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Boughter's Lawn Care Services Mowing and Fertilizing in New Castle, PA

[MICHPLOWER]

Originally Posted by Hedgemaster

It's been a long winter with no income. If it were $200 it would still have to wait.

That doesn't change the fact that I will need to clean under the deck and I'm sure I'm not the only one who will benefit from the input given in this thread.
As I learn more, I'll be able to make an informed decision on what method/product would be best for me when the time comes.

I haven't looked into what all is involved in removing my deck - perhaps that would be just as easy?


How often do you guys with ZRTs clean under your deck?
Like I said, I hose off my push mower EVERY day so the grass doesn't get a chance to harden on there.

First time I cleaned mine!
I drive mine up on truck ramps and used a puddy knife I rounded off so it would be easy to scrape the grass build up off and would not catch on the corners. Then spray clean with a garden hose.

Now all I have to do is just spray off little if any grass build up. I found some silicone spray at Menards, Almost just like (fluid film) but way cheaper and spray that on there.

Sorry for such a long reply I hope this helps.

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by mark123

Mo-jack is too big to take with you daily. Junglejack is portable, just stick it in the pickup or lash it to the trailer.

My first thought was "WHY would you want to take it WITH you every day?", but I started thinking about mowing when grass is a little wet and how I will clean the gunk off between jobs - on my 21" mower.


I was thinking "end of day" cleaning, or "as needed".

Do people really clean ZTRs between jobs? I don't know - that's why I'm asking.

[mark123]

Sometimes you've got to stop and scrape the deck in the middle of a job.

[Ducke]

Well you could do this.

or


or

or

or



or
http://www.compacttractorsyork.co.uk...y/cliplift.jpg

or


Now take some time and make your own contraption to life the mower so you can get under it......
like dig a 6 foot pit in the back yard and put two planks over it. There you know have a place to clean the underside of your mower..

[mark123]

Originally Posted by Ducke

Love that one! I'm going to do it.

Originally Posted by Ducke

... dig a 6 foot pit in the back yard and put two planks over it. There you know have a place to clean the underside of your mower..

Well, if you're squirting water while your under there, you're going to get wet and grassy.

[Spartan]

We use the Mojack EZ, standard hose and spray nozzle. Was well worth the money! Makes the cleanup simple and fast.

[Hedgemaster]

Originally Posted by mark123

Mo-jack is too big to take with you daily. Junglejack is portable, just stick it in the pickup or lash it to the trailer.

The portability of the Jungle Jack is definitely a plus. It's gotta take up less real estate in the garage as well.


My biggest concern in looking at how it operates is that you're lifting the mower by the bottom lip of the deck.
Is that "normal" to lift a ZTR in such a manner? It seems to me that it would be better to lift by the frame, or in the case of the Mojack, by the front wheels.

Thoughts anyone?

[brian'slawncare]

My biggest concern in looking at how it operates is that you're lifting the mower by the bottom lip of the deck.
Is that "normal" to lift a ZTR in such a manner? It seems to me that it would be better to lift by the frame, or in the case of the Mojack, by the front wheels.

I never even thought about that. That kind of makes sense actually, because decks probable were not made to supper the mower. However, I could also see saying that the mojack could stress the wheels...