Any tricks for cleaning a finish mower deck?

[Cowboy]

Just curious as to how others here deal with cleaning the underside of finish mower decks. I spend as much time cleaning the decks as I do mowing it seems.

The last time i took it off the tractor i leaned it on its side, washed it with the power washer, then scraped and brushed it clean (due to surface rust), treated it and painted it with a urothane paint. I thought that might help keep it from sticking so bad, but it didn't seem to help much at all. If i dont clean it good after mowing a couple of acres then it builds up so bad it starts wearing the ends of the blades.

I'm really getting tired of laying under the damn thing trying to wash it out and i dont have time to remove it everytime it gets dirty. Any ideas?

 

[bczoom]

Fluid Film.

 

[Cowboy]

Fluid Film.

I never heard of it before, is that something TSC would carry ?

 

[Doc]

I don't think TSC carries it but you can get it online.

http://www.fluid-film.com/

It has been a big hit over on the tractor forum.

 

[Cowboy]

Thanks for the tip BC & Doc, I did a search and found a place in Wichita that carrys it. Which is best, aerosol cans or gallon for spray application?

 

[bczoom]

Sorry I couldn't elaborate in my first post as I was running out the door.

Thanks for providing the link Doc.

As you've seen, it comes in a spray can or gallon jug. I use both but on different things. The viscosity of each product is probably similar to its equivalent container of paint so the gallon jug isn't commensurate to using as a spray. You paint it on with a paint brush (and it doesn't harden so I just put the wet brush in a small plastic bag and leave it on the gallon jug).

For under the mower deck, I'd recommend the gallon. I also brush it on my implements to keep them from rusting. It does a great job of keeping the grass from sticking to the deck. What little grass may stick to it comes right off with scraping or a hose/pressure washer but I find I only have to do that touch-up once or twice a season. My deck used to clog during most every mowing. After applying, the lift from the blades does still push the grass up against the deck if the grass is wet but if I disengage the mower, all the grass falls off.

I use the stuff everywhere for lubrication, rust prevention... The cans of WD-40 and PB Blaster sit on the shelf collecting dust as this stuff does a better job on most everything.

 

[300 H and H]

We use a spray on called Slip Plate, used in Ag. It's like a spray on graphite type product. It does were off eventally, but once or twice a year really helps...

Regards, Kirk

 

[Cowboy]

We use a spray on called Slip Plate, used in Ag. It's like a spray on graphite type product. It does were off eventally, but once or twice a year really helps...

Regards, Kirk

One of the places i called had the Slip Plate you suggested Kirk but i went with what BC told me about first. Thanks for the heads up though.

Sorry I couldn't elaborate in my first post as I was running out the door.

Thanks for providing the link Doc.

As you've seen, it comes in a spray can or gallon jug. I use both but on different things. The viscosity of each product is probably similar to its equivalent container of paint so the gallon jug isn't commensurate to using as a spray. You paint it on with a paint brush (and it doesn't harden so I just put the wet brush in a small plastic bag and leave it on the gallon jug).

For under the mower deck, I'd recommend the gallon. I also brush it on my implements to keep them from rusting. It does a great job of keeping the grass from sticking to the deck. What little grass may stick to it comes right off with scraping or a hose/pressure washer but I find I only have to do that touch-up once or twice a season. My deck used to clog during most every mowing. After applying, the lift from the blades does still push the grass up against the deck if the grass is wet but if I disengage the mower, all the grass falls off.

I use the stuff everywhere for lubrication, rust prevention... The cans of WD-40 and PB Blaster sit on the shelf collecting dust as this stuff does a better job on most everything.

BC i had a heck of a time finding anyone that still carrys the Fluid Film as most said they are no longer dealers for it including Grainger. Of coarse they all carry a different product now they say is much better called "Deep Creep" at twice the price. Go figure.

I finally called the John Deere dealership and they were out of the gallon cans but they had 6 aeresols left, so I got them all.

I sprayed it on the deck yesterday morning and mowed for a couple of hours expecting to still find some dirt and grass stuck underneath the deck, but it was as clean as a whistle, i washed my tractor instead.

I sure wished i would have asked before, but thanks for the heads up on the fluid film i might actually enjoy mowing again. I sprayed some on some stuck cables i had to and it almost instantly freed them up where PB blaster didn't help at all. I just wanted to thankyou again.

 

[bczoom]

You're quite welcome Cowboy.

As I recall, you can order the stuff online right from the mfgr's site.

Did you ask your JD dealer when they'll be getting more? When I first got it, 6 cans only lasted me about a month. Once I saw its capabilities, I used it on everything and used up all the cans. Now that everything has a coat, I'm in maintenance mode and only use a few cans a year. A gallon jug lasts me 5+ years since I only use it on the big stuff (3-point hitch equipment, lawn rollers, mower decks... basically all the big stuff but it only needs 1 coat a year).

 

[Cowboy]

You're quite welcome Cowboy.

As I recall, you can order the stuff online right from the mfgr's site.

Did you ask your JD dealer when they'll be getting more? When I first got it, 6 cans only lasted me about a month. Once I saw its capabilities, I used it on everything and used up all the cans. Now that everything has a coat, I'm in maintenance mode and only use a few cans a year. A gallon jug lasts me 5+ years since I only use it on the big stuff (3-point hitch equipment, lawn rollers, mower decks... basically all the big stuff but it only needs 1 coat a year).

Yes, they are supposed to be getting more any day, i told them to save me a gallon and 12 more of the aeresol cans. It seems like everytime i find something that works for me they quit carrying it, so i didn't want to take the chance this time.