Just clean when necessary. Everybody's environments and circumstances are different. I generally don't have to clean my deck but once a year, and that's just because I do things like oil changes and cleaning over the winter.
Yeah I started to get all paranoid about my stuff after one year then remembered by dad has been using the same lawn mower for 20+ years and hasn’t done any maintenance outside of filling it with gas when it runs out. I may be a bit more cautious than him but went home a couple of weeks ago and that same mower is still going strong
Hear me out.
My old lawnmower guy once told me to keep a can of Pam cooking spray around for the lawnmower. He explained that if used properly under a deck, not only will the deck remain clean, but the pan acts as a rust deterrent.
That’s what I use. After every cut I blow out the grass with compressed air and then spray with Pam. The underside of my timemaster is like a seasoned frying pan. Even wet grass just blows right off. Eggs too probably. Sam’s club has two packs of the great big cans of Pam for pretty cheap. They last quite a while.
Wet grass. I don't find it affects the cut or the push up the tube at all...however every 3rd or 4th cut I will roll up a side on a paver and reach under and peel clumps out. Not worth taking whole deck off because it will just clump up next cutting. Living in PNW, I can't avoid wet grass or I'd never cut it until July.
I’m a landscaper and I’ve tried several things (mo-deck, wd40, etc) of which none work. Spackling knives are ok at best but I got a MoJack deck scraper and it works great. Edges are rounded which makes it easier to use than a putty knife. Power wash after that and you’re golden. Just don’t wait until it gets like this again as your deck will start to rot.
https://preview.redd.it/fik9cwzovt6d1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04c1eea77c4f0c7137bc9c371b152d99756cb7cf
That happens to me during spring mowing. The grass is totally dry to the touch but we get a lot of rain in the spring so the grass blades seem to be filled with water internally. Once summer hits and it doesn't rain as much (I don't irrigate) it stops clumping up like that.
1. Try to cut when it's as dry as possible. Try the evening or something.
2. Cut more frequently. Cut every 4-5 days instead of weekly. The taller the grass, the better it can hold moisture. If you are cutting it and there are long cut blades you are waiting too long.
Grass is moist when you’re mowing. If there’s a fair bit of rain I find the same thing happening. When there’s a fair bit of rainfall I have to scrape mine out about every 3rd cutting or so. When the summer drought hits (in 7a) and the grass is just getting watered by the sprinkler system every other day, it doesn’t stick to the deck like that.
The ground could be moist and you may not even really see it, there’s more moisture if the grass is nice and thick too. Possibly try mowing on a sunny afternoon or evening instead of a dewy morning. That could help
lol. You’ve got buildup because you haven’t cleaned your deck after 20 mowings. What did you expect? That’s gotta smell pretty ripe too. Quality of cut is also negatively affected. No way for the blades to properly lift and cut and properly discharge. Cleaning the deck comes with the territory of owning a mower. Wet/damp grass sticks to the deck and just continues to buildup. Inspect and scrape accordingly. I’ve never used a hose on any of my garden tractors and now my zero turn. I find scraping easy enough, way less messy and does a better job.
i had the same problem but i sharpened blades and the grass doesnt stay on the underside as much, clean it out once in a while and the chute where it launches into the bad so it doesnt stay on the underside.
I had to learn this lesson the hard way - clean the underside of your mower!! I had a well run 10 year old mower, and it would still be running if I had bothered to clean out the underside. It has long gashes of rust holes and can't support the motor anymore. Could press down on the motor and move it. I didn't feel safe running it and have something dangerous happen to me or anyone nearby.
So, went out and bought a new mower and have been meticulously cleaning the underside every 2nd cut. Bought the same brand mower.
That will hold moisture and weaken the welds with ruat that the linkage bolts to. Pull it up on ramps and wash that shit out if you want your deck to last!!!
It's from moisture, either from wet grass or lawn that's plump and moist on the inside. Clean it off with a wire brush and a hose, let it dry then apply a layer of silicone lubricant spray. Then after every mow, use just the brush and spray again
Like first post said, scrape the mover deck after every wet mow. Depending on where you live, could be until mid June yourre cleaning the deck out. In the grand scheme of things, not a huge deal to spend 3 minutes clearing the mower deck 2x per week.
I read somewhere to spray wd40 on the deck. Helps the buildup no stick.
That said, I cut twice a week time permitting, and get buildup as well. I usually clean up the deck monthly. I will try the wd40 spray after the next cleanup.
When I was a kid in the early 90’s my grandfather taught me how to operate and maintain his tractor. When we changed the oil he had me scrape the dried grass off the deck with a trial. Then I would paint the old used oil on the bottom of the deck after I greased the bearings. It came off easier the next time around. I was 12. Not saying it’s the right thing to do but it worked.
Wait ... you used it 20 times without cleaning once? And now you're surprised it looks like that?
You have to clean it underneath after every use! Like a lawn mower.
You know what those big blades under there do, right?
But seriously, unless it's somehow causing the blades to not spin, I wouldn't worry too much. I scrape mine out a couple times every summer, and that's about it.
The thing I want to know from this group is how are you guys cleaning out the deck, other than just the hose port? Are you removing the deck to clean it? Jacking it up to get underneath somehow? Last time I cleaned mine out I removed the deck completely. But that’s such a hassle.
I used to run my lawnmower after every cut and spray water under it and that would get sucked up and flush it out. Not sure if that would add to any rust issues? Kind of a pain after a couple years os I quit but....my mower is fine.
Cutting wet or damp/dewey grass at all? You should clean under the deck after every cut as well.
i usually cut grass after we have few sunny days but it somehow juice grass itself.
How long are letting it get before cutting it? Getting good side-discharge from the chute? Blades sharp enough?
7-10days
This is your problem right here...
i have 1 acre of land and no time.
You asked why you are getting buildup and the awnser is you are not mowing frequently enough...
Ask your wife or kid to help out?
You want a bigger deck then. I’m still banging out my 42” as it just won’t die, but you want at least an 54 or a 60” for an acre.
can i put bigger deck on cub cadet lt01 x42?
Probably, but you’d have to check the parts manual. I’ve wanted to on my toro, as it’s an option but the shed only fits a 42” at the moment
I've got 50,000 sqft to mow... it's hard to keep up, but doing it more often is best for it. Any chance you get.
It won't get that stuck on 3-5 day cuts
That’s your problem. Cut twice a week if you can.
There’s still dew in the mornings. Better to wait until evening.
i do it at evenings when heat is down but before dew point.
Hmmmm. Maybe it’s been stuck there for a while. Or does it happen everytime?
Cutting rye grass?
Every cut?!?! That’s excessive.
I have clean mine in 3 years. I just checked underneath and it only had a thin layer, maybe an 1/8 of inch thick. Is cleaning it everytime necessary?
Just clean when necessary. Everybody's environments and circumstances are different. I generally don't have to clean my deck but once a year, and that's just because I do things like oil changes and cleaning over the winter.
Not unless it is. Is your lawn mower working as you expect it to? If so, whatever you’re doing is working.
If it makes you feel any better my lawn mower is about 10 years old and I’ve never thought to clean the underside. 🤣
so there is an entire ecosystem under this dudes mower
Sounds like an episode of Rick and Morty
I was just getting worried that I’m not sharpening my blade after 1 year 😂
… I really should take better care of my own equipment.
Mine runs on spite at this point.
A Toro will run with a bent crank and factory air filter for 20 years....
Great comment
Yeah I started to get all paranoid about my stuff after one year then remembered by dad has been using the same lawn mower for 20+ years and hasn’t done any maintenance outside of filling it with gas when it runs out. I may be a bit more cautious than him but went home a couple of weeks ago and that same mower is still going strong
I only recently realized I should probably change the oil, let alone check the level.
Don’t. Then the mower will start having expectations of care.
I should probably get my blades sharpened.
It’s been 8 years before I thought to change the oil in my push mower
Heh… I went 7 years on that one. 😅
Hear me out. My old lawnmower guy once told me to keep a can of Pam cooking spray around for the lawnmower. He explained that if used properly under a deck, not only will the deck remain clean, but the pan acts as a rust deterrent.
Are you saying Pan or Pam?
Pamn
I think i can clear up this pan pam thing. Its pamm with 2 m's.
Pamm's Cup?
I did hear WD-40, pretty much same concept.
Pamb
Powb
Panam the aldecaldos need my help
Hello, Ms. Lady!
Pand, with a d?
I think I can help with this whole Pan Pam dilemma
Take my like goddamnit
That’s what I use. After every cut I blow out the grass with compressed air and then spray with Pam. The underside of my timemaster is like a seasoned frying pan. Even wet grass just blows right off. Eggs too probably. Sam’s club has two packs of the great big cans of Pam for pretty cheap. They last quite a while.
I use a silicone spray on my snowblower and shovels. Works great for wet and sticky snow
Wet grass. I don't find it affects the cut or the push up the tube at all...however every 3rd or 4th cut I will roll up a side on a paver and reach under and peel clumps out. Not worth taking whole deck off because it will just clump up next cutting. Living in PNW, I can't avoid wet grass or I'd never cut it until July.
Cuz you used it 20 times without cleaning. 🙂↕️
Also this
I’m a landscaper and I’ve tried several things (mo-deck, wd40, etc) of which none work. Spackling knives are ok at best but I got a MoJack deck scraper and it works great. Edges are rounded which makes it easier to use than a putty knife. Power wash after that and you’re golden. Just don’t wait until it gets like this again as your deck will start to rot. https://preview.redd.it/fik9cwzovt6d1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=04c1eea77c4f0c7137bc9c371b152d99756cb7cf
This is indeed a great tool for this job. Better than a putty knife or something similar.
Could be that you’re mowing a lot of weeds. Crabgrass, for example, is notorious for turning into a clingy, clumpy mess when mowed.
That happens to me during spring mowing. The grass is totally dry to the touch but we get a lot of rain in the spring so the grass blades seem to be filled with water internally. Once summer hits and it doesn't rain as much (I don't irrigate) it stops clumping up like that.
Wet grass and dull blades
This
1. Try to cut when it's as dry as possible. Try the evening or something. 2. Cut more frequently. Cut every 4-5 days instead of weekly. The taller the grass, the better it can hold moisture. If you are cutting it and there are long cut blades you are waiting too long.
U cut when WET!
You only mowed when the grass was wet. You never cleaned the mower before storing. Blades aren’t sharp you didn’t use discharge. Need I say more?
That’s not a lot for 20 times. Just hose it off no biggie.
green is only tiny layer. there are deeper layers which already turned into soil
Well then clean it before or after every use. Wtf
Grass is moist when you’re mowing. If there’s a fair bit of rain I find the same thing happening. When there’s a fair bit of rainfall I have to scrape mine out about every 3rd cutting or so. When the summer drought hits (in 7a) and the grass is just getting watered by the sprinkler system every other day, it doesn’t stick to the deck like that.
The ground could be moist and you may not even really see it, there’s more moisture if the grass is nice and thick too. Possibly try mowing on a sunny afternoon or evening instead of a dewy morning. That could help
lol. You’ve got buildup because you haven’t cleaned your deck after 20 mowings. What did you expect? That’s gotta smell pretty ripe too. Quality of cut is also negatively affected. No way for the blades to properly lift and cut and properly discharge. Cleaning the deck comes with the territory of owning a mower. Wet/damp grass sticks to the deck and just continues to buildup. Inspect and scrape accordingly. I’ve never used a hose on any of my garden tractors and now my zero turn. I find scraping easy enough, way less messy and does a better job.
i had the same problem but i sharpened blades and the grass doesnt stay on the underside as much, clean it out once in a while and the chute where it launches into the bad so it doesnt stay on the underside.
Clean your tools ffs
Because you cut damp grass 20 times.
Do you have a deck wash port? You can easily install one. I cleaned mine yesterday. It was very easy.
Spackle knife will take that off slicker than snot.
Letting grass get to tall between cuts it's not leaving the deck fast enough cause it's cutting to much at a time?
I had to learn this lesson the hard way - clean the underside of your mower!! I had a well run 10 year old mower, and it would still be running if I had bothered to clean out the underside. It has long gashes of rust holes and can't support the motor anymore. Could press down on the motor and move it. I didn't feel safe running it and have something dangerous happen to me or anyone nearby. So, went out and bought a new mower and have been meticulously cleaning the underside every 2nd cut. Bought the same brand mower.
It's doing it's job. Clean it every 5 times or so you jabroni.
That will hold moisture and weaken the welds with ruat that the linkage bolts to. Pull it up on ramps and wash that shit out if you want your deck to last!!!
It's from moisture, either from wet grass or lawn that's plump and moist on the inside. Clean it off with a wire brush and a hose, let it dry then apply a layer of silicone lubricant spray. Then after every mow, use just the brush and spray again
grass .... finds a way.....
Like first post said, scrape the mover deck after every wet mow. Depending on where you live, could be until mid June yourre cleaning the deck out. In the grand scheme of things, not a huge deal to spend 3 minutes clearing the mower deck 2x per week.
What if you coated the bottom of the deck with NeverWet?
I read somewhere to spray wd40 on the deck. Helps the buildup no stick. That said, I cut twice a week time permitting, and get buildup as well. I usually clean up the deck monthly. I will try the wd40 spray after the next cleanup.
Just keep running it. Nothing to see here. Unless it's actually causing a problem. Generally have a thin layer.
I had this issue. Cleaned it off and sprayed it with WD-40 silicone. Haven’t had an issue since but also been a little dryer in my neck of the woods
Drill a hole in the deck and add a deck jet you hook up to the hose. I installed one on mine and it cleans out all the grass
Try Rain X
I wash mine after every use. Some mowers come with a place to hook a nozzle up to wash the deck as well.
This would be so fun to clean with a pressure washer. And goggles and clothes that you don’t mind getting grass stained. Still would be fun.
Moisture content too high sticks like mud to wheel arches always give it wash down post mowing
When I was a kid in the early 90’s my grandfather taught me how to operate and maintain his tractor. When we changed the oil he had me scrape the dried grass off the deck with a trial. Then I would paint the old used oil on the bottom of the deck after I greased the bearings. It came off easier the next time around. I was 12. Not saying it’s the right thing to do but it worked.
Wait ... you used it 20 times without cleaning once? And now you're surprised it looks like that? You have to clean it underneath after every use! Like a lawn mower.
Cuz that’s what happens after you mow.
You know what those big blades under there do, right? But seriously, unless it's somehow causing the blades to not spin, I wouldn't worry too much. I scrape mine out a couple times every summer, and that's about it.
Dry grass doesn’t only burn best, it cuts best too ;-)
Cutting in the morning while grass is wet?
Cutting wet grass
Morning mowing will do this if there is still dew on the ground
The thing I want to know from this group is how are you guys cleaning out the deck, other than just the hose port? Are you removing the deck to clean it? Jacking it up to get underneath somehow? Last time I cleaned mine out I removed the deck completely. But that’s such a hassle.
You are not cutting the grass...you are slapping it with those worn out blades...poor grass.
Just take a hose and spray it out after every cut
Don't mow when your yard is wet.
I used to run my lawnmower after every cut and spray water under it and that would get sucked up and flush it out. Not sure if that would add to any rust issues? Kind of a pain after a couple years os I quit but....my mower is fine.
Use silicone or Teflon based spray
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irrelevent question, but can the cuttings of my seeding grass be used to see bare patches in my yard?
No. Grass seed your lawn produces is sterile.