Deck wash port on mowers

[Charlie M]

Here's a follow up question to Fawteen's post about cleaning mower decks. Anybody have a deck on any mower with the built in wash port on it. If so do you use it and is it worth using. I bought a JD zero turn last year and the guy that delivered wasn't to big on the idea. Didn't seem to do anything except wash grease out of the bearings according to the driver. I haven't tried it. Any one use it and think its worth using?

 

[40Mule]

I have never used it on Simplicity 52 inch rider. Mechanic delivered it and said I could try it, but way out in the open. Said Boss tried it and covered a white fence. Advised me to just spray the deck with WD40. I mow often so not as much buildup problem

 

[Tony in SD]

I bought a used JD X540 with only 145 hours on it. The mower deck had a wash port. All I can tell you is that the spindles were froze. I got them loose with out much trouble. I don't know if it was because of the water washing the grease out or it it just sat a long time or both.

 

[kevin110]

DO NOT use that wash port. You want a clean DRY deck. The water is also a BAD idea around the bearings and other metal parts. kevin110

 

[Fawteen]

All of the above. I tried pressure washing once, same results: potential damage to spindles and a nasty mess that's difficult to clean up. The other drawback to pressure washing (at least for me) is that it's already up on the mower lift, might as well just scrape it.

 

[Charles in Aus.]

Used the wash port once on my JD52" mower . Useless is an understatement.

 

[Steve in VA]

Here's a follow up question to Fawteen's post about cleaning mower decks. Anybody have a deck on any mower with the built in wash port on it. If so do you use it and is it worth using. I bought a JD zero turn last year and the guy that delivered wasn't to big on the idea. Didn't seem to do anything except wash grease out of the bearings according to the driver. I haven't tried it. Any one use it and think its worth using?

Add me to the list of them that don't use it. In addition to being messy, I found that the port is always full of dust, debris, and other junk that is in itself a pain to clear out so water will go through. Maybe it was supposed to have a cover but never did.

 

[B. White]

Anyone I've ever known who got paid to work on them said keep water away and if you think you need to clean a mower it use air.

 

[Blackhole49]

40 years ago I got a 4 year old case 446 with a 48" deck. I washed the underside of the deck deck with a hose nozzle after every mowing (3 acres). Before the summer was out, I replaced bearings on 2 spindles. After the second spindle, I stopped washing. For the remaining 10 years I had the mower, I didn't replace any spindle bearings. I've always greased my spindles about every 8 hours.

 

[Mrfred54]

Never used it on my cub cadets. Air only, water and bearings don’t like each other. If the deck is that plugged, scrape it

 

[Mike(NEOhio)]

I have a 48" Husqvarna. I use it. Kind of a pain but pretty effective. I didn't use it the first few seasons I had the mower but got sick of laying on the ground and trying to reach under the deck. It works but takes a good 5-10 minutes and I have to stay in the seat. Never knew for sure how well it worked till I took the deck off once and was surprised at how clean it was. I run the blades some after the washout.

 

[Phill Tibbetts]

My zero turn came with a hose connection but it was useless so I put on a second one. Now I have 2 useless ones. Don't bother with them now, use the air hose. If I have some scrap bushes 1/2 inch diameter I mow them. That is the best way I have found to clean the deck. I usually mow a whole bunch the last of the mowing season and it is really clean when I park it for the winter. 10 years old and no problems of any kind.

 

[jdeere562]

The deck wash port works well on my push mower. But there are no spindle bearings and blade is mounted direct on the crankshaft.

 

[Brian G. NY]

Wow.....I've never seen a mower deck where the build-up was loose enuf it could be blown out with air...... even at 100 PSI.
I have cleaned my deck on occasion by "shooting" water up under it with the blades spinning.
That works to some degree but I always find myself having to use a putty knife to peel out those big chunks of tightly packed grass under my deck.
When the grass is really green and wet, I do it after every mowing.
I occasionally mow my neighbor's lawn and he has a small very shallow stream nearby. I drive into it and slowly lower the deck.
You'd be surprised how much power it takes to "mow" water. LOL
This does really clean the deck.
I have never worried about water in the bearings; the blades force the water away from the spindles and mine are greaseable.
I give each spindle a couple of shots after every use which is generally about 2 to 2-1/2 hours.
I haven't replaced a spindle bearing in many, many years.
These are simply the observations of an old man who has been mowing lawns for a whole lot of years.

 

[Brian G. NY]

My zero turn came with a hose connection but it was useless so I put on a second one. Now I have 2 useless ones. Don't bother with them now, use the air hose. If I have some scrap bushes 1/2 inch diameter I mow them. That is the best way I have found to clean the deck. I usually mow a whole bunch the last of the mowing season and it is really clean when I park it for the winter. 10 years old and no problems of any kind.

I chop my leaves in the fall....that cleans the deck really well for winter storage.

 

[MeanGene1]

I have a 42" Craftsman that I bought new in 2000 and have been able to keep it going, mainly because I picked the pressure-oiled Kohler engine option- it's a chugger. Replaced the mandrels once, and scrapped another mower that had a fresh set of blades so swapped them on. Got sick of the carb cutoff switch so eliminated it. When doing maintenance, I will set my forklift forks just wide enough to fit between the rear tires and raise the deck up and slide them in from the rear and pick it up so I can work on it sitting or standing. An old putty knife on a stick and the air hose with a long nozzle takes care of business. A buddy scrapped another one that had the same big tires and have used both of them, but the worst problem is the lame fronts, have gone thru a bunch off other mowers

 

[NDIHC]

My dad has a Toro ZTR with the wash out port on the deck. I suppose the mower is about 5 years old. He's pushing 91 and doesn't want to lay under the deck scraping grass. He uses the wash out every time he mows and the deck has absolutely no build up on it. It looks like new yet. I have a Z2 Cub Cadet, just bought it this year. It has a place for the wash out fitting but I didn't buy one. I haven't looked under the deck yet to compare his mower to mine. I only have 10 hours on mine.

 

[Texasmark]

Here's a follow up question to Fawteen's post about cleaning mower decks. Anybody have a deck on any mower with the built in wash port on it. If so do you use it and is it worth using. I bought a JD zero turn last year and the guy that delivered wasn't to big on the idea. Didn't seem to do anything except wash grease out of the bearings according to the driver. I haven't tried it. Any one use it and think its worth using?

Not worth the effort. Early on, I bought sets for my older mowers which is what I used before they came standard on some decks and they make a big mess and sweep out clippings but don't do a complete job so I abandoned that effort. On my newer stamped decks I have them but don't use them.

 

[want@1070]

I have a 1998.Toro 17-44 tractor, 3 blade deck, does nice mowing job , I keep blades sharp,
3 hours a week 6 months with Leaf mulching.
my Dad mowed for years, retired, had luxury of dry late afternoon mowing
Dry clean only , sealed deck bearings, Still like new .
Just lucky I guess, I use a stool to lean on to get up off of floor, Original knees ,
Just hurt like h .... getting up .,

 

[Texasmark]

I have a 1998.Toro 17-44 tractor, 3 blade deck, does nice mowing job , I keep blades sharp,
3 hours a week 6 months with Leaf mulching.
my Dad mowed for years, retired, had luxury of dry late afternoon mowing
Dry clean only , sealed deck bearings, Still like new .
Just lucky I guess, I use a stool to lean on to get up off of floor, Original knees ,
Just hurt like h .... getting up .,

On the getting up off the floor, I share your grief somewhat....don't have that much pain, just no strength in muscles I used to take for granted.....and having something to get my arms in the act really does help.