What? No water? Jackl?

[Guest]

Jackl - In your "cleaning the cooling fins" post you caution to never use water to clean your tractor. Could you elaborate a bit for us new guys? I have been told to 1)use water to clean but run mower deck after cleaning to force water out of bearings, 2)use water but only after tractor has cooled, 3)run water under deck with blades going to clean out deck, etc. What the real scoop? thanks!

[Fred 1]

I couldn't of said it better about using water to clean the deck as it can like dlc said cause just another cemical reaction if not totally cleaned and the deck not getting enough air to dry it. Now this is not to say not to use water to clean the under side of the deck if you can totally remove all of the grass and let the deck completely try. Some times I will pull the deck off and scrap all of the grass from the deck and do a total check of everything-blades-bearings-belts-ect. and then spray the underside of the deck with something like WD-40. DLC is write about the bearings also regarding the deck plus getting water up under the inspection covers were little if any air can try it out and then the covers and deck start rusting away. But not only the deck but getting water into all of the area's that have to be lubericated also as water is just going to contaminate the grease let alone get into the bearings that are not sealed. As for the engine yes you can use water to clean it when cooled but you take the chance of forceing the dirt and grass deeper into the area's that you are trying to keep clean for better cooling. I truely beleive that this maybe what caused the grass and dirt to be so compacted in my flywheel fins as I had loaned my tractor to a friend and he let me know how well it cleans up with some soap and water. Example when you hose down a driveway that has fresh grass on it does it not pile up rather then just running off the cement. The same seems to be true with wet grass on an engine as it seems to get packed into area's rather then actually being washed clear. At least with air the grass and dirt stay dry and have a better chance of being blown out of the same area's. Now please understand that this is just my opion and I am not claiming to be correct on all or any of this information. But I have had my tractor for about 17 years now and I have learned from others opions and my mistakes. Please anyone else that can add or correct me do so as this is how we all learn. Thanks again and the best to you->jackl-happyjack<-

[Fred 1]

Ah...to use water or not to clean deck that is the question! 1) If bearings are ruined because water got in them that'll cost about $60[in parts only!] to fix. 2) if deck is rotted through because acid in stuck on grass ruined it...to fix that would be $400 for a new deck skin[labor not inncluded to change parts over!] My friend Jack is probably right,compressed air and a putty knife is probably your best approach. BTW some decks such as Bolens,Jacobsen and others have a built in water inlet to attach a garden hose to clean your deck! dlc