[Brian]

Well, the farm tractor (4110) has been negelcted this year and the lawn was cut when whomever had time, wet or dry. I have it scraped the deck down but there is still a thin layer of grass everywhere under it. Its not easy to scrape and it seems to do more harm than good by scratching the metal. I plan to paint the bottom once I get it clean. Any suggestions? I was thinking hot water and simple green?

 

[RonS]

I usually scrape mine as clean as possible and then give the entire underside a good spraying with Rust Check. Been doing this for years with good results for me.

 

[Dave T]

I usually scrape mine as clean as possible and then give the entire underside a good spraying with Rust Check. Been doing this for years with good results for me.

Interesting. I see that they have that Rust Check stuff at KMart here in the states. They seem to have a number of products. Can you post a link to the specific product that you recommend?

 

[jfoi]

ever try a graphite coating?

 

[Dave T]

ever try a graphite coating?

No, but when I pick mine up tomorrow, I'm going to talk to the dealer about the JD graphite coating.

 

[jfoi]

your dealer should have it there in quart size containers

 

[Brian]

I would like to try a lot of these things but I think the deck should be clean first......... I guess hot water and simple green is a good idea?

 

[ColonyPark]

No, but when I pick mine up tomorrow, I'm going to talk to the dealer about the JD graphite coating.

When I took delivery of the 1026R last week the dealer threw in 2 spray cans of the JD graphite coating. I am going to put it on the 7Iron come spring. My salesman really likes this product and uses it on the deck of his personal X740.

 

[8086Bruce]

I have never heard of that I'll have to pick some up for spring. Thanks!

 

[RandyM]

End of season cleaning.

As far as cleaning my decks, I pick them up with a chain and the loader and then pressure wash them completely clean. Works for me. I have given up on the coatings as you have to apply them continually through the mowing season. Even paint will not last a season. The last thing I have tried is the mulch kit was painted last year with POR15 paint. I will see how it stood up tomorrow. The problem is the underside of the deck takes such a blasting by the dirt. I is actually sandblasting the underside.

 

[Dave T]

When I took delivery of the 1026R last week the dealer threw in 2 spray cans of the JD graphite coating. I am going to put it on the 7Iron come spring. My salesman really likes this product and uses it on the deck of his personal X740.

Dealer said the graphite stuff works pretty good, but need to be re-coated every year... sometimes a couple of times if you mow a lot. I'm still undecided. I'm going to look around for a product that may hold up a little better than the JD stuff... that is if he is correct?

I didn't mow any grass with mine either, so I've got all winter to decide, and get whatever I'm going to use on the deck before spring.

 

[Dave T]

I have given up on the coatings as you have to apply them continually through the mowing season. Even paint will not last a season.

Yep, exactly what the dealer said to me. You would think that something would work?

 

[RandyM]

Yep, exactly what the dealer said to me. You would think that something would work?

Yes Dave, there is, it is called Stainless Steel. Problem is no one will want to pay for it. As far as coatings, it is only a dream. :laugh: And I am not one to commit to the time to clean and coat a deck continually throughout the season. I do clean it two to three times a year though, as I cannot allow the deck to build up with lots of grass. They mow too well when clean. :good2:

 

[jfoi]

idk its just one of things i think that just happen, the underside of the deck is going to get grass build up, i just clean it and mow and then i clean and mow

 

[DRobinson]

I mow about four acres. In a wet year like this year, I scrape and mow, scrape and mow... In a normal year, I start the year with a clean deck and sharp blades and then clean the deck and sharpen again on Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. Using the holidays as markers make it easier for an old guy to remember.

I agree with Randy; they mow so much better when the underside is clean and the blades are sharp.

 

[RonS]

Interesting. I see that they have that Rust Check stuff at KMart here in the states. They seem to have a number of products. Can you post a link to the specific product that you recommend?

http://www.rustcheck.com/products.asp

The one that I use is the Rust Inhibitor. I generally put this on at the end of the year after the deck has been scraped thoroughly. Then during the year I scrape most of the buildup off 3 - 4 times. My last lawn tractor was a 2000 Husky and the deck is still rock solid. Just a bit of surface rust where the plastic chute connects.

What I find is that it seems to "stick" pretty good. I had an '88 GMC that was treated by a dealer every year and I never replaced a fender. The spray can stuff is supposed to be the same thing.

Just my $.02 worth.

 

[Dave T]

http://www.rustcheck.com/products.asp

The one that I use is the Rust Inhibitor. I generally put this on at the end of the year after the deck has been scraped thoroughly. Then during the year I scrape most of the buildup off 3 - 4 times. My last lawn tractor was a 2000 Husky and the deck is still rock solid. Just a bit of surface rust where the plastic chute connects.

What I find is that it seems to "stick" pretty good. I had an '88 GMC that was treated by a dealer every year and I never replaced a fender. The spray can stuff is supposed to be the same thing.

Just my $.02 worth.

Thanks Ron. I might give that stuff a try. :good2:

 

[Brian]

I am going to try this also instead of washing the bottom of the deck. I assume that you spray this over the very thin layer of green that accumulates? With the aluminum parts under my Z920, I think this will help a lot!

 

[Scotty370]

First year I tried it...............

..............and don't have the results yet, because I havn't taken it off and 'flipped' the deck, but I used this in the Spring and it seem to be flowing grass pretty well........http://www.agspecialty.com/EZslide.htm We'll see. If it did well, I'll use it on the Snowblower.......~Scotty

 

[RandyM]

Seasons End Cleaning.

Well, here is how I clean my deck at the end of the year. Squeaky clean. Now comes blade sharpening, lubrication, and inspection.