[Big Guy2]

I bought a new Cub (FMZ50) this summer. It came with the "patented Deck Wash system". I am disappointed with the results so far. I have run the water through the deck for up to 20 minutes after mowing, and it gets half clean at best.

The deck on my previous mower was VERY easy to remove, so I took it off every week and scraped it out by hand. The new deck is not so easy to remove, but the deck wash system is not getting it done for me.

So, I guess my question is, does anyone else clean their deck out this frequently (i.e., for homeowners, after every use)? And if so, do you pull the deck out and scrape every time? Is anyone satisfied with Cub's deck wash system?

Thanks.

 

[Wid LT1000]

Big Guy,

Welcome to MTF!

We've talked about this deck wash system before, so you should be able to find some good threads on it. If you can't find 'em, let me know and I'll dig them up.

I haven't used the deck wash system. My Cub dealer said it's more of a "fad" type thing. He says you need to use it after every cut, or it's useless - and can prematurely rust out the underside of the deck from soaked grass constantly under there.

I've recently removed my 54" deck, and it's a royal pain. And after only 20 or so hours, was a huge mess. And not so easy to remove/replace in my opinion - but I've only tried it once.

I'll probably try jack stands and the sense of "feel" underneath to clean it every month or so. And only drop it at the end of season for a complete cleaning and power wash.

Also, not sure if you have them or not, but your mandrels probably have grease fittings, so make sure you keep them nice and lubed.

 

[mikeshunk]

I just got a new 1050 with the deck wash system and tried it out after the first time I used the mower. I only ran the mower about 30 sec. on each side and it worked okay, but I have my doubts that I will use it again. I guess I am impatient! I can't sit there for the recommended 2 minutes per side like it says in the manual! Of course I don't clean the deck after every mowing. I figure I can pull the deck once a month or so and just scrape it like I would on my old Craftsman, and this deck is a lot easier to pull then that was.

You said you let it run for 20 minutes! Did you have the blades running the whole time? If not, that is probably why it didn't work like you wanted, or the grass was dry and caked on.

 

[Big Guy2]

Yes, the blades were running. And I did it immediately after mowing, so I don't think the grass was too dry.

I mow for about 3 hours, then hook up the hose right away. It just doesn't clean very well (IMO).

 

[davidg]

even on my Deere X500 the deck wash is a joke. i have found that in order for it to even 1/2 way work you have to clean the sprayer under the deck first, and most of the time the wash port on top has debris in it too. i just scrape mine out once every now and then, and don't worry about the wash system.

 

[JMoe]

Yep, we've been balking about the Cub deck wash system since it came out ~5rys ago. It's an absolutely ridiculous system that doesn't work and typically makes more of a mess than you started with. All the debris on TOP of the deck gets wet and you can picture the rest.........I tried mine once.:fing20:

Joel

 

[partlycloudy]

There's just no substitute for getting under the deck with a stick to scrape off the grass pancake.

I think the deck wash is not good for the machine - could end up with putting away a wet machine and water might find its way to places it shouldn't go easier.

 

[Crockett]

I just bought the Cub Cadet 1046VT and have only eleven hours on it thus far. I used the deck wash system once and the underside looks fairly clean. I ran the blades well past the two minute mark, then let the mower run with just the blades to help dry it off.

I try to mow when the grass is dry to avoid the clumping.

 

[Big Guy2]

We've talked about this deck wash system before, so you should be able to find some good threads on it. If you can't find 'em, let me know and I'll dig them up.

Thanks, I did find several good threads using the Search menu. Seems like the deck wash system is OK for ideal conditions (dry grass, light mowing), but it won't clean out larger clumps. I guess I'll take the deck off every week like I did on the old mower. Gives me some physical exercise after sitting for 3 hours.

I did read a good tip that bears repeating... One guy uses a plastic ice scraper to avoid scratching the deck. That's a great idea... I have always used an old broken hoe. (I think there's a joke in there somewhere.)

 

[savageactor7]

Big Guy2 if you require a clean/clean under deck for maximum discharge throw don't waste you time.

You're better off taking off the deck and scraping. When I can I hover the left side of the deck over a puddle and shave off some water.

Those high lift blades clean the deck out thoroughly.

 

[Brett-JDX748]

I've come to the conclusion all deck wash systems are useless. Nothing beats the old stick scraping method!

 

[Bolens 1000]

I've come to the conclusion all deck wash systems are useless. Nothing beats the old stick scraping method!

I agree 100%:fing32:

 

[Toolin]

I clean the deck about every 3rd mow, which winds up being about every 2 weeks. Here's my thread about stripping, painting, and then how gunked up my deck gets after mowing and my subsequent process of cleaning the deck.

I've tried using the deck wash system (my 50" deck has 2 ports) and if the grass is already caked on it's worse than useless because not only does it not remove any grass, but it thoroughly moistens it so it can go through a second rot cycle, stinking up whatever space you store the mower in and accelerating rust.

If you remove and thoroughly scrape/scrub/wash the deck, then mow with it, then use the washout ports immediately after, you at least stand a chance. But I've done this a few times now and still not had very good results.

 

[gwdave1997]

I think I remember someone stating that if you lower the deck all the way down it works better. I have tried that with my 1045, and it works better for me. I use it every time I do the lawn, then run the mower for a couple of minutes to dry it out, I don't see any rust under there........

 

[Big Guy2]

Toolin - thanks for the link. That was an incredible project. Too bad the paint didn't work more like Teflan. Sounds like your experience with the deck wash system matches mine.

GWDave1997 - I'm glad the system is working for some people. I have tried lowering the deck all the way down. I also read a tip about cleaning off the washout nozzles by hand before using it. Still no luck for me. I kind of think I am mowing too many weeds, occasional black dirt, etc. for the deck wash to work for me. Maybe you are mowing a weed-free, well maintained lawn? Just pure, dry grass? Anyway, the deck wash does seem to work for some.

 

[Thunder Dump]

My Deck Wash System works great. I do 2 minutes a side, then 30 seconds for a little dry time and other than green color staining on the bottom of the deck I have zero stuck-on/dried-on grass.

 

[Brett-JDX748]

No way.... I don't buy it... Take the deck off and flip it and show us photos!

 

[Renster of N.H.]

Big Guy,

Joel (JMOE) and I can relate to each other as we have similar Cubs (Joel has the 2544, I the 2542). So, I pretty much agree with Joel's sentiment - the deck wash system is a useless gimick that is more hassle than it's worth. I myself simply removed my deck after a few mowings and used a small plastic windshield ice scraper to clean the deck. (a proceedure I've been doing for years on my RER) Now, that being said, one of the reasons I bought a "smallish" deck is for the ease of which it comes off and handles thereafter. I'm sure Joel would agree that the 42-44 inch deck is VERY manageable to remove and handle once off. But it seems that you may have a 50 inch deck? I'll bet yours is significantly heavier than mine. That may translate to a deck thats somewhat harder to remove and man-handle around once off.
My opinion is that I'll likely remove my deck about once a month, and scrape it the way I always have done. As I pointed out, my small 42 incher comes off very easy and handles very easily once off. For me, once a month will be good enough. After all, we all try to keep the dirty side down, and I expect the underside of the deck to get dirty. As far as the deckwash is concerned, I have no intentions of ever utilizing it. I wish I could give you better suggestions, as I'm sure your deck is harder to handle than mine. I believe that in the end you will likely go about cleaning your deck the old fashioned way.
Renster

 

[shadow1961]

To anybody who says that the deck wash systems work :lalala:

I've never had one that worked. For my old gravely I bought those cheap little clamp on devices and ran my well dry trying to clean the deck. Just get over it and scrape it. Bad as I hate to say so :fing20:

 

[woodsman23]

I drive mine up on some ramps attached to the back of the tailgate on the pickup, drive up just until the back tires are at the bottom of the ramps. Then i get out the ole power washer and have at it. Comes clean as a whistle in minutes.
deck wash,mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm:eck16: