Lawn mower cleaning underside. How to Clean & Maintain Your Husqvarna Mower | Lawn Mower Servicing

How to Keep Grass from Sticking Under the Mower Deck?

This is such a common problem. Everyone who has ever mowed their lawn more than a few times has experienced grass sticking under the mower deck. It’s a pain in the butt, not just because it takes time to clean it off (especially if you let it dry on – boy that can be a nightmare), but also because if you don’t remove this build-up of clippings, it can have some pretty serious consequences for your mower and worsen its performance significantly.

But how do you keep grass from sticking under the mower deck? That’s the million-dollar question. There are a few different things you can try including adjusting your mowing habits, and coating the underside of the deck with a few different substances such as cooking spray or a product like Fluid Film.

Which one works best? – I’ll discuss my favorite method in this post. But first things first – why is the grass that sticks to your mower’s undercarriage so bad?!

Why You Need to Prevent Grass Build-Up on the Underside of the Mower Deck

Keeping the mower deck clean and free of clippings is not something you just do for show. It’s not because you want your mower to “look its best” (you don’t actually ever see under the deck anyway unless you lift it up…). It’s important as the consequences of not doing so can be pretty serious. These include:

Chutes Becoming Blocked

The build-up of clippings will eventually start to narrow the openings to the grass catcher and the discharge chute, which in turn will cause more clumping and more build-up on the undercarriage. It’s the definition of a vicious circle. Bad for your mower and bad for your lawn, as clumps that are left behind can promote the growth of things like lawn fungus.

Deck Becoming Corroded

Wet grass stuck to a metal deck for long periods of time is a recipe for disaster, and can result in the deck corroding. If that happens, you’re in a tricky situation. You may well have to get a new mower. Another rather unpleasant side-effect of a mower deck coated in wet clippings is mold and mildew. And that stinks when it’s left to fester in a garage or shed. Trust me!

Strain on Your Mower

Your mower won’t be anywhere near as efficient if airflow is reduced and the exit chutes are blocked, which forces it to work harder and harder to try and deliver the cut. This is not good for your mower, especially the motor, and can reduce its lifespan significantly.

Increased Fuel Consumption

The added strain placed on the mower will usually also result in it using more fuel to mow the same amount of lawn. So not only are these clippings shortening your mower’s lifespan, they’re costing you more in fuel too!

Poor Performance

Last but not least, the mower that you once respected so greatly for the job that it did is now barely scraping a C-. What is happening.

We know the problem, so let’s now FOCUS on how to prevent grass from sticking under the mower deck.

A Few Adjustments that Can Reduce Grass Sticking Under the Mower Deck

The first thing that I’d recommend you do is make the following adjustments. Now, these aren’t going to eliminate the grass build-up altogether, but they can definitely help to reduce it. And they’re easy to implement. So why not do it?!

Mow When It’s Dry

Now, this might sound pretty darn obvious, but you’d be surprised at just how many people don’t connect the dots. Mowing wet grass always leads to more clippings sticking to the mower deck. Wet grass = sticky grass. Just by only mowing when it’s dry, you can reduce the amount of build-up you see under the deck by quite a bit.

Cut Often

Little and often is the absolute key when it comes to mowing. If you let your grass grow too much, the clippings are much longer and there’s more chance of clumping and build-up under the deck. There are soooo many benefits to keeping on top of your mowing, and this is another one.

Keep Your Mower in Good Condition

Another kind of obvious point. None of this is rocket science. If your mower is only working at 50% of its capacity, and is struggling to eject the clippings out from the deck once they’ve been cut, they’re more likely to stick to it. So by keeping your mower in tip-top condition you can lessen the chances of this. Regularly check that the air filter is clean and not clogged, and check oil and gas levels.

Now that we’ve covered a few basic adjustments, it’s time to talk about products you can use to help stop grass from sticking under the mower deck.

How to Stop Grass from Sticking Under the Mower Deck: Some Coatings You Can Apply

One thing that needs mentioning before we get to discussing the potential solutions that I’m going to share is that the deck must be clean before attempting to coat it in any of these substances. Applying them to a deck that is already coated in clippings will have no impact at all. So don’t waste your time and money by doing that. Fully clean the underside of your deck first so that there are no clippings whatsoever. Obviously, if your mower is new you can ignore this.

Just to be clear, I’m yet to find a product that will 100% prevent grass from sticking to the underside of a deck. Some grass varieties are also worse than others for this problem. But here’s a few things that I have personally found to be worth trying:

Non-Stick Cooking Spray/Vegetable Oil

This is a very cheap and easy solution to try, since you probably already have some at home. I’ve found that it helps to reduce the amount of clippings that stick quite significantly, although it’s a short-term solution. You’ll need to apply it regularly to see these benefits. Some people will probably tell you to use WD40 or used engine oil, which both have a similar effect, but if they get on the lawn they can be very harmful to it, which is why I prefer cooking spray/oil (I like Pam oil).

Fluid Film

I use Fluid Film now and it does a pretty good job. Again, it doesn’t eliminate build-up completely, but it definitely helps to reduce it, so you don’t need to do a full clean quite so often (although I have to say, I’m a big fan of giving the deck a quick wash after every mow – don’t give the clippings a chance to dry out).

It also protects your deck from rusting, so you get two benefits for the price of one. It’s not the cheapest solution to this problem, but the best option is not always the cheapest…

DuPont Non-Stick Spray

This is not a product that I’ve personally used but it’s something that I’ve heard good things about and it has good ratings. It applies a non-stick dry-film Teflon coating to the surface underneath your mower deck to prevent clippings from accumulating. It’s been on my list of “need to try” items for a while. If you get around to using it before me, let me know!

Final Thoughts: There’s No Solution that’s 100% Effective

The build-up of grass clippings on the underside of a mower deck is a necessary evil. Whatever you do, you’re going to get some sort of build-up on the deck (I hope I’m not bursting anyone’s bubble…). BUT…you can reduce that build-up significantly by following the tips we’ve discussed above (I’d go for Fluid Film the mowing adjustments mentioned). And that makes it much easier when you clean the deck – there won’t be anywhere near as much caked on, and it’s going to help keep your deck in much better condition for longer.

About Tom Greene

I’ve always had a keen interest in lawn care as long as I can remember. Friends used to call me the lawn mower guru (hence the site name), but I’m anything but. I just enjoy cutting my lawn and spending time outdoors. I also love the well-deserved doughnuts and coffee afterward!

Комментарии и мнения владельцев

Thanks, Tom for the information. Do you have any other hints as to how to keep the underside of the mower clear and clean?

Hi Douglas, There are really lots of things you could use to keep the grass from sticking to your deck and keep it clean. Products with Teflon, silicone, and PTFE seem to work very well at stopping the grass from sticking. Just be careful that whatever you use isn’t going to harm your grass or cause any issue to the lawn mower. Cheers, Tom.

Tom, what is your opinion on washing the underside of the deck with the hose nozzle or a pressure cleaner? I used to do this after every mowing on a Kubota ZT mower I had. After failing bearings on two occasions the dealer told me I was injecting water into the bearing compartments (they claimed they found rust in them). I now own a newer version of the same Kubota mower and avoid using water. I spray the deck before mowing with WD-40 or other products, then I scrape off the deck underside after mowing with a metal blade. This is quite tedious and takes a long time, especially this time of year when grass is very thick and grows fast. I’d like to go back to at least limited washing of the deck. What do you say?

Hi Jon, Well, I would have to see it with my own eyes to believe it. I would think it would be more likely that the spindles and bearing were low on grease resulting in excessive wear. Kubota states that their ZT mowers should have their deck spindles greased every 50hs, so if this schedule wasn’t adhered to, then I could understand why there would be a problem. Now, yes, you could jet water between the spindle housing and the spindles if you sprayed in the right spot for long enough. But would this really be enough to cause a mechanical failure? Maybe, I guess. If it were me, I would continue washing the underside of my deck and just avoid directly washing the spindle with a power washer and use WD-40 just as you do. After all, lawn mower decks come into contact with water all the time, plus the blade is spinning at over 200mph. So I’m guessing the water is coming into contact with the spindle at a pretty fast pace, even without washing. The only extra thing I do is run my blades for a minute or two once I have finished washing. This gets rid of any water in places where it shouldn’t be. Plus, I dry my lawn mower off with a leaf blower. I hope this helps. Tom.

Lawn mower cleaning underside

Whether it’s a petrol mower, a battery-powered mower or a robot lawn mower, keeping them in the best condition possible will ensure they perform their very best for years to come. In this guide, we will look at how to clean and maintain the 3 most commonly owned types of lawn mowers, so that you can enjoy trouble-free mowing!

Signs your mower needs servicing

When your mower is working as it should, it’s all too easy to skip its annual servicing. Postponing by a few weeks won’t be an issue, but annual mower servicing is something you want to remember to do for one good reason. it keeps your mower in the best working condition possible, saving you time and money on spares and repairs down the road.

How often your mower needs servicing can be found in the user manual for your model. However, there are times when your mower may need an early service, especially if you are noticing any of the following:

• Your lawn mower is having difficulty starting.
• Your mower is making loud knocking or rattling sounds.
• There’s smoke coming from the mower.
• It shudders when mowing thick grass.
• There’s a high-pitch whining sound when starting.
• There are more vibrations than usual.
• The mower is giving an uneven cut.

The easy way to clean a petrol lawn mower

The way you clean your mower will largely depend on the power supply and the type of mower you have. For the most part, electric and petrol push mowers follow the same types of cleaning with a few apparent differences such as petrol, oil, and fuel filters. For simplicity, we’ll look at each of the basic steps to cleaning a lawn mower, going deeper into the different steps when needed.

• Place your mower on a level and secure surface such as a driveway or patio. If the mower is not on a flat surface, you run the risk of it tipping over as you work on it, which could cause injury.
• If your mower has a grass catcher, remove it and close the discharge flap to prevent any grass or debris from being pushed back inside during cleaning.
• To access the underside of your mower’s deck, always tip your mower backwards towards the handles, never to its side. This will prevent oil and any fuel that may still be in the engine from seeping into places it shouldn’t.
• Inspect the underside of the mower for any dried grass clippings that have built up. It is also a good idea to check the condition of the blades. Even if there is a small amount of debris on the mower deck, then you’ll want to give it a wash while you have easy access to it.
• Most walk-behind mowers come with a fitting to attach a garden hose to flush the deck. If not, you’ll want to turn your mower on its side and use gloved hands to remove the bulk of any grass, dirt, and debris.
• If your mower has a Hose fitting, turn the hose on, and then start the mower and let it run, allowing the water supply to clean the underside. After a few minutes, turn off the water and check the underside. Don’t turn on the mower if you have to have it on its side to clean the blades.
• Repeat the process if there is any debris remaining. It’s often a good idea to complete this cleaning task after each use before the grass clippings have a chance to dry and harden.
• Should the lawn mower’s blades be a little blunt, then it might be time to replace them. Husqvarna does not recommend sharpening the blades on your mower. Check out Husqvarna’s Lawn Mower Blade Replacement Guide for an in-depth look at how to change the blades.
• Keep the air filter clean by removing it and giving it a blast with some compressed air (never use liquid to clean your air filter!).
• Also, check and replace the spark plugs. You’ll likely need to change the spark plugs every year or two, depending on use.

How to quickly clean a battery lawn mower

While many of the mower cleaning techniques will be similar between petrol and battery models, there are a few differences to be aware of. Here’s how to safely clean down your battery-powered lawn mower.

• Place your lawn mower on a solid and level surface, turning it onto its side to access the cutting deck.
• Make sure the battery has been removed to prevent any accidental starts.
• Using a gloved hand or a washing-up brush, run around the underside of the cutting deck to remove the bulk of the dry grass and debris.
• For hard-to-reach areas, use compressed air to remove any debris. DO NOT use water on a battery mower. especially from a hose or pressure washer.
• To clean the chassis and cutting deck, take a damp cloth and wipe everything down.
• Clean the blades with an old toothbrush or hard bristle brush. If the blades are showing signs of damage, it may be time to replace them.
• Allow everything to dry properly before replacing the battery.
• To clean the battery, use a dry microfiber cloth to wipe down all surfaces and connection points. the same with the charger.

How to clean Husqvarna Automower®

It is highly recommended to have Automower® professionally serviced and cleaned at your local Husqvarna dealer at the end of every season. In between professional servicing, you can give Automower® a bit of TLC as and when you want.

Taking just 10-minutes of your time, Automower® is easy to keep in tip-top condition. It’s important to note that you should never wash a robot or battery-powered mower with a pressure washer, running water or solvents. While designed to deal with surface water and rain, pressurised cleaning could force water into the electrics. which isn’t something you want to do.

Regular annual servicing not only enables Automower® to work its best but also maintains the mower warranty.

• Begin by turning the main power switch to off.
• Put on a pair of protective gloves to prevent any accidental injuries.
• Place Automower® upside down, preferably on a sheet on a level surface.
• Remove the bulk of any clippings and dirt using your fingertips.
• Take an old toothbrush and gently clean the wheels, skid plate, body, etc.
• Return Automower® to its original position, gently shaking out any debris.
• Wipe down the chassis and all external body parts with a damp cloth.
• Dry everything off with a microfibre cloth when done.
• Turn on the main power switch and Automower® is good to go.

Ride-On/Zero-Turn/Garden Tractor

Husqvarna’s range of Ride-On Front Mowers, Zero-Turn Mowers and Garden Tractors all have different servicing needs, and it’s recommended you leave the bulk of the servicing and maintenance to a professional. However, there are a few things that you can do on a regular basis to keep your mower in good condition.

For mowers with inflatable tyres, make sure the pressure is kept at 16psi at all times. Checking them before use is a good routine to keep. Check the air intake valve before use and give it a clean out if it appears to be clogged; debris in the air intake can lead to an overheating engine which can cause serious damage. Check the mower’s fluid levels before use each time. This includes oil levels, the hydraulic reservoir and radiator fluid. Top up any fluids that are low.

Check the air filter regularly. If it’s noticeably dirty or the dust load indicator has turned red, you’ll need to replace it, as a dirty air filter can lead to serious damage. Ensure the fuel filter is replaced after 800 hours of operation (at most). If you’re noticing the engine stuttering or if the fuel supply seems to be an issue, it’s a good idea to change the filter sooner.

The Husqvarna Dealer Advantage

When it comes to keeping your lawn mower in top condition, regardless of what kind you have, taking advantage of your local Husqvarna dealer’s experience and services is your best course of action.

Contact your local Husqvarna dealer to find out how using Husqvarna products and dealer services can improve your productivity around the garden.

How to Clean the Bottom of a Lawnmower

Cleaning debris and grass clippings from the bottom of a lawn mower deck after each use is a crucial step in maintenance. Mowing when grass is wet from dew or rainfall allows it to stick to the underside of a mower deck above and around the blades. Thick debris prevents blades from turning as they should and decreases the airflow from underneath needed for cooling purposes. Wet grass clippings hold moisture within the deck and cause rust to form. However, it takes just a few minutes of cleaning after each mowing to protect your investment.

Push Lawn Mower

Turn the push lawn mower’s engine off, place it in a flat area of the lawn and allow it to cool.

Rotate the handle down so it is touching the ground. Place a cinder block or other heavy object on the center of the handle to keep the handle on the ground.

• Cleaning debris and grass clippings from the bottom of a lawn mower deck after each use is a crucial step in maintenance.
• Place a cinder block or other heavy object on the center of the handle to keep the handle on the ground.

Turn a garden hose nozzle to the strongest stream of water. Turn the hose on and spray the bottom of the lawn mower deck.

Remove any grass stuck to the deck with a plastic ice scraper and continue to spray water until all debris falls from the underside of the mower deck.

Allow the deck to dry completely. Once the deck has dried, spray a coating of aerosol silicone lubricant on the entire bottom deck surface.

Riding Lawn Mower

Turn the riding mower off and park it on a flat surface. Allow the engine to cool slightly.

• Turn a garden hose nozzle to the strongest stream of water.
• Turn the hose on and spray the bottom of the lawn mower deck.

Raise the deck to its highest setting. Pull the spark plug boot off the spark plug to disconnect the spark plug, which will prevent accidental starts.

Turn a garden hose nozzle to its strongest stream. Turn the hose on, squat next to the mower deck and direct the stream of water underneath to remove wet grass.

Scrape any excess debris off the mower deck with a plastic ice scraper and wash the remnants off with water.

Let the mower air-dry. Once the mower is dry, spray it with aerosol silicone lubricant on the underside. Replace the spark plug boot on the spark plug.

• Raise the deck to its highest setting.
• Turn the hose on, squat next to the mower deck and direct the stream of water underneath to remove wet grass.

Riding Lawn Mower With Washout Port

Remove the grass catcher and side discharge chute from your riding mower. Slide the mulch plug into the side discharge.

Drive the lawn mower to a flat, level area and turn the engine off. Lower the grass cut length to the shortest level.

Screw the male end of a garden hose to the washout port on the mower deck. Turn the water onto the maximum water flow.

Start the lawn mower engine and observe the debris flying out from under the deck. When no more debris comes out, stop the engine, disconnect the garden hose and run the engine another two or three minutes to complete the deck cleaning cycle.

• Remove the grass catcher and side discharge chute from your riding mower.
• Start the lawn mower engine and observe the debris flying out from under the deck.

Use plastic ice scrapers instead of metal paint scrapers, which can cut into the metal and eventually cause rust, which can develop into holes.

Damp grass clippings are easier to clean if you address them before they dry underneath the lawn mower.

Wear gloves during any work around the lawn mower blades to protect your hands.

What Is The Best Way To Clean A Lawn Mower? Helpful Tips For Gardeners

As an experienced gardener, you should always have your mower ready and sanitary for the next mowing season.

Without regular and proper maintenance, grass and debris will build up among different components and the engine, which causes overheating and destroys your machine.

What is the best way to clean a lawn mower? This article will recommend the practical method. Let’s read!

What Is The Best Way To Clean A Lawn Mower?

Using a powerful pressure washer is the most effective way to clean your lawn mower. However, it would be best to be careful when running this device through the engine and the deck, as high pressure may damage them.

If you opt for this method, below are simple steps to follow:

Remove Grass Clumps And Debris

Use a leaf blower to remove dust and debris. It’s best to perform this task in an open area. Also, ensure you use safety glasses as dirt may fly into your eyes.

Select Washing Method And Soap

Wait until the engine cools down completely before washing your machine.

You can consider adding soap to your pressure washer if it has a dispenser. Look for mower-friendly cleaning products to prevent potential harm.

Clean The Engine

Don’t use too much water for this part to avoid water entering the carburetor and harming it. If possible, try to maintain low pressure.

Clean The Deck

Be careful when cleaning this part with a pressure washer because sealed bearings can’t withstand high forces.

Rinse And Dry Your Machine

After cleaning with water and soap, rinse your mower thoroughly. Remember to dry it completely before using it again.

Add Lubricant

Applying lubricant to your machine is advisable to avoid erosion and rusting.

Tips for cleaning your machine

How Often Should You Clean A Lawn Mower?

Whether it’s a walk-behind or riding mower. you should clean it twice a year if you often mow short dry grass.

If you regularly cut the grass that develops well, cleaning your lawn mower 3 – 4 times per year is advisable.

On the other hand, if you use your machine in the rain or wet weather and often cut damp grass, it’s better to check and clean it regularly, especially for riding models.

Wet grass may form clumps below your mower’s deck, which affects the mowing efficiency.

over, wet conditions may encourage your grass yard to develop more quickly. As a result, you need to mow it more regularly.

The frequency you use your machine determines how often to clean it. Otherwise, the debris and grass clumps will cause the engine to be damaged.

If you often cut long grass, you should check your mower deck after each mow to remove stuck clumps.

The frequency of cleaning

Should You Clean The Underside Of A Lawn Mower?

The answer is yes! It’s essential to clean the underside or deck of your lawn mower.

Grass clippings can adhere to the deck and wheels. When they accumulate too much, they will turn the blade away, which results in untidy grass.

The blade will shed the grass and destroy your yard if that’s the case. If you often mow wet grass, it’s much worse. Damp clippings form quickly, encouraging them to accumulate inside the deck more quickly.

As a result, it creates the ideal moisture retention environment, leading to rust. over, the bottom of the deck may spread infectious fungus to your yard due to stuck clippings inside.

Always keep the underside of your machine clean and buildup-free to prevent damage to your lawn.

How Do I Make My Mower Deck Non-Stick?

If you notice grass sticks to the deck after each mow, applying the following method is best to prevent this issue.

Clean The Deck

You must clean the deck of your mower if the grass covers it. Switch off the engine and take out the spark lock before carefully lifting and turning your machine on one side.

Remove the grass clippings inside and around the mower deck with a plastic scraper. It would be best to utilize a powerful air compressor to treat stubborn clumps. Avoid using water to clean the deck, as it may cause rusting.

Use Vegetable Oil

Vegetable oil essentially acts as a lubricant. When you use it on the deck, it will leave a nonstick layer to prevent grass accumulation.

Mow Dry Grass

Cutting wet grass causes more clippings, and they will stick to the deck. Therefore, you should mow the dry lawn to lessen the buildup of debris underneath your machine’s bottom.

Maintain Your Machine Regularly

After treating a protective coat, you must always keep your mower in good condition.

Keep the deck dry, avoid moisture buildup, and prevent water from metal parts to increase the shelf life of the coating.

If you are a novice gardener, you can watch this video to have more guides to maintain your machine:

What Can I Spray On My Mower Deck To Keep Grass From Sticking?

If grass still sticks to your mower deck after you’ve tried some ways, let’s consider the following spray.

Fluid Film

It’s worth noting that this spray won’t obliterate all buildup, but it can help you reduce this bad situation.

Furthermore, the fluid film is a cheap solution to create extra protection for the deck against rust.

DuPont Teflon Non-Stick Spray

It’s one of the most effective products to prevent grass from sticking to your mower deck.

After application, it creates a dry-film layer on the surface under the deck to keep grass clipping from building up.

Non-Stick Cooking Spray

You can try this solution because it’s relatively affordable and easy to follow.

Although it’s only a temporary fix, this spray dramatically lowers the number of cuttings that stick.

Some people use engine oil. but it is harmful to your grass. Instead, utilize cooking oil regularly to see the results.

What Can I Use To Clean My Lawn Mower Blades?

Grass clumps may cause your mower blades to be dull, which makes them cut unevenly, even if the edges are relatively sharp.

As a result, your lawn will look shaggy and unkempt even when you try to mow again and again.

Additionally, grass and debris can collect moisture, causing corrosion that might erode the blades.

The essential thing to remember is that grimy mower blades might contain germs and other microbes that can harm grass.

For all these reasons, you can use a powerful garden hose to remove dirt and grass clumps after mowing.

Besides, you can sanitize the blades with an all-purpose cleaner or household disinfectant products.

Tips for cleaning the blades

In A Nutshell

What is the best way to clean a lawn mower? It’s to use a powerful pressure washer to blow away grass clumps and debris.

However, be careful when washing the engine and deck since these parts can’t withstand high pressure.

If you still have questions about this topic, feel free to comment below.