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I was just wondering what is the best way to access a deck to scrape and clean it ?

I was thinking of auto ramps, is there a better way without breaking the bank ?

Do you have a floor jack? That is the way we do most of them in the shop. I know it means laying on the ground, but getting back up is the hardest.

I can remove the deck from my 42" lawn tractor in under a minute and without tools so I simply remove my deck whenever I need to clean under it or change/sharpen blades.

Some people use an engine hoist to lift the back by the hole for the pin hitch or a chain around the front axles but with this method there is no safety in case the engine hoist piston decides to let go.

I have used a jack & jack stands in the past, same for automobiles.

I just make sure the mower is safe and lay down beside the deck with heavy gloves and scrape it out. Takes ten minutes. My arm is really green after that.

Rivets said:

Do you have a floor jack? That is the way we do most of them in the shop. I know it means laying on the ground, but getting back up is the hardest.

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What king of jack would be best ? I do not have one however it might be mor practical than buying car ramps.

I just have a good car jack which my son bought he at the local tractor supply store. Works great, minimum of 1 & 1/2ton, mine is 2 1/2 ton. Cost less that $60 on sale.

the way I've done it in the past is I pick up one side of the mower and tilt it over almost on its side and then clean I use 2 4x4's to hold it up

Lawnranger said:

I can remove the deck from my 42" lawn tractor in under a minute and without tools so I simply remove my deck whenever I need to clean under it or change/sharpen blades.

Some people use an engine hoist to lift the back by the hole for the pin hitch or a chain around the front axles but with this method there is no safety in case the engine hoist piston decides to let go. I have used a jack & jack stands in the past, same for automobiles.

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I use my engine hoist. You will have no obstruction under the machine and they fold up for storage.
I agree with the above statement about safety but a cheap and fool-proof addition can be used. You simply select a proper size pipe that is the same ID as the cylinder rod, split the proper length of pipe down the center to make two "C" shaped sections. I have hinged mine together but one pipe can be used if placed on top and use worm clamps to keep it in place. I always let off the hoist to hold the pipe in place and then pump back up until cylinder is thight but pipe is still held.:thumbsup:

If you haven't seen it already check the
How can you take off the blades on a ztr?

a lot of ideas there on removing blades, you could use the same for deck cleaning.

I use a come along thrown over the branch of a shade tree and the other hook hooked into the towing hole in the back of the mower. Gets it right up in the air with now strain or pain. Let me know how you make out. Gearjammer

One fellow claims he can take the deck off in under a minute to clean it. I wanna see that.

SeniorCitizen said:

One fellow claims he can take the deck off in under a minute to clean it. I wanna see that.

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Well, it could have been that the John Deere ride-over-quick-self-attaching-wierd-looking-thing-cutting deck that JD is selling...it only takes 10sec for the tractor to pick the deck up off the ground or drop it off...they claim? :smile:

I do have a WD-45 Allis I can hook the moldboard plow up to in less than a minute without leaving the seat. Try that with a 3 point implement.:laughing: