Moisture+Metal=Bad

If you bought a decent tractor you shouldn't get much buildup under the deck (unless you are mowing weeds). Most decks are designed pretty well to minimize buildup. Just check it the first few mowings to see if there is buildup in any areas. Buildup can be easily removed with a putty knife.

By the way, read the owners manual and follow the routine maintenance schedule and you should be fine (I just had to).

You should not hose out the mower deck after each use.Water gets in behind the grass munure and creates rust.

There are products you can buy to treat the mowerer deck.That supposibly help keep the grass from sticking.I have tried Slick plate.Its a graphite based paint.It did not help much if at all.

The best way to care for the mower deck.Is to remove it and scrape the grass out.I use a ice scraper like used on a car windshield.But sometimes you still have to use a metal objects like a putty knife.Just becareful not to scratch up the surface to much.

During the wet season even when the grass feels dry.It still makes a wet grass mess under there.The water is in the grass blades.Because of this I remove the deck a few times a season.I stand the deck up clean as much by hand as I can.I then use a pressure washer and clean it well.Being careful not to direct the stream toward the bearings.This is also the time when I sharpen and balance my blades.After its all dry you could and I do apply some primer paint followed by Slick Plate both for rust prevention and to perhaps slow the sticking.

I remove my mower decks often.That is why I went with lawn tractors that have a fast removel and reinstall set up.Rather then pins to loose and belt pulleys to pinch my fingers.If its easy to remove you will do it.If its not you will try to just clean the best you can with it attached.I hope yours is the easy to remove type?

The tractor I use my leaf blower or Compressed air.To blow the complete tractor off after each use.Blowing air to clean the grass and dirt away from the Hydro fins and fan will keep the hydro running cool.A cool hydro is a happy hydro.Same with the engine.Complete tractor and top of deck.

Changing the oil and filter and keeping the air filter clean is a must.

Make sure to grease all the grease fittings often both the tractor and deck.A little grease often is better then to much to seldom.The tractor and deck will thankyou for it.Because if you over grease you risk damaging a seal.If you grease a little more sparingly you will not damage a bearing and will not make a mess and doing it often every thing has grease all the time.

The best way to protect it is to keep it inside after each use.In a nice dry area.Rather then outside under a tarp.

Quote:
...should you hose out the mower deck after each use or are you better off not forcing any more moisture under the mower than it naturally attracts?
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IMO, the deck should be washed. A clean deck will dry fast, especially if you run the blades a minute or 2 after washing. Wet grass stuck to the underside of a deck stays wet forever, and WILL rust.

Thanks for the replies. This is exactly the type of thing I was looking for. I understand both sides of the mower deck washing debate. I had a kubota with a 60 inch deck a while back that I had purchased used. The underside of that deck would get caked up pretty badly. The paint was long gone. I tried all sorts of things to try to minimze the build up. I suspected these little guys have similar issues. I am curious as to whether anyone has any success stories about keeping things clean and dry over time. I like the idea of washing it out but do worry about rusting the parts you can't adequately dry.

..thanks again for the input.

With the mower deck off after cleaning washing it out.You can blow off as much water as possible with compressed air or leaf blower.Move the deck to a dry area with sun allow it to dry.When you reassemble the deck on tractor.Run the blades to help force out any remaining water.

Its ussually hot summer when I do it.At the end of the season I do not pressure wash just scrape clean.Because moisture could stick around plus it will be sitting.

What about Rhino Liner for the bottom of the deck?