Let me cut to the chase and just tell you to do whatever YOU feel is best. That's the draw of this forum...lots of opinions.

Pressure washing is a great way to force water past seals and into bearings and electrical connectors and lots of other places where you don't want water to be. It also can cause problems with belts if they are hot when you hose them down. Whenever I feel that I absolutely must wash mine, I do it before I cut the grass, so it will have 2 hours to "dry out" while I'm using it. For after mowing clean-up, I use the leaf blower or air compressor.
FWIW, I've seen pressure washing do more damage to ATV's than running them for 4 hours in 3 foot deep water.

We use oxyboost oxygen bleach and a stiff broom as an alternative. Light pressure should be Ok

oops, wrong deck. zzzzz

Many people believe that compressed air is the safest way to clean an LT or GT. I use a well squeezed sponge when a more thorough cleaning is needed. I'm careful not to wet bearings and electrical components.

-Deerslayer

Will not hurt a thing.We pressure wash $280.000 combines with many bearings and electrical components.Tell your neighbor to Chill out.

My guess is those combines are put together a tad bit better than most of our riders are, but it's just a guess. :)

I agree with JD pressure washing won't hurt a thing as long you keep the strong blast setting from directly spraying the sealed bearings, elect conponents, and wiring.

Blasting the metal parts and blowing or wiping off the excess water, then settting it out in the sun to dry.. I also start it up and run the deck to further blow air moisture out. then. I lubrcate it.

Should be fine to pressure wash. Use common sense though, dont aim the blast into the air intake for example.
You'll find most professional service places pressure wash equipment, from $100 mowers to $500,000 ag equip

The less water U put on these things, the better off U'll
be in the long run, sometimes U just have to do it, but
keep it to a bare minimum and blow it off after Ur thru..
I'd avoid a pressure washer like the plague, to much
chance of blowing water past seals, into electrical
components, etc... I've seen enough damage to these
machines directly attributable to the use of water over
the last 40-50 yrs to make me a believer.. I'm a firm
believer in compressed air for the after mowing clean-up,
wash it every 5 years maybe...
Paul R...

I have a pressure washer and I won't use it on my LT or on my car for that matter. They are fine for some things like driveways etc. I guess you can turn the pressure way down , but why not just use a hose & nozzle then ?.

I use my leaf blower to air clean the GX345 every time I'm done cutting the lawn. Washing really depends on the robustness of the tractor. I personally wouldn't pressure wash an entry level model for obvious reasons.

-gh

Yah, it's always best to drive fine dust and dirt into bearings and moving parts with compressed air. Just ask the manufacturers of helicopters and tanks for desert service. The dust has the added advantage of polishing the bearing surfaces to a bright shine. Sheesh!

One just needs to use common sense when washing outdoor equipment. A high pressure washer can strip off paint and decals so you don't want to get too close, and directing the high pressure spray directly at seals and into exhaust systems doesn't make sense either. What's wrong with just using a sponge and a garden hose / nozzle setup? Seals and shields are designed to keep water out, that's why they're there. I you live in a naturlly humid area, you need to get it dry before storage. Here in Colorado we don't, it just dries off rapidly. Driving around a dirty, dusty piece of equipment because of a water phobia just doesn't make sense, to me anyway. How can you be proud to ride something like that around. Car washes don't use compressed air. Can't remember seeing one of those that do anyway, but I suppose could happen if there's a big enough demand. LOL (waiting for the next time this thread pops up again....and again....and again....)

I would definitely avoid a pressure washer, unless you are trying to stain a deck. If your tractor is so dirty that it takes 1500 psi water to clean it, you are probably using it for things it was not designed for. P.S. I won't use a pressure washer on a car either.

I use a 1100psi portable electric pressure washer for:
House (vinyl siding) - 16 Years no problems
Trex Deck - 5 years no problems
Weber 1500 gas grill, must be 10years now, no problems
1990 Mustang 5.0 LX exterior and engine 13 years of service (200,000mi) no problems
1995 Explorer exterior and engine 12 years (165,000mi) no problems
2003 Mustang GT Convertible exterior and engine 4 years(75,000 mi) no problems
2001 John Deere (for mow and snow) lt-133 exterior and engine 6 years no problems

My research is done, I'd recommend a less powerful unit like mine if the wife or older kids plan to use it.

Pretty sure most self service car washes use pressure spray that is similar or stronger that my portable unit.
I think the pressure washer uses less water than a regular hose.

I will pressure wash the deck once or twice a year, but only with it off, only with cold bearings, and only when I am going to fully grease the spindles.

Some points. Shields do not keep water out of bearings, and aren't designed to. Sealed bearings will keep out water when new, but even then will not stop water from entering as the bearing cools. Almost any bearing will pull in water (and dirt with it) as it cools, and the only way to get it out is to push it out with grease right away. The water will evaporate out when you run a long time, but it is usually too late.

I would not pressure wash around electrical connectors, ignition parts, starters, alternaters, etc. Same if you have plastic sleeve bearings, with no way to grease to push out water and dirt you push into them.

Which ever you do USE COMMON SENSE. Kinda like you're suppose to do when operating machinery of any kind. Myself, I blow the tractor and mower off after each use with compressed air, if I do have to pressure wash it I do it when the machine is completely cold, wipe it down good then blow it off with compressed air. I'll only wash the deck if it's off the tractor so that I can completely dry all the crooks and crannys. Works good for me.

It's currently 8 yeas and 5 nays and 3 non specific answers.

Yah, I find using a sponge and garden hose to remove debriss from the engine fins and electronics a really good idea. Sheesh... Just flood the engine compartment with water. Yep that will keep the tractor in great shape!

-gh

I will say that JD dealers sell a good share of idlers and deck spindles to the people with the L100 series tractors with low hours and the clean decks. Seen it time and again.

I pressure wash mine all the time and then keep it in the shed to keep it out of the rain.
If there is dust on it and I can't wash it I mow after dark so the neighbors won't talk.

I don't think anyone's responses above have advocated "flooding the engine compartment with water." Again, common sense. If you're content with trying to clean all that green muck out from under your deck with compressed air, go for it. And if you want to pull the deck after each mowing and scrape it out with a scraper or screwdriver, I say knock yourself out. Just don't try and convince me.

Shouldn't it be "aye" or "nay"? In any event, I say ney!!

No reason to , especially if you mow the grass when dry which should give no or minimal build up under the deck . Blow grass off with a leaf blower and hose off and wash painted surfaces with a soapy sponge like a car . Since paint on tractors is clearcoated and kept inside during bad weather no reason to wax either , but it couldn't hurt I guess .

well folks...opinions have been varied..from seemingly --are ya crazy to no problem...if I may clear a couple of things up though...no!!! I do not go near the electrical components...no I do not use full strength...yes I do use spray only...I do run it for 15 minutes after I pressure wash it, only after blow drying it completely...and I make sure that I do not go near any of the bearings...yes I have lost a decal or two...but then again decals are mainly for show..never touch the engine compartment with the sprayer...mainly spray wheels, under deck, top of deck ( after it has cooled down) and tires to get the dirt and little rocks that might get stuck in treads...mow that I mentioned this part..am I still crazy? aye matty or walk the plank you fool?