Ed Kennell 35,626 #1 Posted August 25, 2018 After weeks of mowing wet grass, this is what I found under the RD. Tuned up the blades while I had the deck off. 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SylvanLakeWH 24,093 #2 Posted August 25, 2018 I like your tune up method! Way less hassle for a simple dimple and burr removal mid season! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 38,848 #3 Posted August 25, 2018 Even worse on recycler's but I wouldn't trade it for anything! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
peter lena 8,038 #4 Posted August 25, 2018 hi ed, that first picture says it all, after scraping mine down, leaving it on the same bottoms up angle to the sun , I spray mine down with chain and cable fluid, it soaks into the warm metal and STOPS CORROSION . I do that every time I drop and inspect the deck , also do it after cutting season. clean it down , grease and inspect ,sharpen blades / belts, and oil spray it down and leave it upside down over winter. what a concept, imagine stopping corrosion with an oil soak , the deck has no crud under it for months, and its totally soaking in the lubrication. my decks are over 30 years old with regular cleaning and oil soaking the bottom, thanks for the good pictures and the opportunity to share my similar maintenance ritual , pete 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveoman1966 3,586 #5 Posted August 26, 2018 Grass clippings are highly acidic and will eat up the deck shell in a short time. Decks should be flushed out simply with garden hose to reduce the corroding effect of the grass. What's more, the clippings are even WORSE on the pot-metal spindle housings. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,626 #6 Posted August 26, 2018 5 hours ago, daveoman1966 said: Grass clippings are highly acidic and will eat up the deck shell in a short time. Decks should be flushed out simply with garden hose to reduce the corroding effect of the grass. What's more, the clippings are even WORSE on the pot-metal spindle housings. I am always amazed when I find these pot metal spindle housings with one side completely missing. It seems there is a pattern to the missing metal. In addition to the chemical corrosion due to the acidic grass, could there be some kind of erosion caused by the spinning blades? Cavitation, Electrostatic, Galvanic Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,462 #7 Posted August 26, 2018 The cast aluminum housings are highly prone to electrolysis, especially when you introduce wet grass and it's acids. I have yet to find a way to stop them from corroding into nothing, not even blasting them dead clean and using an aircraft etching primer and stainless steel paint has worked. One idea I've tossed around is an epoxy finish - that might seal them enough to stop the reaction. Spinning metal shaft mounted in a cast aluminum housing, along with a steel deck is a recipe for a problem, WH is not the only one with this issue either. Sarge 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 36,943 #8 Posted August 26, 2018 I coated the underside with Eastwoods ceramic engine paint...the AMC blue you see in this pict. Got two seasons out of this application, before my last cleaning revealed it needed to be done again. Looks like it did a pretty good job of slowing down the spindle decay. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tankman 3,515 #9 Posted August 26, 2018 (edited) My decks off every fall. Then up on a platform, cleaned ‘n painted. Blades sharp, new belt if needed. All my hardware 316 SS & Never-Seez. Use Huskee Kevlar belts, green = oil resistant. Off the shelf at Tractor Supply. Have seen too many spindle housings gone from corrosion. Edited August 26, 2018 by Tankman 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
