I understand that the grass on the lawnmower corrode the metal.
Would hosing down the mower after every use, be bad idea. Or would
the overspray water create problems in the engine?

lbbss wrote:

I understand that the grass on the lawnmower corrode the metal.
Would hosing down the mower after every use, be bad idea. Or would
the overspray water create problems in the engine?

using a leaf blower is the least destructive.

Jim wrote:
lbbss wrote:
I understand that the grass on the lawnmower corrode the metal.
Would hosing down the mower after every use, be bad idea. Or would
the overspray water create problems in the engine?

using a leaf blower is the least destructive.

Never hose down a hot engine after use.
Engines don't like the quick uneven change in temps, causing stuff
internal or external to crack of snap.
Use the leaf blower.

usually wate 30min before I hose it down.

lbbss wrote:
I understand that the grass on the lawnmower corrode the metal.
Would hosing down the mower after every use, be bad idea. Or would
the overspray water create problems in the engine?

It depends on a lot of things. Higher quality mowers that used sealed
bearings in the blade brake and possibly the wheels do not do well with
being hosed down. Hot sealed bearings when hit with cold water can
actually suck a small amount of water in past the seals. That will kill
the bearings pretty quickly. Cheaper mowers that don't use high quality
bearings can generally withstand a wash down when hot without any problems.
Where you direct the water is important. Avoid the cables, a tiny amount
of water in a cable will cause it fail quickly. Avoid the air filter and
the engine as much as possible. Try to just wash the mower deck.

--
Art

On Aug 30, 9:58*pm, Art wrote:
lbbss wrote:
I understand that the grass on the lawnmower corrode the metal.
Would hosing down the mower after every use, be bad idea. * *Or would
the overspray water create problems in the engine?

It depends on a lot of things. Higher quality mowers that used sealed
bearings in the blade brake and possibly the wheels do not do well with
being hosed down. Hot sealed bearings when hit with cold water can
actually suck a small amount of water in past the seals. That will kill
the bearings pretty quickly. Cheaper mowers that don't use high quality
bearings can generally withstand a wash down when hot without any problems.
Where you direct the water is important. Avoid the cables, a tiny amount
of water in a cable will cause it fail quickly. Avoid the air filter and
the engine as much as possible. Try to just wash the mower deck.

--
Art

My John Deere mowing deck has a fitting for attaching a hose although
I haven't tried it yet. I won't spray the engine, however.

Cheaper mowers that don't use high quality
bearings can generally withstand a wash down when hot without any problems.
Where you direct the water is important. Avoid the cables, a tiny amount
of water in a cable will cause it fail quickly. Avoid the air filter and
the engine as much as possible. Try to just wash the mower deck.


I cracked the block of a 1970's vintage 5hp Sears push mower washing it
down as a kid.

lbbss wrote:
I understand that the grass on the lawnmower corrode the metal.
Would hosing down the mower after every use, be bad idea. Or would
the overspray water create problems in the engine?

The body of the mower I use is an old Snapper body. Solid aluminum, pretty
thick, too.

I don't bother rinsing it off, since there's nothing to rust. I scrape the
accumulated grass from below the deck every dozen or two mowings, that's
about it.

And put a new motor on it every decade or so.

They don't make 'em like they used to.

Jon

I personally like to wait till my lawnmower is cool and then scrape off any grass with a trowel or wall scraper. This ensures no damage is done to the mower and it doesnt corode or anything. It's worked for me so far.