Grass Sticking to your Mower Deck? Try These Solutions
Learning how to solve simple problems, like the annoying issue of grass sticking to your mower deck, can end up saving you a lot of time when you need to clean your equipment. After a few weeks of mowing, there’s no doubt you’ll notice how easily grass clippings can accumulate on the inside and outside of your mower, gradually reducing its efficiency and creating a hassle when you try to clean it.
It’s a pain to deal with, but you should be aware that some of the older remedies for preventing this problem aren’t always the best for your lawn. Check out these three tips to prevent grass sticking to your mower deck and keep your property looking well maintained and green all summer long. Remember, before working on your mower always remove the spark plug to prevent an accidental start-up.
1. Wire Brush After Mowing Sessions
Grass clings really well to the other grass accumulation on your mower, so if you can stop the build-up from happening in the first place then you’re going to be a step ahead when figuring out how to keep grass from continuing to stick. Using a wire brush to thoroughly clean your mower after each time that you mow will make it more difficult for dried out clumps of grass to accumulate, ultimately saving you a hassle down the road. Don’t wait too long after you’re done mowing, however, or the grass will harden to the point where it’s that much harder to clean.
2. Use Vegetable Oil, Not Motor Oil
You might hear some people say to spray the mower deck with used motor oil to keep grass from sticking to it. While oil does act as a barrier that prevents grass from getting a foothold on the steel blades, wheels and deck of your mower, it also destroys your lawn as it drips off and kills the grass. Use vegetable oil instead. It has the same protective properties as engine oil and is natural enough that it won’t damage your grass.
3. Purchase a Mower-Specific Spray
There are convenient products that have been specifically designed to prevent grass from clogging your mower and keep your lawn safe, while at the same time coating your mower deck with a slick layer that won’t accumulate grass clippings. Some contain Teflon, while others use a more proprietary compound.
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Photo courtesy of Morguefile.
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Benjamin Hunting View All
Having been bitten by the car bug at a young age, I spent my formative years surrounded by Studebakers at car shows across Quebec and the northeastern United States. Over ten years of racing, restoring, and obsessing over automobiles lead me to balance science writing and automotive journalism full time. I currently contribute as an editor to several online and print automotive publications, and I also write and consult for the pharmaceutical and medical device industry.