How to keep grass clippings from sticking to a mower deck
Throughout the history of modern lawn care, there's been a quest to find the perfect solution to prevent grass buildup under the mower deck. Caked-on clippings disrupt the airflow essential for lifting the grass for a clean, even cut and for discharging the clippings. Grass buildup also encourages rust and corrosion.
The tips that follow discourage grass buildup. To get rid of the few clippings that manage to hang on, stick a garden hose into the discharge chute and spray them off; if your mower has a washout port, follow the instructions in the manual to run water through the port. (You can add a port to a mower than doesn’t have one by installing a deck washout port kit.)
Use a spray lubricant
Many people swear by using a spray lubricant such as MO-DECK to keep grass from sticking. These products can also help prevent rust and make cleaning the deck easier. Before applying, remove any accumulated clippings from the deck.
Mow only when it's dry
Grass is sticky when cut—there's no way around it. When you add water, cut grass can turn into a thick paste that's suitable as a building material. It may not always be convenient to wait until it's drier, but if you can spare the time to wait, do it.
Keep the clippings short
The shorter the grass clippings are, the easier it is for them to blow away from the mower. Cut no more than 1/3 the height of the grass. It's not only better for the mower deck—it's also healthier for the grass, because it leaves enough of the grass blade that the grass can keep on photosynthesizing.
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