Easy-To-Use Mower Deck Washer

Easy-To-Use Mower Deck Washer FARM HOME Lawn Mowers (31h,38) 30-6-43 Cleaning fresh grass clippings out of a two or three-blade mower deck can be a pain. Reaching and scraping is usually the only answer. Retired engineer John Sorenson figured there had to be a better way. His Empire Riding Mower Deck Washer uses the force of the mower blades to help clean the deck. "The rotating blades create a vortex that starts about halfway down the blades and moves up toward the deck and out," explains Sorenson. "By the time it reaches the outside, it has multiplied its force many times." It is the vortex or spiraling movement of air that sucks lawn clippings up and out of the deck. Using various meters and gauges, Sorenson experimented for about six months and ruined about as many mower decks. With 40 patents to his name, he understood the importance of getting it right. Simply injecting water under the deck was not enough. He noted that some deck mowers have a fitting on the top of the deck for a hose, but just dumping water in doesn't work as well as getting it in at the right angle. Sorenson found that water injected at a 45 degree angle from below is ideal. "The water hits the mower deck like a pressure washer," he says. He has patented his device, which consists of a 40 1/2-in. long, 1-in. dia. plastic tube with three nozzles and a hose coupler at one end. "When done mowing, simply drive the mower to the washing area, raise the deck to the highest position and shut off the engine. Slide the washer connected to a garden hose under the deck," explains Sorenson. "It should slide all the way to the opposite side. The washer can handle mowers from 32 in. to 60 in. One fellow uses two on a 76-in. deck, pushing one in from each side." To clean the deck, turn on the water and then turn on the mower, says Sorenson. Run blades at top speed for maximum vortex and cleaning power. "The important thing with mowers is to clean them every time, before the damp clippings can harden." The Empire Mower Washer is made out of ABS plastic that won't warp, bend, crack or deteriorate. Suggested retail price for the washer is $19.50. It's available direct from Empire Products as well as through independent lawn mower dealers. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Empire Products, W5901 Spooner Lake Road, Spooner, Wis. 54801 (ph 715 635-8197; fax 715 635-9161; empire05@centurytel.net; www.empirewasher.com).

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