Tractor cleaning?

[Jms63]

I see people spraying down there machines with this foam soap hooked to their water hose, how good does that stuff work on a dirty tractor, and I’m not talking about mud splattered dirty just average dust and light grime…. I just never saw one get cleaned very good with spray down and spray off… appreciate the opinions

 

[TheOldHokie]

I see people spraying down there machines with this foam soap hooked to their water hose, how good does that stuff work on a dirty tractor, and I’m not talking about mud splattered dirty just average dust and light grime…. I just never saw one get cleaned very good with spray down and spray off… appreciate the opinions

I thought pressure washers were invented just for tractors.

Dan

 

[RalphVa]

Pressure washers are good, but they'll blast off decals and all. I'd just spritz on some Simple Green or Purple and let sit and then wash with a water hose. Pressure washers are too high pressure for the gasketry and all and those decals.

Used to clean dirty engines by wetting and then sprinkling powder Tide over the wet surfaces and let sit and hose off. Lot safer than using gasoline.

 

[lynnmor]

If you want a painted surface really clean, then hand washing is the only thing that works. Even with a pressure washer, there is always a film left.

 

[mcfarmall]

Purple Power will also degloss your paint for you!

 

[Jms63]

If you want a painted surface really clean, then hand washing is the only thing that works. Even with a pressure washer, there is always a film left.

Kindly what I figured all that foamy soap looks good on there but I haven’t actually seen how clean it will get the tractor from anyone…. I’m an elbow grease cleaner but I had seen several pics of people soaping these machines down and just wondered if I was missing out on something.

 

[Mlarv]

I use a spray foam cannon. I spray the heavy dirt off with the pressure washer, then use the foam cannon. I let it sit for a few minutes then rinse off. I also do this to my truck. On my truck I use a wash mit to wipe it down then rinse.

if the tractor needs it or not I wash it in the spring then I may wax it along with clean the seat any rubber mats etc.

Foam Cannon

 

[lynnmor]

Kindly what I figured all that foamy soap looks good on there but I haven’t actually seen how clean it will get the tractor from anyone…. I’m an elbow grease cleaner but I had seen several pics of people soaping these machines down and just wondered if I was missing out on something.

For my cars, I installed a DI (de-ionized water) rinse system. My well water makes some nasty water spots unless it is towel dried immediately, the DI water rinse reduces the water spots. I'll probably use it on the tractor and other equipment since it is right there ready for use. Since it is expensive to change out the media, I do it quickly and only use it for the final rinse.

System

 

[BruceP]

For many years I use "Oil Eater" (mixed 50/50 with water in spray bottle) let soak for a minute, use small brush to loosen the greasy stuff. Then rinse with water. ("Oil Eater" available at local 'Tractor Supply')

The grease just falls off.

I no longer use PRESSURE washer due to problems with bearings and electrical connections getting water within them.

For removing light, dusty crud (grass clippings...etc) I use air-pressure wand.

 

[kubotafreak]

Purple Power will also degloss your paint for you!

I used to remark on how non destructive purple power was. It( at the time) did not damage paint/decals. After the fifth gallon jug I bought of the stuff it bit me. It de-glossed my l3560 rims. I still use it frequently for engine parts and non sensitive areas. Never again for me on gloss paint. Luckily it was a quick polish to bring back the luster.

I feel they must have changed the formula some time in 2015.

 

[jyoutz]

Purple Power will also degloss your paint for you!

Use liquid car wash soap with wax. Works good and protects the finish.

 

[cliffboyer]

I used to remark on how non destructive purple power was. It( at the time) did not damage paint/decals. After the fifth gallon jug I bought of the stuff it bit me. It de-glossed my l3560 rims. I still use it frequently for engine parts and non sensitive areas. Never again for me on gloss paint. Luckily it was a quick polish to bring back the luster.

I feel they must have changed the formula some time in 2015.

Yes it will, and yes they did. I keep several spray bottles with various concentrations and small pump garden sprayer heavily diluted for presoaking bumpers & wheels when washing vehicles.

 

[DustyRusty]

I use a low-pressure pressure washer on the tractor, and I stay away from the engine, electrical, and anything else that water will cause problems with. My tractor is not a garage queen but a working tool. I maintain it well to preserve my investment, but I don't get upset about some scratches, etc. It might be the Rolls Royce of tractors, but it is still a tractor, not a Rolls Royce. I keep the Rolls Royce in the temperature and humidity-controlled garage covered up under fine silk parachutes.

 

[Mark_BX25D]

Yep. Pressure washing a muddy bucket isn't going to hurt, but you have to be very careful about the engine compartment and a few other places.

 

[mikester]

If you use a pressure washer be sure to re-grease everything right after to push the water out of your joints.

 

[Biker1mike]

Car soap and a gentle brush. Only washed a few times a summer.
At 36 it is fine for it to show it's age !
Spray can of orange paint for the constant boot wear on the floor boards.

 

[MuttCat]

Ditto on no pressure washing. My BX sees a lot of mowing, and cuttings and clipping and dust get jammed into every nook. So when things are dry I open up everything and use a compressor to blow all the dried vegetation and dirt out. After, several squirts and a soak with Simple Green, a quick hose, I'm done.

 

[Elliott in GA]

As many have already suggested, wash it like a car with a hose, bucket and microfiber mitt every 6-9 months. Foaming works too, but not as well with real dirt versus dust. You can pressure wash the tires, if needed.

In terms of clippings and debris hiding in various places, compressed air works well, but a leaf blower works much better.

FWIW, I also applied some spray-on/wipe-off ceramic wax (in my case Griot's) for extra protection and easier cleaning. Although the ceramic content probably is just marketing, this stuff lasts and lasts. Waxing the tractor took less than 15 minutes - worth it for me in terms of time/effort.

 

[ctfjr]

I see no one uses this:
WashAll by Aero Cosmetics

By far this has been the best cleaner for vehicles I have owned (cars, tractors and motorcycles). It is used in the aircraft industry.

It does a great job at removing greasy dirt and does not attack finishes. The original owner of my tractor wasn't especially fanatic about removing old grease. WashAll did a great job on it.

 

[kubotafreak]

After its clean, this is a very good product. The blue Meguiars, I was trying a few out and it seems to be the better one. Easy to use, dry and wax idea.