How to wash a 520H tractor

[Taylor 7]

Hello,

I was installing my new vac baggers rear brackets for the bags and noticed that there is a bunch or grime and grass clippings all over the tractor. Under the tractor seat, in the engine bay area…etc. I was wondering how do people hose off or pressure wash their tractors to look new again? I would like to but I don’t want to ruin the engine or electronics in the process. Please let me know what I should do.

[Keaton 437]

im not the best to say but, before you wash or anything, do you have air compressor and a open spray nozzle, I would back it outside and blow out as much of the grass and lose dirt build up out, for washing I would personally presshure wash it but when doing so I would stay about a foot - a foot and a half back and preashure wash the hood engine exctra, and be carefully I would use castroll super clean, I would spray it in small aeras at a time, get it wet, spray it scrub it quick then rinse, I would not let it sit for more than a minute, I learned the hard way, it is powerfully and will do the job and if there is no electrical where there is heavy grime I would get a few inches away and try to blast it out, I have not used any other cleaning product really besides superclean, and when scrubbing try to not have some fling up in ur eyes it stings a bit I learned last night 

[Pullstart 62,945]

 @Taylor!  Whenever I pressure wash things, I stay clear of the electrical connectors, fuel blocks, and such.  The engine carburetor and exhaust area gets minimal DIRECT spray, but I will spray against the grain, or away from openings.  The frame, transmission (on a hydro it is well sealed, but a gear drive stay away from the shifter boot), etc I let ‘er have it.  Once the pressure washing is complete, a low pressure hose down will be a big help, then air nozzle blast any and all electrical connections that became wet.  I also fire it up sooner than later.  If small amounts of water got into the engine, it’ll burn it away before any moisture does damage.

[953 nut 55,394]

An accumulation of grass clippings and dirt can lead to overheating so it is a very good idea to keep things clean.

I prefer using mechanical cleaning (wire brush, putty knife, long screw driver) to remove the bulk of the accumulated grass clippings and dirt. Once that is done then use some Simple Green, let is work in for a while then use a parts brush to loosen everything up before a hose down.

[cleat 6,098]

To properly clean the rear end it is best to remove the console covers, seat and rear fender then you will be able to get to most areas.

 

Carefully inspect under the engine tins for grass buildup or rodent nests as the engine cooling depends on good air flow.

You can see most of the way in by looking from the PTO side and shining a flashlight in between the tinwork and the engine block front and back.

 

As you can see, removing some covers makes the cleanup job much better.

 

 

 

[peter lena 8,654]

@Taylor  personally not a fan  of pressure washers, especially  with all the panel , related connections , also the thought of driving water into closed points is a guarantee of future rust . guy up the street  from me , has stuff that looks like solid rolling rust , paint blasted right off , if you do anything , be careful of related connections , pete     

[cleat 6,098]

Between blowing down with air and using a degreasing spray cleaner, soap and water from a garden hose along with scrapers and brushes as required, you should be able to get things pretty clean.

 

Likely don't really need a pressure washer.

 

[Keaton 437]

or if you are up to the challenge, Wich I doubt you would want to, you could patina restore it, then it will be cleaner then new, witch I have a liking to do to my tractors like my springfeild right now

[lynnmor 7,321]

Skip the pressure washer, you will do more harm than good, especially on a 520H.  Like Cleat said, pulling the seat, fender and console panels will allow a proper cleaning.  Also, pull the fuel tank to clean under it to prevent rust. 

[Bill D 1,927]

14 hours ago, Taylor said:

Hello,

I was installing my new vac baggers rear brackets for the bags and noticed that there is a bunch or grime and grass clippings all over the tractor. Under the tractor seat, in the engine bay area…etc. I was wondering how do people hose off or pressure wash their tractors to look new again? I would like to but I don’t want to ruin the engine or electronics in the process. Please let me know what I should do.

Welcome!  If the tractor is going to be a worker and not a trailer queen, I'd blow off the loose debris with an air gun (wear a respirator while doing this) then spray a degreaser such as simple green in the the areas that need it and hose those areas off.  If there is a buildup of grease and oil that attracts debris then there is likely an issue such as a bad seal that needs to be repaired. 

 

I personally recommend against washing to avoid water and soap getting into electrical parts and causing corrosion and other issues down the road.  For a worker, air gun clean is clean enough. 

[Taylor 7]

Thanks everyone for the useful comments and sharing your strategies with cleaning your wheel horse.

[bds1984 1,435]

Most of my tractor cleaning involves removing the fender pan and engine tins with copious amounts of dish soap (Dawn, Palmolive, or Kirkland's)/water mixture of 2:1 in a squirt bottle with a scrub brush and a garden hose of substantial pressure.  Let the soap/water mix sit for a few and then scrub, rinse, and repeat until it is clean.  You really don't need to spend the big bucks on can after can of engine degreaser or brake cleaner.  GOOD dish soap works quite well and even better if you can have some warm/hot water to add to it.  Good luck!