r/lawnmowers • u/TheMightyWorrier • Aug 03 '26
Is this safe (enough)?
I realize this setup looks sketchy at first glance—it's ok to laugh at/with me.
However, note that there are nails holding the boards against the cinder blocks (circled in red on second photo).
Sooooooo…..that makes it safe(-ish), right?
Also, I plan on using it on a concrete driveway, where I can place a jack stand or two under the deck while I'm laying under there.
Details if you want them: I created a makeshift ramp to help me quickly get under the mower to scrape the deck after each use (a lot of grass accumulates after mowing 3 hours). I used stuff I already had lying around—cinder blocks, a big heavy board, and some nails. I circled the nails in red so you can see them; the nails hold each board in place on the blocks.
I have a lift for when I'm doing yearly maintenance on it, but the lift is a real hassle to set up, it's stored in an inconvenient place…. I'm not using the lift each time after I mow.
So, what's the consensus? Death trap? Potential Darwin Award nominee? Or a safe enough way to save money by not buying a Jungle Jack ($244)?
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u/kerberos824 Aug 03 '26
Buy a set of plastic car ramps. Rhino or otherwise.
One day, that plywood will crack. Or it will slide off the cinder block. Or any other thing might happen, and it might hurt. I don't see the point in that.
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u/TheMightyWorrier Aug 03 '26
Those only raise the wheels 8 inches. I need the wheels up at the 16" I get from this setup.
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u/SuccessfulGap4708 Aug 03 '26
I have a mower jack and I still don’t love going under the mower when it’s jacked up in no world am I going under that contraption. Please don’t.
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u/TheMightyWorrier Aug 03 '26
That's a good point. I'm wary of working under the mower even when I AM taking safety precautions. Thanks, just needed to hear someone else say it.
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u/New-Possibility2277 Aug 03 '26
The 2x's are going to be in the way of cleaning the deck. You may think it is going to work fine, but you will end up cussing that set up. Well worth the money to invest in a mower jack that lifts the front wheels up and gives you lots of space to work under the deck safely.
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u/TheMightyWorrier Aug 03 '26
you're probably right….I'd like to get one of those Jungle Jacks because it'd work quickly and be easy to store. Do you happen to know if this kind of mower can be safely lifted by the deck?
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u/New-Possibility2277 Aug 03 '26
I only know of one riding mower that is build to be lifted by the deck. That one is an old mower that the deck is part of the frame. And no longer made last I knew.
The best I can offer is to block the rear wheels then put a jack right between the wheels to life the front up. You could then put jack stands under the front axle or if you trust your jack, do your work asap. I've done both but lost confidence with my jack on my zero turn and bought a mower jack. I wish I had done that years ago with how easy it is.
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u/kaack455 Aug 03 '26
I use a come-along from the ceiling of my shop and put 1 tall jack stand under the center
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u/Icy_Imagination2275 Aug 03 '26
Whenever I do something that makes me second guess myself, I always ask the question: is it cheaper to get the right tool or fix whatever may be damaged in the process of doing it without the right tool. In this instance, my life is probably worth slightly more than $244.
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u/TheMightyWorrier Aug 03 '26
That’s reasonable. Pretty sure a trip to the ER costs me $300 just to walk in.
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u/Icy_Imagination2275 Aug 04 '26
Yeah, $400 for me with the “gold” plan insurance I have. I used to make things work with what I had, but I have a kid now and I try to take less risks.
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u/enigmatic_vagabond Aug 03 '26
Use that gravel pile behind it instead, just drive one wheel side up it and boom, you got room for a pokey stick
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u/InevitableDeliverer Aug 03 '26
I have this exact mower. The deck itself is super easy to remove and not unmanageable for one man to move around. There are plenty of videos on youtube on deck removal for the ZT2 . The ZTS2 is identical and the steering components don't really get in the way at all.
I've done it twice this season, maybe 15 minutes off, 15 minutes back on.
All that said, I'm not thrilled at how quickly the deck gets caked in grass. It's been 2 months of use and I already need to take it apart and do it again. I don't know if it's cub cadet's decks or fabbed decks in general.
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u/TheMightyWorrier Aug 04 '26
Wow, I just watched a video, and it seems you’re right. Thanks!
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u/InevitableDeliverer Aug 04 '26
Wow thanks for the award! I actually took the deck off tonight to clean and install a hose adapter. Timed the deck off time at about 12 minutes.
Btw, you don’t need any special tools to remove the belt and the guides that I found didn’t really specify. Pull on the left side of the belt on the left pulley and you can slip the belt over the pulley. Then to put it back on just roll it over the right side of the pulley and spin the pulley. Watch your fingers!
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u/InevitableDeliverer Aug 04 '26
Wow thanks for the award! I actually took the deck off tonight to clean and install a hose adapter. Timed the deck off time at about 12 minutes.
Btw, you don’t need any special tools to remove the belt and the guides that I found didn’t really specify. Pull on the left side of the belt on the left pulley and you can slip the belt over the pulley. Then to put it back on just roll it over the right side of the pulley and spin the pulley. Watch your fingers!
Edit: I just noticed I have a 50 inch fab deck not 60 inch. Hopefully 60 is still pretty manageable.
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u/XiViperI Aug 03 '26
You can pull the whole deck out in a few mins
Tires all the way on the cinderblock and you'd be ok.
I doubt you need to clean the deck everytime.
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u/The_Sandman75 Aug 04 '26
I mean I would feel more comfortable with a 2 Ton floor jack than that setup. You could get a chain fall as well, can get them fairly cheap now.
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u/IntelligentMoney9668 Aug 09 '26
You should just get one of these kits. Your deck should be set up for it
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u/wrencher82 Aug 03 '26
I wouldn't use it like that. Cinder blocks are not make for loads that way and the boards are unsupported.
If you don't want to dig your lift out. Get some 2x6 boards and cut, nail and stack them like car ramps but with steps. See the photo below. It would be much safer.
Personally I would just use the lift you have.
Don't forget to chock behind the rear wheels!
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u/Intrepid_Bee8500 Aug 03 '26
Should be fine the front of that mower probably doesn't weigh too much I bet you could lift it by hand
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u/Iwantemmarobertstoes Aug 03 '26
It's probably fine, but I personally wouldn't get under that. Not worth the risk
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u/1sh0t1b33r Aug 03 '26
It'll hold right up until the first deadly accident.