I have a Craftsman lawn tractor model 917.27251 bought in '03. Yesterday I drove up to the barn, depressed the clutch and engaged the safety brake. When I got back and released the clutch, the safety brake did not disengage. The belts are moving, the gear shift moves correctly, but it will not untrack. There is a piece of spring by the clutch under the transaxle but I cant see where it goes, if it goes. Any suggestions?
It has a tecumseh transaxle , B&S engine, 18HP

 

Sometimes the brake arm hangs up near the right rear tire, take a hammer and lightly tap it and it should realease and also sometimes the pins stick that engauge the brake pads, you might try some WD 40 and hopefully that will help lubricate those pins. When tapping on the brake arm release the parking brake. Try that but that is what it sounds like to me. Good luck.

 

The belt is turning the transmission pulley?

 

It appears that all belts are moving and the pulley on top of the transmission is moving too.

 

All you did was park it there and nothing else? (You didn't take a wheel off to fix it or anything like that, right?) Do you hear any noise at all coming from the tranny?

 

Sorry I didnt say about the belt before. I drove the tractor into the barn and parked it. then tried to move it. . When it would not move, we decided to replace the main belt thinking that was loose. We did replace the main engine belt. Got it all together. No, didnt remove wheel. Correct belt so it was tight enuf. The pulley on top of the tranny was turning with the belt. And no noise at all from tranny. I did check for the parking brake. That is not the problem. Is it possible to rebuild the tranny? Can I get parts?

 

Is it possible that the key sheared off on the belt pulley on the transmission??

 

Your model number is incorrect, so I can't look it up and see what machine you have. Post the right one so we can see what you have. Is this a hydro tranny? If so, is the relief valve pulled out?

 

That is the model # on the book and on the tractor itself. 917.272751. It is a gear shift tranny.

 

I took apart the tranny and found nothing wrong on the input shaft but considerable wear on all gears. There is play on the beveled gears. Apparently the gear bushings are about gone. So I am looking for parts now or a rebuilt tranny. Which would be best? I can of course get all parts from Sears but is that the most economical?

 

The second model number you posted is correct... you left out the third "7" in the model number in the original post, which kept me from looking up the mower.

So the mower went immediately from working fine to completely nothing, with no noise or funny sounds, in the time it was parked at the shed? That doesn't make sense, but if the pulley was turning and it was in gear and the axle keys are in place, then the problem is internal. I doubt you will find a rebuild tranny anywhere, although you might get someone to rebuild it for you. I would just pick up a used one and put it in.

 

Thank you for your help. After checking everything you suggested, I have broken down the tranny and find some very worn gears. I think Ill try to purchase the gears and rebuild. I like the challenge and it will be a little cheaper. It may not last long but after 9 years I think we are living on borrowed time with it anyway. Once again, I do appreciate the input.