Craftsman Lawn Tractor - Engine runs, but mower won't move
#1
10-17-15, 03:33 AM
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Craftsman Lawn Tractor - Engine runs, but mower won't move
Hi - I have a Craftsman Lawn Tractor, 15.5 hp, 42" mower, electric start, 6 speed transaxle, Model #917.272352.
I was mowing and mulching, all was fine, until I stopped to move some branches. I put it into neutral and set the parking brake. When I was going to get back on the mower, I noticed a lot of debris on the mower deck, and brushed a bunch of that off. When I got back on, and put it into gear, it stayed running, but wouldn't move
So, I shut it off, put it in neutral, and pushed it back towards the garage.
I used a leaf blower to clear off the mower deck, checked all the drive pulleys, and didn't see anything jammed, so I tried it again. When I released the clutch/brake after starting it, I began to smell rubber burning, and saw black smoke coming from under the engine.
I took out the battery, and engaged the parking brake to loosen the drive belt, and the transaxle pulley doesn't move, but the other pulleys move freely.
Should the transaxle pulley turn?
I was mowing and mulching, all was fine, until I stopped to move some branches. I put it into neutral and set the parking brake. When I was going to get back on the mower, I noticed a lot of debris on the mower deck, and brushed a bunch of that off. When I got back on, and put it into gear, it stayed running, but wouldn't move
So, I shut it off, put it in neutral, and pushed it back towards the garage. I used a leaf blower to clear off the mower deck, checked all the drive pulleys, and didn't see anything jammed, so I tried it again. When I released the clutch/brake after starting it, I began to smell rubber burning, and saw black smoke coming from under the engine.
I took out the battery, and engaged the parking brake to loosen the drive belt, and the transaxle pulley doesn't move, but the other pulleys move freely.
Should the transaxle pulley turn?
#2
10-18-15, 12:56 AM
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The pulley won't turn with the brake engaged. You have to slip the belt off and release the brake to make it turn, and it should turn.
#3
10-20-15, 01:34 AM
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Sorry, Cheese, my original post wasn't clear - I didn't have the brake/clutch engaged when I tried turning the transaxle pulley, and the belt was off. However, I found a bunch of stuff packed in by the brake, and the actuating lever was stuck. It was stuck in such a way to prevent the pulley from turning when powered up, but not enough to keep the wheels locked up when it was off, as I could push it when in neutral. In any event, it moves now :-) It feels a little strange yet when I drive it, but hoping it's just because I have the deck off, and the drive belt got a bit fried (hence, the black smoke). I'm waiting on a new belt to put all back together again, but at least the beast drives again! The transmission hasn't given up the ghost yet :-)
Never did get the transaxle pulley to move by hand, though. Perhaps some safety feature related to the seat sensor switch?
Thanks for your response, Cheese.
Never did get the transaxle pulley to move by hand, though. Perhaps some safety feature related to the seat sensor switch?
Thanks for your response, Cheese.
#5
10-24-15, 08:45 PM
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All is well
Not sure what happened between parking the mower in the garage, and then pushing it out of the garage to replace the belts, but the transmission pulley is turning with ease now.
After shaking my head
, I decided to just be glad that the pulley turns, and not question it (Ok, I question it, but the transmission stuff is beyond my skill level). I put on a new drive belt, and a new deck belt, put it all back together, and it's running like a champ 
Mowed and mulched over an acre, and all is well - clutch/brake working fine, goes into all gears fine, and runs smoothly.
Thanks for your time and input. Take care.
After shaking my head
, I decided to just be glad that the pulley turns, and not question it (Ok, I question it, but the transmission stuff is beyond my skill level). I put on a new drive belt, and a new deck belt, put it all back together, and it's running like a champ 
Mowed and mulched over an acre, and all is well - clutch/brake working fine, goes into all gears fine, and runs smoothly.Thanks for your time and input. Take care.
#6
12-07-15, 04:45 PM
Hey I have 2006 Lt 2000 and out of no where it stopped moving forward. It will go in reverse but not forward when I try to go forward it jumps a little then wines n allot of vibration comes from the trains pulley is my trans toast?
