how can i tighten my brive belt on my sears lawn tractor model 917.270732?

I have this same problem. All of the belt keepers are in place, and I think my problem is in the belt tension also. I did have too change this some when I replaced the brake pads, and I can't figure out how to get it right. It only happens when I use the clutch, and it always comes off of the transaxle pulley. I have tried to bend the transaxle pulley keeper, and this has not worked either. I have a new belt, but don't want to put it on until I'm realatively sure the problem is fixed. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Annoyed Craftsman owner
May 2011

Adding to the above answer. Type in your 917 number and look at the ground drive diagram to see if you are missing any keepers.

Scott Deaver
June 2005

S. Stevenson,

The main cause of v-belts coming off their respective pulleys is the lack of belt keepers. These are usualy 1/4" to 3/8" rods desingned to be very close to the belt in the pulley. Sometimes these rattle loose and drop off. If your belt comes off when you push in the clutch, most likely you are missing one of these keepers. There are 2 at the engine end and one at the transmission end. There is also a keeper right on the idler pulley which does the clutching. All of these belt keepers should be very close to the v-belt at all times. You should not be able to remove the belt unless these are bent or loosened. Go here, http://www3.sears.com/

Scott Deaver: B&S Authoriized Master Service Technician
June 2005