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Riding Mower (craftsman) will not go when put in gear?

My Craftsman riding mower (automatic) will go into forward and reverse but will not drive. Also when the blade is engaged it smells of rubber. I checked under the deck and the most forward pulley unit directly under the motor which has an upper and lower pulley is very hot, I could not turn it by hand. The belt seems loose when the blade drive is not engaged.
The last service on the mower was remove both rear tires and add tubes. Also regular PM was performed. Is there a cooling fan on the transmission, is their fluid to be checked. I have misplaced my service manual. Never had a problem until this year with the exception that you have to play with the shift lever a bit to engage neutral....HELP!

Lee
May 2006

Craftsman Garden Tools, Lawn Mowers Automatic Forward Drive

need a answer for this question

mark wolf
September 2010

I have had to change drive belts almost on a yearly basis (3-4 times). For some reason, the belt slides under the trans pulley. The pulley turns when the mower is put into gear- this causes the burning smell. I am not sure what causes this, but it is very frustrating. There is just enough space between the trans and the pulley to trap the belt. Anyone have an idea of how to prevent this?

Ed...
July 2007

Did you find a way to check the tranny fluid?I'm having the same problem.Thanks

Rick Vetterl
March 2007

First thing- had the rider driven since the wheels were put back on? Bothe wheels need to have a key to keep the wheel from turning on the shaft for the rider to drive. Hopefully the hydro release valve has simply been pulled out and must be pushed back in. (rear of the unit- sometimes has a little hitch pin to secure. If not- A test - can you move the rider if you were to release the brake and disengage the hydro? If not the brake could be stuck from sitting the winter. It is located on the right side of the transaxel and will either have a 1/2 nut or a castle nut with a pin. Sometimes it works to loosen the nut a turn or 2 and rock the unit back and forth (with the hydro release on ) until it releases. A light lube in the proper spots will help it along (not on the disc or pads ;) Sometimes it is a bit more involved- but usually not.

The stack pully under the engine will get hot if it is trying to turn belts that can't turn. Commonly the blade shafts can corrode to the housing on these. With the unit off and some good leather gloves- you may be able to break them loose if needed. Other possibilities- a siezed idler pulley or simply the belt rusted to the deck pulleys. Likely the belt has become worn in the area of the front pulley and will need to be replaced or the deck will shake .

tom
May 2006