Craftsman mower problem

deerefan · Apr 30, 2007

My dad passed a mint 3 year old craftrsman riding mower to me. It has the 20 hp twin kohler engine w/ a 46" deck. I used it yesterday for the first time. It worked great for about an hour then I encountered a problem. i would engage the blades and go about twenty feet and they would quit spinning. I'd push in the blade stop button, pull it out again, they would engage and spin for about 20 feet and stop again. I checked the connections at the switch and it seemed fine and clear of debris. Any suggestions???

Gatorboy · Apr 30, 2007

deerefan said:
Any suggestions???

Give the Craftsman away and buy a decent lawn tractor.

deerefan · Apr 30, 2007

A free mower is a decent mower in my book....anyway, any INTELLIGENT suggestions?

Thomas · Apr 30, 2007

Does the ownwers manuel offer anything under trouble shooting...maybe call or vist to Sears sevice department might help.

If it was me,I would take air hose and blow clean all connections also check for wire that might be grounding out.

What the model and year?

There's gentlman w/GT6500 Sears that posted w/in 24 hours might beable to help.

awlchu · Apr 30, 2007

deerefan,

1) PTO clutch is going bad
2) Seat switch is going bad

MT372HERE · Apr 30, 2007

2 things.

1. if you come off the seat AT ALL when riding it with the blades on, they will turn off and you will have to manually turn the switch off and turn it back on. Try doing it SLOW, keeping your weight centered on the seat, not leaning at all. If it does okay for a while, more than likely you have a touchy seat switch and it needs to be replaced or adjusted.

2. The electromagnetic clutches are sensitive to dirt ingestion and heat, not to mention use...So the electric pack inside it can loose power over time, and cause it to release after it gets warm, its a longshot, but possible.

Electric clutches are a tradeoff.

The are easier on belts than a manual clutch, and are easy to use by simply pushing or pulling a button. But when manuafturers started skimping on wiring, and quality, they started becoming a hinderance.

When they work, they are awesome, when they stop working, they suck and are a pain.

deerefan · Apr 30, 2007

i'll try that this evening and let you know. thanks!!

deerefan · May 2, 2007

i removed the dust covers on the outer pulleys to watch their actions when the blaes "stopped." The blades are not actually stopping but turning very slow. As i stated before, it will mow for about a minute, then slows down. I found the clutch on the bottom of the motor and noticed it has 3 adjustment bolts like my bushhog. Would adjusting those in help at all? How much do these clutches run?

Stimw · May 2, 2007

You might have a spindle bearing (shaft that the blade is on) going bad.
Run the tractor until it quits cutting, TURN IT OFF and try turning the blades to see if there is resistance. One or more bearings might be seizing. Try backing the blade up and see if it loosens up.
Wouldn't hurt to check for rope or wire on a blade/spindle causing it to freeze up.