Craftsman tractor issue - any suggestions?

**Dredly** · September 3rd, 2009, 06:39 PM

I recently bought a used Craftsmans riding mower with a 15.5 hp motor. I've had nothing but issues with it, I haven't been able to fully mow my yard yet without something going wrong

I was told the guy I got it from had just replaced the back end and drive belt...

I've had issues with the mower deck - he replaced the mower belt

Drive belt came off, me and my neighbor put it back on

Another issue with mower deck - he replaced one of the pulleys on the deck

Now I just started mowing and 20 minutes in the drive belt has come off again... this is a major pain in the ass to get back on

anyone know what could be causing the drive belt from coming off? is there a set screw or tension screw somewhere? I am seriously pissed

**Minor Threat** · September 3rd, 2009, 06:42 PM

are you sure you got the right size belt? Sounds like too big a belt & thats causing it too slip off.

The pulley bearings go bad over time - nothing you can do about that

**mark2052** · September 3rd, 2009, 08:15 PM

Check the brackets that support the transmission. Go to sears online and look up your model number. Go to the transmission pictorial. I believe they are called torque brackets. Had the same problem with mine and found both brackets broken. The broken brackets allowed the transmission to move back and forth causing the belt to come off the back drive pulley.

**UnrealStunner** · September 3rd, 2009, 08:51 PM

Sounds like there is alot of DRY grass biulding up on you Idler and Pully and it might even have packed into your idler spring or the belt just stretched do to its age or his installed the wrong belt size..

Always hose off and clean under your deck when your done mowing let it run for 2 mins after washing..

**markheck1** · September 3rd, 2009, 08:52 PM

Get a John Deere! ....hehehehe

Seriously though, check those torque brackets, we see those in the shop all the time. Also check there are supposed to be belt fingers to hold the belt around the pulleys when you loosen the belt (step on the clutch pedal) make sure they are 1/8" away from the belt in all positions when the belt is tight, (clutch pedal out)

**CarolinaGuy** · September 3rd, 2009, 11:34 PM

Hate to tell you, but the decks on Craftmans are notoriously crappy. Just about every house in my little pocket of the hood has one, and we've all had deck issues. Thankfully, mine has fared the best by only mowing slightly off-level...which is quickly hidden by growth. Still drives me nuts to have to wait for two days after cutting to get a nice lawn.

My one neighbor has taken hers back twice and it's still messed up. I would advise trying to find a riding mower/power equipment forum and finding people with your same era model and finding trips or tricks to common problems.

**knight0334** · September 4th, 2009, 01:16 AM

damn.. after reading this I'm gonna have to go hug my 25-30yo Murray that I have to jump start with my truck.

**Exbiker** · September 4th, 2009, 04:29 AM

Doesn`t sound like a big deal. Make sure it`s the proper model deck and the pulleys are aligned and the belt is the right one.
I`ll occasionally have the belt come off my Deere but it`s usually if the blade is spinning full throttle and I disengage it fast.
Pulley alignment?
Pulley bearings?
Proper belt?
Belt tensioner?
Belt not routed properly?

**markheck1** · September 4th, 2009, 08:39 AM

Too bad you don't live closer, I'd fix it for Beer....LOL

make sure it's the right belt, though, you can look it up on craftsman's website
A lot of people just match one up and have problems, which is why I always sell original equipment belts unless I don't have a choice.

FWIW you can buy parts for that through me, I'll try to work out a 5% POOFA discount with the boss