blade clutch

[jhayes456]

doesn't reseat when trying to turn off blade and keeps blades turning this is an older craftsman that I keep an hours drive from here so no information on it at this time

 

[WKTEDDYBEAR]

guessing then it has an electric clutch(switch) instead of Idler pulley(lever)

 

[jhayes456]

no it is the manual

 

[RandyT]

the craftsman have a pivot attached to the engage idler pulley and also disengages the brakes for the spindles. over time the pivot will wear where the right brake arm contacts the pivot and create a notch in the medal the the brake arm will hang in the notch causing the deck to not disengage when you stop the mower. pull the deck off and pivot the idler pulley arm and you will see that there is a notch worn in the pivot plate. about a 6 dollar parts and takes about 15 minutes to replace and then you will be back in business. replaced two for customers already this year for the same problem.

 

[WKTEDDYBEAR]

agree with RandyT especially if disengagement happens when idle engine down or is shut off
if they are turning after restart engine then check the belt routing and also for bad idler pulley bearings, and broken mandrel housings(this usually causes belt slippage though) near the mounting bolts.
also there is a spring(#148) that goes from idler arm (#55) to a slot in the deck to check for.
following attachments are for my deck and may slightly differ from yours but should give idea of what I am talking about.