Could use some advice here

[clymermn]

I'm a new user to the forum. I have a Craftsman Model 917.273042 (20 HP electric start, 46" deck) tractor with B & S engine. I went to mow the other day & started up. Once engine was running, I dropped the deck (electric lowered). When I went to engage the blades, it killed the engine. Wasn't sure if it was electric related or not. Talked with former owner of mower (my brother) & he said it sounded clutch related. I also have spoken with someone I know who is mechanically inclined & he said he felt it might be a bad clutch (it is electric also). I have ordered a new electric clutch but the price is a little hard to swallow (~ $250 shipped). Wondered if any of you out there might be able to give some advice--do you feel that the clutch will do the trick or do you think that something else might fix the problem? Thanks in advance.

 

[Mike Costello]

Have you checked the seat safety switch? While I don't have the electric clutch system you have on your Craftsman mower, (mine is the old fashioned lower the deck lever type) it will shut off if you remove weight (yourself) from the seat while the blades are engaged. I've read other posts in the past about this problem and a bad seat safety switch can cause the mower to shut down when the blades are engaged. It's worth looking into. Mike.

 

[Jim Thompson]

I hope that you aren't wasting your money, but from what little information you've given,I don't think its the clutch. I would eliminate the seat switch and the PTO switch as possibilities.

We really need more information. Did it quit as if you switched the ignition off, or did it load the engine to the extent that the engine couldn't handle it?

I really don't see how the clutch could be the problem. With what you've told us, I would suspect the seat switch. Sometimes there are also relays in the protect circuits.

Jim

 

[J_J]

Will the blades turn freely with engine off? There might be some wire wrapped around the spindle, or a piece of wood wedged between the blades and deck.

Can you unplug the wires on the clutch and apply 12v to it with the engine running, thereby by passing all safety features. Hook up the wires and stand off to the side for safety.

If the blades turn normally, then back up through the wiring and check interrupt switches, and relays, etc.

 

[clymermn]

Here is a little more info on what happened to me originally. 1-Started mower (it ran fine). 2-Lowered deck (motor still running). 3-Engaged blades (motor stopped). In my prior 2-3 uses, I noticed that when the blades were engaged there was a little hesitation. The guy I know who knows small engines checked the deck itself & blades, etc. were fine. The first time he went to start it, he could not start it via the key (he had to start it by the (+) side of the solenoid. The motor also killed on him the 1st time he engaged the blades. He did this a 2nd & 3rd time; each time the blades were engaged, there was less hesitation (perhaps something was "bound up"). I can say though that we were able to key start it prior to the 3rd attempt at engaging the blades & it did run completely (with me on the seat) as if I were ready to mow.

 

[bp fick]

Just did a replacement of the electric clutch on our Craftsman of similar size. That $250 must have been from Sears? $179 on most internet parts sites and $159 on eBay, just for future reference.

The clutch referred to is not a clutch between the engine and trans, but rather the clutch that engages the deck drive, similar to the clutch on an auto's A/C unit.

 

[Molerj]

Still a little vague on exactly what the problem is. I can't tell if your engine is shutting down because a switch is grounding it out ie; seat safety switch etc. Or is the engine shutting down because the PTO is bogging it down to the point it stalls. Here is one thing to try. Remove the PTO belt from the electric clutch & then try engaging the PTO. If it still shuts down then I would suspect a bad switch. One more way to take the PTO out of the mix is to unplug the clutch. Then engage the PTO. If engine shuts down, it is definitely in a switch or wiring.

 

[clymermn]

I'll mention this to the guy who will likely be doing the mechanics on the mower, Molerj. I'd like to thank everyone for the feedback--much appreciated.

 

[jgrinn]

I'll mention this to the guy who will likely be doing the mechanics on the mower, Molerj. I'd like to thank everyone for the feedback--much appreciated.

Could be a coil issue also.