Craftsman Riding Mower Sputtering when engaging blades

[fisher60]

I have a Craftsman Lawn Tractor 26.00 HP, 54' Mower and the Model No. 917.389903. It starts up fine, but whenever I engage the Mower Blade, it starts to stutter, and then will go away when I disengage it. I have changed the fuel filter and spark plugs. It still does it. Thanks for any help.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

Maybe check the compression. I had the same mower up until three years ago when it threw a rod.

 

[Wagtail]

If it fires up fine and moves around OK prior to engaging the blades, then I would say that it's the 'load' of engaging the blades that is where the fault lies.

Perhaps removing the blades and checking that nothing is fouling the ability to rotate? It's amazing what can be picked up and tightly wrapped around. For me it's the odd bit of baling wrap and horse tail hair.

 

[dougbthom]

Run some Seafoam in your next tank of fresh fuel. This product has solved many a problem for me over the years. Be sure to only use premium fuel. If you do solve the problem, run the Seafoam through a tank of fresh fuel a couple of times in the season. Hope this helps.

 

[stevem5215]

How's your battery ? The load on the electric clutch will do this too if the battery is weaker. The clutch takes a lot of juice to make it run and takes away from the ignition system if the battery is not so good.

Steve

 

[Wagtail]

Welp, it's been just over two months since the OP posed his/her question... that's a lot of grass that's grown since & no follow-up if the problem was solved.