iFixit - Active Questions With Device "Craftsman Riding Mower"

Craftsman Riding Mower: Reverse gradually fades to zero

Sun, 16 Aug 2026 14:14:45 -0700

When I start my Craftsman Mower Model 917.289240, full forward speed is about 75%, and just nudging the shift lever past neutral makes the mower shoot backwards at a nearly uncontrollable speed.

It takes me about 45 minutes to finish my lawn, and in that time, reverse gradually fades to a crawl - forward speed stays about the same.

In between, pushing the lever all the way reverse gradually gets me less and less speed, but if I leave it there, the full 'rocket' speed will eventually kick in. By the time I'm done, it won't do that. Reverse is a very slow crawl, no matter how long I wait.

⟐ Commented August 16, 2026 at 14:14 MST

Craftsman Riding Mower: Craftsman LT1500 riding mower engine won't start

Sat, 01 Aug 2026 09:26:36 -0700

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM_ek_BP...

Something is spinning but engine won't start. Battery (2-yr old) is in good condition (inspected by Sears) but I am not sure if it's fully charged. Does this look like a battery issue or something else?

⟐ Commented August 01, 2026 at 9:26 MST

Craftsman Riding Mower: Craftsman DLT3000 Blades not fully disengaging

Sat, 18 Jul 2026 14:19:52 -0700

2005 Craftsman DLT3000

Tried all I could think of ... new springs. New brake arms, new engagement cable and checked and smoothed the engagement plate which was barely notched. The engagement plate is moving fine and brakes are engaging.

If the deck is lowered all the way and I engage the blades, then disengage them, they will stop spinning after a few seconds but if I then raise the deck, the blades will re-engage on their own. The same if I try to disengage the blades (via lever) while deck is in a higher position than 1; they will not disengage. The higher the deck level the more they will engage.

They do not appear to be fully engaged, as there is a kind of grinding crunching noise and the smell of the belt burning.

Any ideas would be super appreciated!

Craftsman Riding Mower: How to replace drive belt on Craftsman riding mower

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 02:55:32 -0700

The drive belt broke today on my Craftsman model # 917255441 riding lawn tractor. I went to Sears and bought a new drive belt, but I do not have a clue as to how to put it back on the tractor. I need a diagram. Can you help?

⟐ Answered July 10, 2026 at 2:55 MST

Craftsman Riding Mower: I need a actual picture of the installed drive belt

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 01:33:03 -0700

Hello--

The belt snapped the drive belt on my Craftsman Riding Mower 917.987140 46" automatic, Well, When i installed the new belt, It is still loose and i have done what it looks like in th eowners manual, If anyone can help it would be very helpful, If i can get a actual picture that would be even better. Thanks, Email icitrish@aol.com

⟐ Answered July 09, 2026 at 1:33 MST

Craftsman Riding Mower: Why does drive belt keep slipping off transaxle pulley

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 05:03:31 -0700

I have a craftsman 917.289272 made by husqvarna. I first replaced the drive belt but it happened with the new one. Both times it happened when I had a trailer hooked up and had the parking brake on so I could dismount from the mower while it was still running. When I released the parking brake the belt jumps off and lodges underneath the pulley.

⟐ Commented July 08, 2026 at 5:03 MST

Craftsman Riding Mower: Where are all the safety switches on Craftsman lawn tractor?

Fri, 03 Jul 2026 20:16:18 -0700

After reading forum answers on why the mower dies when blades are engaged or brake is let off I need to check safety switches but I don't know where they are on this mower. Under the seat yes but where are the others? Craftsman 18.5 42" 917.273642 lawn tractor THANK YOU IN ADVANCE :)

⟐ Commented July 03, 2026 at 20:16 MST

Craftsman Riding Mower: it quit moving forward or backwards

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 23:58:46 -0700

Our craftsman 2400 was working fine we started moving the grass and all of a sudden it quit moving forward or backwards all the keys to the tires are there , clean filter , brand new battery , new gas , oil. Don't know what the problem is

⟐ Commented July 02, 2026 at 23:58 MST

Lawn Mower Craftsman ZTS 7500: The starter will not engage what can cause that to happen?

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 10:12:13 -0700

The starter moter will not engage are they a easy fix for that ?

Craftsman Riding Mower: gas in the oil

Sat, 30 May 2026 10:01:13 -0700

how does gas get into my oil tank? I filled up the gas tank, and next day most of the gas had gotten into the oil, when I drained the oil it was mostly gasoline...

⟐ Commented May 30, 2026 at 10:01 MST

Craftsman Riding Mower: mower wont move when started

Sun, 03 May 2026 11:03:17 -0700

My T150 mower is new this year. I got a skinny stick caught between the mower deck and mower. It appeared to be wrapped around a metal rod. After I dislodged the stick the mower started but will not move. I am a 62 yr old widow and have NO idea how to fix it. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

⟐ Answered May 03, 2026 at 11:03 MST

Lawn Mower craftsman ZTS 7500: mower starts but will not engage in forward or reverse

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 18:55:45 -0700

My mower will not go forward or in reverse when moving the levers forward or backward. No symptons could be detected prior to the issue. I was mowing and starting to go in reverse and it would not go. At that time it would not go forward either.

⟐ Commented April 13, 2026 at 18:55 MST

Craftsman Riding Mower: Starter turns the engine very slow to not at all, but not enough to st

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 09:19:20 -0700

I checked the wiring and it all checks. But the engine turns very slow to not at all.

⟐ Answered April 09, 2026 at 9:19 MST

Craftsman Garden Tractor GT5000: Craftsman GT3000 Help engage blades, it dies

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 23:33:32 -0700

As soon as I engage the blades, the motor dies and has a new seat switch a new interlock switch a new ignition switch any help would be greatly appreciated

The PTO switch also tested fine and a brand new battery. Both cylinders are firing.

⟐ Answered February 08, 2026 at 23:33 MST

Craftsman Riding Mower: Does anyone have the Craftsman YS4500 Manual? Model # 917.276630.

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 17:54:48 -0700

Does anyone have the Craftsman YS4500 Manual? Model # 917.276630.

Thanks.

Mike L.

⟐ Answer accepted December 11, 2025 at 17:54 MST

Craftsman Riding Mower: Repair Manual for Craftsman Riding Mower

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:03:29 -0700

How can I obtain a repair manual for a Craftsman Riding Mower?

⟐ Commented December 10, 2025 at 20:03 MST

Lawn Mower Craftsman ZTS 7500: engine dies when engauging pto

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 14:33:02 -0700

engine runs fine until you engage the PTO for blades or for drive

⟐ Commented November 24, 2025 at 14:33 MST

Craftsman Riding Mower: Craftsman lawn tractor won't start

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 14:12:44 -0700

2002 model 917.271653 17 HP electric start, Briggs and Stratton engine. Turned key on. Heard a small pop. Won't start. Solenoid won't click. Have power to the white line to the solenoid. Checked the solenoid separately by putting power to terminals and got connectivity across power terminals. Cable to starter and cable to ground has connectivity. Jumped starter from battery and it cranks. Turn key, won't start. No solenoid click. No nothing. Any thoughts?

I took the solenoid out and put power across the activating terminals by jumping from the battery. Then had conectivity across the power terminals. Checked the power cable from the solenoid terminal to the starter and the ground cable from the activation side to ground. Both good. Any ideas?

⟐ Commented November 21, 2025 at 14:12 MST

Craftsman Riding Mower: T 1000 series Craftsman doesn't want to shift into reverse.

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 10:21:47 -0700

Just bought a Craftsman 247 203720 T 1000 series. Having trouble shifting from forward to reverse. It works fine once it's engaged but it's usually a struggle to get it to shift.

⟐ Answered November 21, 2025 at 10:21 MST

Craftsman Riding Mower: hard to turn the steering wheel

Sat, 01 Nov 2025 10:25:22 -0700

We have a Craftsman mower and now I am having a difficult time turning the steering wheel. How can I fix this?

⟐ Answered November 01, 2025 at 10:25 MST