WON'T THROW GRASS

SOURCE: uneven cutting height

Hi Matt,

Thanks for the update. Good ole brainstormin' comes through again!

Charlie

SOURCE: Craftmen mower doesn't cut well on right side

Sounds like you may have made a common mistake, getting one or both of the blades upside down.

SOURCE: How do I get my mower deck set properly? Any tricks?

check your front tire air pressures

Kelly

• 3740 Answers
• Posted on Oct 07, 2010

SOURCE: I have a Craftsman GT 5000 Garden Tractor, 25 HP,

Depending on your engine.. Briggs and Stratton or Kohler there are 2 different seat switches that are used to power the PTO clutch. The seat switch can cause the PTO clutch to disengage anytime there is not at least 70 lbs in the seat.

The PTO drive wiring has a 30 amp fuse in it. If by chance a stick went through the belt and tore off the wires at the PTO clutch (Common failure) even after you repair the broken wire you still need to replace the fuse.

Check the PTO clearance gap. It should be 0.012 dis-engaged. Any other value and the clutch will not work correctly. Adjust the clutch if necessary.

There is a 2 pin Pigtail just off of the PTO Clutch that you need to check for voltage at the connector. Probe the back of the wires if you can and your looking for 12V DC under the following conditions.

BRAKE ON or tied down
KEY ON
SEAT (Briggs and Stratton engine only) Someone needs to be sitting on the seat.

Then Pull the PTO Switch out. You should hear the PTO Clutch CLICK. If you hear the click there is no need to check voltage. The PTO switch is a multi function switch and it is quite possible the PTO switch failed. I doubt that the PTO Clutch has failed as they normally give you some kind of noisy indication that they are failing and don't fail straight away.

So.. In short
Check PTO Switch (Red wires) to usually red or brown thru the switch
Check 30 amp fuse
Check PTO clutch wires near PTO clutch (They get torn from something traveling through the pulley)
Check PTO clutch clearance at 0.012
Check Brake switch for an audible click as you depress it some distance No click.. possible bad switch
Listen for Seat switch Click as you slowly add weight to the seat. No Click or any click and it can still be suspect due to the Briggs and Stratton installed engine ones have more than one function.. Ignition and PTO clutch power.

The actual wiring diagram is on page 35 of the owners manal that can be found here:
http://www.managemylife.com/mmh/owner_manuals/27245/CRAFTSMAN-Lawn,-Tractor-L9910386?brand_name_search=917273023

Lastly... check each of the mower deck blade bearings. A seized bearing can cause PTO problems.

Hopefully you have enough information to solve the mystery. If not just respond here and I will help you.

Thanks for choosing FixYa.

Kelly

Testimonial: "Kelly - Your troubleshooting info helped me determine the PTO switch, mower belt and 30 Amp fuse were good. Solution: New battery fixed it. Thx! - Tom"

SOURCE: craftsman riding lawn mower won t cut grass

Does it die when you attempt to engage the cutting deck? If so the you might have a clogged fuel filter, bad gas, dirty air filter, bad spark plug.
Or the mower engage switch may be faulty. They are located in different places on different mowers. But should be attached somewhere along the main pivot of the engage lever. Let me know if you need more assistance. Good Luck!!