GTH2548 drive spring broke and I replaced it. Tractor would not start. Replaced battery, start switch, seat switch and PTO switch. Tractor will now start and runs well. However, when PTO switch is engaged tractor stops and 30amp fuse in line breaks. All is good until PTO is engaged. Stumped here?? Could belt have hit something when spring failed?

Question edited for clarity.

First check the belt routing.

https://www.google.com/search?q=craftsman+yts4500+belt+routing+diagram

And PTO issues

https://www.google.com/search?q=craftsman+yts4500+PTO+does+not+engage

..

If you've checked all fuses and your seat safety switch and those are all good and working order what you probably have is either a switch failure or electric clutch failure. the electric clutch has a pigtail coming off of it, unplug that pigtail and check for voltage coming from the tractor to that PTO clutch. what you will do is set your brake, turn the ignition on but do not start the mower and check for voltage when you pull the PTO switch... if you have voltage there then it's definitely a PTO clutch those particular mowers have an electric clutch system

Check to see if juice is reaching the starter motor terminals and that it is grounded. If ground is ok and no juice then you will have to back trace all of the components in that circuit . Also check to make sure that all of the safety switches are in closed position when you go to start and run tractor.

The safety switch for the reverse is turning the engine off. A tractor is not in use daily, make sure you fill it with premium gasoline NO ETHANOL because it attrcts humidity and turns it into water after a while.

i hate to assume, but if the tractor is newer it has a electric PTO and a switch on the dash, most are a push/pull type knob, with the mower off pull know in and out and see if you can feel a click or step in the switch if not the switch may be bad also with mower off turn the key on and listen for a click from the PTO if you do and the switch is off it is broke and stuck in the on position, if your switch is a toogle switch up/down (flip switch) same theory just an other type, but either way unplus the wire plug from the switch and start up tractor and if blades are off you know you have a bad switch just replace with a new one..

With many of these Tractors, as part of the safety B.S., much of the electronics run through the PTO switch. Power to the ignition runs through the PTO.

check the wires they rub on sharp edges

Hi, is the deck engagement lever off or the pto switched off? If it uses a lever check the switch on the lever. If it uses a pto check the pto switch. Hope this helps, regards Phil.

Hi and welcome to FixYa. I am Kelly.

Here are the 3 safety switches.
Seat
Clutch Brake
and PTO Clutch

More ofthen than not the PTO Clutch gets a gap greater than 0.020 between the clutch and the clutch plate and the safety switch is not made. There are 3 bolts with springs and 3 slots in the PTO clutch. Adjust the tension on the springs until the gap is 0.020. Then try a start.

If it does not work:
Check out this diagram.. it is for your mower:
http://c.searspartsdirect.com/lis_png/PLDM/P0905008-00011.png

I found your particular model here: http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/Craftsman-Parts/Riding-mower-tractor-Parts/Model-917288030/0247/1509200/P0905008/00011?blt=06&prst=0&shdMod=917288030

Parts can be located by choosing the diagrams under the small schematic. I think if you adjust the clutch you will be fine. The seat has to be occupied / switch shorted and the clutch brake pedal made to get power to the solenoid.

Respond ehre is you need more help.... Better yet let me know if the PTO clutch adjustment corrected the problem.

Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly

You may either need a seat switch,pto switch or a park break switch.If the tracter is in nuetral with the park break set,it should start with out anyone on the seat,eliminating the seat switch.If you on the seat and the park brake is pushed and it wont start make sure the pto is off,if it is and nothing happens,then it's likely the parkbrake switch.Also check the connections on the battery,starter and engine block[ground].Let me know how you make out.