I had a similar problem with my LT1000 after the winter: engine started and ran but the blades wouldn't engage.
You need to drop the deck.
There are about 7 cotter pins holding it in place. It will help first to lower the deck, then to raise it after releasing the cotter pins. Then you can slide it out to the side.
Take a picture of the belt and pulleys running from the crankshaft under the motor and the path around the pulleys.
This will be a good chance to sharpen or replace the blades.
Check that the pulleys and blade spindles spin well.
Take more pictures for reassembly.
There are four springs which give resistance while engaging the blades, another that counteracts to release the blades and engage the brakes on the blades, and then a spring on each of the brakes. Check that everything slides well. Disassemble, clean rust and lubricate as necessary. In my case there was rust here and there that needed to be cleaned before the pieces would slide. Spent some time scraping and lubricating - plus running to get a new spring at the hardware store, before getting back into action.
As others have pointed out, check the seat spring and the actual cable to the clutch. The hardest part may just be figuring out how to drop the deck. Good luck.
This was a hand-me-down mower that hadn't received use in a couple of years.
SOURCE: need a manual for a LT1000 craftsman 19 1/2 HP 42 inch mower deck
You can download a free copy at www.managemyhome.com or you can go to www.searspartsdirect.com and buy a copy along with look at the diagram that you need.
Good luck!
SOURCE: Craftsman 18.5 riding mower when I engage the
craftsman decks have a positive stop adjustment for the decks. A spring atached to the blade ingadgement arm pulls the tension pully into position if the cable is rusted inside the sleeve it wont put enough pull on the ingadgment pully and thus the blades dont spin full force the belts on the mowers have no adjustments only the pully . second thing is you may want to drop the deck and clean around that pully by scraping any rust off the surface under the pullys slide good luck
SOURCE: how to install mower deck belt on a lt1000 craftsman riding mower
The manual will cover it.
http://www.disruptit.com/manuals/L0104168.pdf
SOURCE: Craftsman LT1000 tractor not moving
hello otto i would check the belt that runs to the rearend but the brakes could be also froze up i would try to jack it up & see if it will move then go from there
SOURCE: Craftsman riding mower blades will not engage
maybe the safty switch under seat might be starting to go out if that switch doesn't work the blades wont come on at all for safety
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