Craftsman garden tractor dies when clutch/brake released
jimorris77
10 years ago
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bill_kapaun
10 years agojimorris77
10 years agoRelated Discussions
Craftsman garden tractor/hydrostatic inop
Comments (1)Before you dig into the tranny, take off each rear tire and check the square keys that hold them to the shaft. I once sheared a key by shifting to reverse while still moving forward, and couldn't figure out why it wouldn't go. I found out when I was getting ready to remove the wheels to take the tranny out to service. Hope this helps....See MoreCraftsman - motor stops when clutch released
Comments (2)***"I have bypassed the seat safety switch"*** Most likely cause of problem is a defective or out of adjustment seat switch. If you have simply disconnected the seat switch wiring from the seat switch believing you are "bypassing the switch", that is erroneous. The seat switch connector in this tractor has a built in shorting shunt that acts exactly like an empty seat when it is not connected to the switch. The park brake switch permits the engine to run when the seat is not occupied (if park brake is set). So, when you let out on the clutch/brake pedal, the safety interlock configuration believes the seat is NOT OCCUPIED, and so kills the engine....See MoreCraftsman Mower deck (clutch) Won't engage
Comments (68)Hi All, Thanks for all the tips; you actually helped me solve my issue (the clutch did not engage). Two years ago, I decided to buy a “Portable Car Battery Charger” instead of keep buying new battery every winter, which apparently was the root-cause. I used the “Portable Car Battery Charger” to jump-start the tractor then disconnected it and start plowing but this year the clutch did not engage. Apparently, the clutch need some power from the battery and since my battery is dead it simple didn’t engage. So, as a "temporary solution" I ducted tape the “Portable Car Battery Charger” to the tractor hood and I keep it connected after the initial “jump-start” and the clutch (and me) are happy. Next week, I will get a new battery for the tractor and a “Battery Buddy” to keep the battery alive during the summers. Hopefully, this post will save others some time & $$...See MoreCraftsman Garden Tractor Transmission Issue
Comments (7)I had a similar issue with Sears Craftsman 5000 6 speed 25 horse garden tractor. Put it in gear an it wouldn't move. Checked drive belts, inspected gear linkage, drive belt tension. Mower deck operated fine. Checked all electricals suspecting possible electric clutch issue and finally settled that it was stretched drive belt, the woodruff key on the transaxle or a failed transaxle. I started to research cost of transaxles and discovered that searching by the replacement part number, I could find a new transaxle at half the cost of Sears parts. Then one more idea came to mind, the range selector lever might be disengaged. Went back to the machine and sure enough the range selector was half way between high and low range, disengaging the transmission. Ironically this lever is rather obscure in the user manual documentation and the ground drive parts schematic. My headache is gone and I saved over $700.00 in parts....See Morejimorris77
10 years agoKen Yolman
10 years agobill_kapaun
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9 years agotherd3
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9 years agoDIYDavid HELP
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agodepps6
8 years agoDIYDavid HELP
8 years agorasgar259
8 years ago
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