Please disregard this thread, there is no adjustment the only thing I see that could be the problem is the spring will get a replacement and see if that fixes it

You might look at the post just above the one in the thread that had been dead for 3-1/2 years. WHICH tractor? Saying "19.5 HP Craftsman Rider" is akin to saying Chevy V8

When a clutch begins to act this way, it usually indicates that the clutch has worn some and the standing air gap (between clutch stator plate and clutch rotor plate) has increased wider than the electric coil is able to draw the clutch parts into engagement from. The problem is aggravated by the fact that it requires more "effort" to draw the clutch into engagement, than to keep it engaged. The reason it will not engage after being engaged a while is due to all parts having gotten hot and expanded, thus making the already too wide gap............even wider, plus the fact that a hot clutch coil is less able to create a strong magnetic field (than when it is cool). Adjusting the air gap to .012" in some cases is all that is needed to restore operational performance. However, the detail you cite about that unidentified piece of rubber................might indicate that the clutch is suffering some other problems too. Accept the fact that PTO switches are not everlasting components also. The duty that the switch does is fairly demanding and therefore it is not unheard of for them to fail, especially when around 11 years old and already exposed to carrying a heavier load than normal. I'm not saying your PTO switch is causing your problem..........I'm saying that the switch may be right on the cusp of failure due to age and use. Regarding any potential changes in wiring, don't even think about it....unless you are a highly qualified automotive wiring technician. "Hot wiring" a PTO clutch is only used to determine whether (or not) a clutch is actually working. You never want to operate a PTO clutch in a "hot wired" condition. Since it seems that you are on the way to tinkering with this clutch, beware that there is an "anti-rotation" bracket or other means of holding the clutch assembly from turning................make certain you recognize that feature and get it mated back correctly when installing the clutch..........otherwise the clutch is gonna spin as an assembly and rip out all the clutch wiring in the process. You can find the official Warner clutch service and troubleshooting guide online.....free in PDF.

Old thread, let us fast forward to update it: Briggs now intentionally makes plastic carb throwaway small engines called Briggs EXi or "Just check and add oil" engines... No small Briggs for push/self propelled mowers have an iron sleeve now, not even Pro model engines have it anymore.. According to Briggs site there is none being built today, what iron sleeved engines left on the shelves is all there is left!! Pro 850 was the last to have it. All Kohler engines are made China. Briggs Vanguards are made in China. Kohler's head gaskets still fail (fixing my sons 3 yr old cub now) & also suffer oil seal leaks from poor machining today, all are made from cheap grade materials in China and won't last long anymore! Very soft aluminum & plastic abounds them. Regardless where anything is built it's made by people who never even knew nor do they care about our American pride or our history of quality or about the products longevity! Anyone 30yrs old and under today simply grew up replacing products not repairing them unless they were dirt poor like I was and always tried repairing first but hey it was the 60's and everything had nuts/bolts/screws then and was steel. So why would today's engines have so many problems only after a few yrs running when they once ran for many decades without majors? Well' it's called "Planned Obsolescence" and its a fact most corps have now adopted this. Google it to really understand it well if you never heard of it, you'll be so thrilled. So everytime I read about engines online I'm really glad I'm a pack rat and keep everything. Well' I keep stuff until problems show up so I still have my 76 B-100 8 speed Wheel Horse tractor with the cast iron Kohler K series engine. It's engine/trans has never been apart once and not reached its first ring job yet & if it ever does I'll never worry about it again in another 30+ yrs or in my lifetime at least. It still burns no oil and cuts just as good as anything today without any of the mechanical problems. Why people keep buying these junk newer mowers again & again instead of buying the old brutes for a fraction of the cost that have outlasted them all by several decades idk? Restoring these if needed, is a lot cheaper than new mowers now days and it's an all new cast iron brute again ready for decades of service! I see some very nice cast iron garden tractors on craigslist all the time. Real garden tractors because GT used to actually stand for Garden Tractor but now it's just a sticker slapped on them and they can't even run anything, example: My Wheel Horse runs 23 different implements including Generator, side sickle, snowblower, tiller etc... Visiting websites about old Wheel Horses, old JD's & old Cubs (non MTD) tractors etc..and everyone is bragging & very proud of their mowers longevity and still use them regularly, sold or scrapped their newer ones they bought just after a few yrs usage. Been there done that with a Husqvarna myself! Visit any site like this one about newer mowers and what you'll always find is its junk, its in the shop, motors bad after 3 yrs, hydro rear ends out second time around. I'll sue them all! Lemon Laws anyone??..ect.....lol Even the expensive Zero turns have very costly engine/hydro repairs I read about them and have friends who own them too. In fact I'm good friends with people who care for football fields and cemeteries here so I hear first hand but they are very fast cutters while they are problem free, rarely make a complete season without a shop visit though. Expensive upkeep no doubt. Sorry but its just ignorant to me to pizz away money for landfill delight. Simply amazing and very sad for the old crying indian too. Now that really shows my age huh? *Peace