QuestionI have a 2002 Craftsman 25 HP 48” Mower. Tractor Model # 917.276020.Kohler Engine Model # CV730, type number 0017. My Mother in Law gave it to me and I'm trying to get it running again. She parked it two years ago because she broke the lower (Secondary) drive belt and didn't know what was wrong with it. I replaced the Belts, drained the fuel tank, put fresh fuel in the tank, and replaced the fuel line from the tank because it was soft. It appears that the fuel pump is not working because the inlet to the carb is dry. I put fuel into the line going to the carb and it would start for a second and then die again. As i understand it the fuel pump works off of a vacuum. How do i determine if this is the problem? And are there any other steps i should take since this mower has been sitting up for a while.
Update:
Ok,
I got it started. It was the Solenoid at the bottom of the carb. It was just stuck from sitting up. The solenoid is what operates the fuel pump in case anyone was wondering. Now have a new problem. Now that i got the engine running, I engaged the lower cutting unit and it killed the engine (because it was frozen). After a couple tries, it freed up enough to spin the blades.
However, its so stiff(I guess from the rust) that the brand new belts that i put on it are screeching and i can smell them burning. What should I do at this point? Is it possible that it will free itself up or do I need to tear down the belly and clean and lube all of the pulleys? Your help with this will be greatly appreciated. I'm trying to start a lawn service and eventually work my way up to a better mower.
AnswerWOW...did the mower sit with fuel? Been a while since I had a carb solenoid go bad.
I looked at your deck and the parts list shows a replacable upper bearing, part number 110485X, and the lower bearing comes with the shaft.
Can you identify if all the blades are binding or is just one or maybe the idler pulley bad?
If you are on a budget you can find bearing cheaper a bearing supply stores. These stores can be difficult to find where you live but if you have a bearing supplier near by you can take the old bearings with you and they can usually find replacements.
If you are in a hurray, identify which part is binding and just replace the whole part...more expensive for the part but a lot less labor.
I highly doubt the bearing will loosen up and belts can be pricey to replace so I would recommend fixing the deck.
You can see the mower parst list at Sears.com, under "Parts".
Let me know if this helps.
Eric
