Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): craftsman lawn tractor, craftsman lawn tractor, broken blade

Question
Hi John,
I have a Craftsman riding mower model# 917272021. I bought it used a couple years ago. I was mowing and my blades shut off, the engine runs fine and it goes into fwd and reverse but I can't get the blades to come on. What should I check first?

Answer
Hello Debbie:

From your Description and from Looking at the Breakdown of this Unit, it Sounds like; 1- a Broken Blade Belt. Replace the Belt. 2- the PTO Ground is Not Making a Good Connection. To View a Breakdown of this Unit Go to this Site Addy, http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/index.action and Enter the Model Numbers and Click Search. From this Page you can View Diagrams and Parts Lists for you Equipment Using the "View Sub Components" Section. The Following is a Basic File I Made for Checking the PTO (Blade Engagement). The Most Common Cause for this Problem is the PTO Ground. A Quick Ground Check is to Use Another Wire and Ground the PTO at the Harness Connection Nearest the PTO. Be Careful and Do Not Ground the HOT Wire. Use a Multimeter and Locate the Ground Wire. Clean the PTO Ground and All the Connections for the PTO Wiring Harness. If you have an Ohmmeter, Disconnect the Wiring Harness from the Front of the Clutch and Check the Resistance of the Clutch. You should have around 4 or 5 OHMs. If at or near Zero, the Coil has Shorted. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.

Respectfully

John