Top 20 Craftsman 20 hp 42 in. Deck Lawn Tractor - CA Model Questions & Answers

Question edited for full make model (what it is). Question moved from Cars and Trucks. Sounds like one side of the gear selector cable is slack. https://www.google.com/search?q=Craftsman+yard+bug+500%2C+not+moving+forward ..

tune up.

Hopefully this is like your mower Item 56 is your belt maybe it will be of some help.

Make sure belt is installed like drawing.

is it a twin cylinder? check to see if it blew one of the spark plugs out. look and see if there is any oil around the engine that looks fresh. it may have a broken connecting rod.

Maybe the wire to the seat switch came off or broke, or the switch came loose from vibration. Have you checked?

Briggs & Stratton engines typically take 48 ounces of SAE 30 oil. Kohler engines typically take 64 ounces (2 quarts) of 10w30 oil. Always refer to the dipstick to ensure proper amount is added and do not over fill.

Disconnect the switch see if it will start... also make sure that the seat is pushing down enough to make the switch effective... unless it's a defective switch

Check the crankcase vent to make sure it is clean It is the hose and plate on the engine that goes to the carburetor

check the belt make sure its on and not broke be sure brake is off all the way if its hydro check disengage lever

SearsPartsDirect will let you download one

did you put the blades on right ??? they have a star pattern and it needs to be lined up correctly... if that's ok does the belt have a bad spot in it or is the engagement mechanism operating correctly ???

in INCH pounds 220 that's inch pounds, not foot pounds valves adjust at .004~.006

you need to provide the model number of the engine.

If you think your riding lawn mower has blown a fuse, trying to locate that fuse may be the most challenging step in replacing it. While different lawn mower manufacturers have located the fuse holder in different areas of the lawn mower, the best place to start looking is near the mower's battery, according to Sears. Some manufacturers have made it easy to find the fuse holder. Simply lift the hood. The fuse holder is molded into the metal right inside the hood, near the battery. (See photo at Ref. 3, p. 53) If the battery is located beneath the seat, you may find the fuse holder located beneath the rear fender. Other manufacturers make it more challenging, placing the fuse inside an electrical box, located behind the mower's upper air baffle. (Ref. 4, p. 28) Fuses can also be located on or close to the edge of the mower's electrical panel, above the solenoid. If you check these locations and still cannot find the fuse holder, check your operator's manual for a diagram of the electrical system, which should display the fuse's location. If you no longer have your manual, it may be available online through the manufacturer's website. Should you be unable to find a manual, call a local lawn mower dealership or lawn mower repair shop and ask for assistance in locating the fuse in your exact model.

It is likely that the pto engagement cable has broke and needs to be replaced. Lower the deck all the way down. With the engine off, kneel on the right side of the mower. look under the mower and find the end of the cable on the deck. It will be near the center rear of the deck and will have a spring on the end of the cable. Once the cable is located reach up and operate the pto lever and watch the cable. The end of the cable should move with the lever, pulling the idler pulley back and tightening the belt. If this movement does not happen replace the cable.

No habla espaniol..........

if you can provide the model number (usually under the seat), I might be able to pull up a diagram.

Sorry, sears for some reason doesnt like to post all of the manuals for Canadian models for some reason. Search for the manual for 917.276680, it looks to be similar to yours, but engine different (engine would have it's own manual anyways).

Your blades engage with a cable and the cable somewhere is bunched up. You will probably need a new cable.