I have a 917.273323 50" and I usually leave it at hi on the throttle and let out the clutch in neutral and then operate the speed with the right hand lever---my wife on the other hand leaves the right hand forward all the way and stops and starts by pushing the clutch in an out with her left foot. Well she turned it off in that position and I later started it and when I let out on the clutch (popped the clutch) I think I may have hurt the tractors ability to run---it will start----but it will not go forward or in reverse. Did I break the transmission or a gear in there?
Go to the sears web page & download the manual for your tractor.
It has a belt drive that works through a pair of tensioning pulleys and the worst that could have happened is the belt broke but most likely it has just jumped off one of the pulleys.
It is right up the top almost touching the undrside of the mower.
