Have craftsman 24HP automatic lawn tractor. This problem just started. When depressing the brake, clutch pedal (Left foot pedal), and releasing when released to almost top position (towards seat), drive belt makes chattering noise. Not in mower deck does this without deck on. If barley resting left foot on pedal or placed 1" block of wood between pedal and foot rest noise stops. Tractor moves fine in forward and reverse. Not drive belt brand new, and all pulleys seem ok. Seems like pedal is traveling too far up or towards foot rest. Cannot find any adjustment. This rod goes to belt pully to put hydrostatic in and out of gear. Forward and reverse are on other side. Rod also goes to transmission lever with spring. If I pull back on pedal towards operator makes chattering noise worst. Any thoughts on this problem? Sorry to be so vague. Will supply additional info. E-mail is mudmixer@yahoo.com. Thank You
You might check your mower spindle, mine broke several times, craftsman fail to put a part on this mower deck. its called a stripper plate part #174493, it took me 2 years to figure this out . I replaced this is the third time, I took the part off of my old 42 inch deck works like a charm, as it protects the ( mandrel housing part) #917.331131
Hope I can save you a headache
I have what seems to be the identical problem with the same mower, a 2011. 24hp, 42 inch deck, model 917.288561.
I have replaced the flat idler pulley thinking that was chattering but the sound is still there. I also replaced the drive belt. I'm just wondering if Mudmixer, the original poster, has found an answer or if anyone has an idea what to look at next. Thanks!
QUOTE=Mudmixer;153983]Have craftsman 24HP automatic lawn tractor. This problem just started. When depressing the brake, clutch pedal (Left foot pedal), and releasing when released to almost top position (towards seat), drive belt makes chattering noise. Not in mower deck does this without deck on. If barley resting left foot on pedal or placed 1" block of wood between pedal and foot rest noise stops. Tractor moves fine in forward and reverse. Not drive belt brand new, and all pulleys seem ok. Seems like pedal is traveling too far up or towards foot rest. Cannot find any adjustment. This rod goes to belt pully to put hydrostatic in and out of gear. Forward and reverse are on other side. Rod also goes to transmission lever with spring. If I pull back on pedal towards operator makes chattering noise worst. Any thoughts on this problem? Sorry to be so vague. Will supply additional info. E-mail is mudmixer@yahoo.com. Thank You[/QUOTE]
If your tractor is three years old or older replace both idler pulley's at transaxle, items 50 & 52, bearings are going in idlers. Also check, hands on, springs items 17 & 161 for replacement if they're stretched or distorted. Inspect brake rod for being bent as well as all parts underneath tractor for wear. Using your hands, check all parts, try moving everything from side to side and up and down. There should be a small amount of movement on all movable parts but not a lot of sloppy play. Lastly, lube with grease and oil squirt gun everything that is suppose to move making sure not to get on belts, if you do wipe off immediately with shop towel or rag. Apply grease to steering sector and pinion gears at lower end of steering column, same goes for mower deck.
Wow, great advice. I will get after it! Thanks much!
QUOTE=mechanic mark;177378]If your tractor is three years old or older replace both idler pulley's at transaxle, items 50 & 52, bearings are going in idlers. Also check, hands on, springs items 17 & 161 for replacement if they're stretched or distorted. Inspect brake rod for being bent as well as all parts underneath tractor for wear. Using your hands, check all parts, try moving everything from side to side and up and down. There should be a small amount of movement on all movable parts but not a lot of sloppy play. Lastly, lube with grease and oil squirt gun everything that is suppose to move making sure not to get on belts, if you do wipe off immediately with shop towel or rag. Apply grease to steering sector and pinion gears at lower end of steering column, same goes for mower deck.[/QUOTE]
If you don't have an online account with Sears parts direct, I suggest you get one. The online diagrams are awesome. And they blow up. All you have to do is sign up (like anything else online) User name & password BS. Once you have that and you're online with them, add you're mower. And that will bring up anything and everything about it.
NOTE: You'll need to also add your engine separately. That will allow you to see blown up diagrams on your carb, wiring, and everything else that's related to your engine...
I even have mine named. Since I have 3 different frames $ 3 different engines... One set of those is just parts for the other two...
Here's a little help: (but don't tell anyone) The part numbers are all listed with the picture of your part. I use that part number to search for cheaper parts on Ebay.. Saves me big bucks. My number two mower is just a project. So I don't want to spend a lot of money on it.
