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My grandson is having trouble with his craftsman mower belt. He said he was mowing his grass and the mower just quit moving.
The problem is with the belt or pulley. Problem is that I am 300 miles away and cannot see what it is doing.
It would be very helpful if I could find a diagram of the belt and pulleys so I might be able to talk to him and help him figure it out.
Mower model number is 917.254240 and serial number is 0147S09812.

Both of us will be very grateful.

DRIVE Diagram & Parts List for Model 917254240 Craftsman-Parts Riding-Mower-Tractor-Parts | SearsPartsDirect

It's possible the belt walked off the rear pulley. Have him look to see if it's still attached.

tigercat said:

DRIVE Diagram & Parts List for Model 917254240 Craftsman-Parts Riding-Mower-Tractor-Parts | SearsPartsDirect

It's possible the belt walked off the rear pulley. Have him look to see if it's still attached.

Click to expand...

Mine constantly does this. What could be causing it to do this? I've looked and looked and can't figure it out. It's a model #917.271131.

The belt had come off the pulley. He put it back but it broke again. He is shopping for a belt at this time.

Unfortunately, my grandson is not mechanically inclined nor is he too willing to learn. I live 6 hours away and am not able to be much help.

Thanks agin, pete

chucks59 said:

Mine constantly does this. What could be causing it to do this? I've looked and looked and can't figure it out. It's a model #917.271131.

Click to expand...

On my 5 year old Lawn tractor, sears omitted the belt guide that keeps the belt on the rear end pulley. They told me they don't come with belt guides any longer because the rear pulley is designed in such a way that it's no longer needed.

Sure........


I added my own belt guide to my machine.

I drilled 2 5/8" holes in the frame. I added two long bolts that just ride above and below the belt on the RH side of the machine. Now if the belt wobbles, the bolt above or below the rear pulley keeps the belt aligned, so it won't jump off the pulley any longer.
Screw Sears. they really pissed me off on this last tractor.



Repairs I did because of problems
Belts fall off. (Added homemade belt guides)
Deck dropped to the ground while mowing, bent the hangers and brackets (replaced pins on retaining arms, replaced brackets)
1 flat tire (bad valve stem) Added new stem
Head gasket replaced 2 years ago replaced gaskets and reset valves
3 bucket grass catcher broke (plastic too thin) $400 dollar unit, replaced with parts, then thru it all away when the replacement parts lasted 2 hours.
the arm (pot metal) under the hood that powers up the blade (PTO) broke 3 times. I made my own out of steel and it now works like it should


After all the repairs on a new garaged tractor, she runs great!

When drive belt replacement is required it's most important to remove deck & inspect everything under chassis. All hardware, brackets, springs, belt guides, etc. for being loose, cracked, missing, etc. by using a " hands on " approach. Idler pulleys should be replaced as bearings & pulleys do wear out. Using OEM original parts takes out the guesswork.

I corrected one that had those symptoms by rebuilding the idler bracket mounting/pivot assembly that becomes out of alignment, but I don't recommend this repair for a youngster that isn't mechanically inclined and not willing to learn.