Forgive me if this has been asked-and-answered before, but I could not find a prior discussion.
My Poulan PO17542LT tractor (mechanically identical to some Craftsman & Huskvarna models) has shifted "hard" since putting on a new drive belt. Symptoms are if left running with the parking brake engaged, the drive belt "smells/cooks" after 15 seconds or so. Clearly the belt is not moving but is also too taught against the drive pulley. Then, when running but stopped with the clutch fully depressed, I cannot move the shifter to any different gear, yet when the engine is off, the shifter moves easily between gears.
The only adjustment I can find is at the brake, adjusting the distance of the compressed spring. I have tried "tight" (1-3/8 inch) and the brake engages quickly while releasing the clutch causes an abrupt wheelie. Adjusting the brake rod "loose" (~2 inch) and there's no brake and no clutch... the tractor just keeps going moving and I can easily shift between gears with or without the clutch depressed.
Is there some other adjustment to get proper clutch/brake action? Or maybe a broken clutch-side part (the brake does operate properly)? Or maybe that rod adjustment at the brake really is that "sensitive"? I'd be grateful for any ideas.
My Poulan PO17542LT tractor (mechanically identical to some Craftsman & Huskvarna models) has shifted "hard" since putting on a new drive belt. Symptoms are if left running with the parking brake engaged, the drive belt "smells/cooks" after 15 seconds or so. Clearly the belt is not moving but is also too taught against the drive pulley. Then, when running but stopped with the clutch fully depressed, I cannot move the shifter to any different gear, yet when the engine is off, the shifter moves easily between gears.
The only adjustment I can find is at the brake, adjusting the distance of the compressed spring. I have tried "tight" (1-3/8 inch) and the brake engages quickly while releasing the clutch causes an abrupt wheelie. Adjusting the brake rod "loose" (~2 inch) and there's no brake and no clutch... the tractor just keeps going moving and I can easily shift between gears with or without the clutch depressed.
Is there some other adjustment to get proper clutch/brake action? Or maybe a broken clutch-side part (the brake does operate properly)? Or maybe that rod adjustment at the brake really is that "sensitive"? I'd be grateful for any ideas.