Outdoor Power Equipment and Small Engines - Craftsman Automatic transmission not engaging

I have a Craftsman lawn tractor (917.272264) with hydrostatic transmission. I disengaged the transmission using the lever on the back to move the tractor and left it disengaged for a few weeks while I repaired the engine. The problem is that now the transmission will not engage! The belt is moving the pulley and I can see the disc brake turning according to the speed I set on the foot pedal but the wheels do not move. The transmission was working fine before I disengaged it.

Is there anything I can do to re-engage it or do I need a new
transmission? Thanks for your help.

Check both rear wheel assemblies and make sure the drive key on the axle is in place and is not sheared. If either one of the drive keys is sheared the unit will not drive. It's easy to check, just pull the dust covers off the axle at the wheels and engage the drive, if the axle spins inside the wheel assembly on either side, then the key is the problem on the side that spins....

I agree...if you had either of the rear wheels off, this is probably the problem. Usually the key is laying under the axle where it fell off during removal.

This is exactly what the problem was. One of the drive keys was missing and the wheel turned freely on the axis. Gor a new key and everything is fine now. BTW, the Craftsman parts service on the Sears website is unbelievable. All drawings and every single parts can be ordered. Takes a little while to get but seldom longer than a week. All I needed was a $2 part.

Thanks a bunch, you saved me from getting a new transmission!

Glad you got it! Thanks for the update. The missing axle key is a common problem when a wheel gets removed. It falls out easily, and isn't noticed.

I have a Craftsman lawn tractor (917.272264) with hydrostatic transmission. I disengaged the transmission using the lever on the back to move the tractor and left it disengaged for a few weeks while I repaired the engine. The problem is that now the transmission will not engage! The belt is moving the pulley and I can see the disc brake turning according to the speed I set on the foot pedal but the wheels do not move. The transmission was working fine before I disengaged it.

Is there anything I can do to re-engage it or do I need a new
transmission? Thanks for your help.

I had the same problem, I disengaged the transmission to push it out of the garage. I then did some minor repairs to the battery cables. Started back up ran for a while then transmission disengaged after about 30 minutes. Please help.

Sounds like your transaxle belt jumped off.

Hi. This mower is a few years old and runs fine for a few minutes, then there is a slight backfire and it shuts off. It takes a little finagaling to start it again. I have been reading about spark plugs but was wondering if it is more likely some kind of timing issue (with the small backfire). Like I said though, it runs fine for a few minutes (seems like a slight change in throttle will shut it off). Gas if fresh, air filter seems clean etc. I have also taken the plug out and cleaned it.
Thanks--

bstruss
It sounds like you may have a fuel problem. If it starts and seems to run good with the throttle in the choke position you may have some water in the carburetor.
Try to run the engine with the air filter off. Sometime when the air filter gets saturated with oil it may look good but the air can't get through it.

Okay, I will give that a try, but it seems more like an issue related to warming up?

rogerh (or anyone else), I think you may be right about a fuel problem. If there is water in the carb, is there an easy way to get it out (additive etc) without taking everything apart? Thanks--

If you have water in your carb. it would be in the float bowl. Look at your parts manual and if your mechanically inclined at all you should be able to take it down and clean the bowl.
You could try a little HEAT. It is designed to absorb water but I have had little luck with it. Because the water that gets in the carb usally causes rust and a milky scum in the carb.

Try a new plug for the sake of it. These are notorious for spark plug problems for some reason.