I've got a Craftsman 917.253530 deck. The same deck it appears, but with 3 extra pulleys. What a nightmare. The mule pulleys are under and to the rear of the engine, 2 mounted to the rear of the deck then a linkage from that bracket to do the deck break Assy for the deck drive pulley. Talk about a b●♧¥☆¿ to change the deck belt. I wish they had stayed with the front mule. Nothing but headaches. Craftsman 14/6, 42"cut
That was an unpleasant deja-vu. I have a 76 ss18w/48" deck and although its a ball-buster to get off and on it does a good job and pretty quick too. However i had the same issues with the tension spring in taller grass and it can ball up at the chute due to a brace underneath.i thought about cutting it out but didnt. I think i may try a shorter belt next time to see if i can get better tension on that pulley. Another thing that drives me nuts is the deck height. When i mow i have the deck raised clear up or at most, one notch from the top and thats as low as i go or i'm chopping it to the yellow grass. How that is i dont know but its irritating to have 4or5 more slots but can't use them or I'm in the dirt. I do run my air pressure on the low side just to help soften the ride but it only takes an inch or so away from the ride height. I love the tight turn radius on the ol girl and the angles of the front tires as you turn. The named after some guy and basically lays the inside tire way open while turning. I can turn as tight as it will turn and even on gravel the tires don't push outwards.. they keep the circle tight and almost come around in the same track. Even tho its old you can still appreciate alot of its charm. Ive thought about a smaller pulley on the top of the deck would maybe get blade rpms up which would help the cut but its been good enuff so far. Thanks for the video.
Yep, the gator blades are good mulches but like he said, a lot of grasssss build up. A good puddle of water will clear it out quickly, just engage slowly till clean.
Somehow lost what I was typing, not my week. Anyhow my sears ss16 twin only cutting with center blade. I pulled apart and found nothing broke. Cleaned everything up that was packed under cover and greased at fittings. Why is only one blade working? What is the purpose of the pulley on the spring? It was difficult to move by hand, but upon squeezing belt together that spring pulls moved with ease. Is there an adjustment to tighten the deck belt? Thanks.
Probably the belt that drives the blades is too stretched, or the outer mandrels are siezed or sluggish turning, or the belt tensioner which is the pulley with the spring is not putting enough tension on the pulley. Could be that the belt is routed incorrectly too. There are free manuals at www.searstractormanuals.com
@@crankysports thanks for the response. I just got the blades sharpened and going to put back together and try. I was shocked belt nor spring broken. It was packed with grass and dirt. Even grass between belt and pulley. Hoping clean up is all I needed. Hey, in your video you show the one pulley was loose. How did you fix that?
Yeah, once in a while they’re more work than I want to do, but boy it cut nice afterwards. Just need to level the deck again, it’s a little off after the gauge wheel bracket because it doesn’t sag anymore. Maybe this fall I’ll pull t al apart again, degrease, wire wheel, weld, prime and paint. It should be good for many years after that. I sold two really good decks last year, can’t keep them all, but man it always sucks when you need parts to not have them.
83 is the drive belt length for the trans. I believe the blade belt is 1/2x87 and the mower pto belt is either 101 or 103 depending on your PTO pulley size
I've got a 10 with the same deck that's not been used hardly at all. Glad to see all the hints. Love your repair shares.
Thanks for the feedback :)
I've got a Craftsman 917.253530 deck. The same deck it appears, but with 3 extra pulleys. What a nightmare. The mule pulleys are under and to the rear of the engine, 2 mounted to the rear of the deck then a linkage from that bracket to do the deck break Assy for the deck drive pulley. Talk about a b●♧¥☆¿ to change the deck belt. I wish they had stayed with the front mule. Nothing but headaches. Craftsman 14/6, 42"cut
Looking good !!!!!! Those Onans purr !!!!!!
I love onans
Ah the short process of getting to that belt lol I know that one all too well myself! Great job on that deck brother James it mows so nice n quiet.
Yeah, I have two good quiet decks. I keep them well greased. I’ve had this one apart 3 times already this year.
Thanks for the 📷 video.
Anytime :) trying to get back to some tractor stuff. Gotta do more on the car as well though.
That was an unpleasant deja-vu. I have a 76 ss18w/48" deck and although its a ball-buster to get off and on it does a good job and pretty quick too. However i had the same issues with the tension spring in taller grass and it can ball up at the chute due to a brace underneath.i thought about cutting it out but didnt. I think i may try a shorter belt next time to see if i can get better tension on that pulley. Another thing that drives me nuts is the deck height. When i mow i have the deck raised clear up or at most, one notch from the top and thats as low as i go or i'm chopping it to the yellow grass. How that is i dont know but its irritating to have 4or5 more slots but can't use them or I'm in the dirt. I do run my air pressure on the low side just to help soften the ride but it only takes an inch or so away from the ride height. I love the tight turn radius on the ol girl and the angles of the front tires as you turn. The named after some guy and basically lays the inside tire way open while turning. I can turn as tight as it will turn and even on gravel the tires don't push outwards.. they keep the circle tight and almost come around in the same track. Even tho its old you can still appreciate alot of its charm. Ive thought about a smaller pulley on the top of the deck would maybe get blade rpms up which would help the cut but its been good enuff so far. Thanks for the video.
These decks work pretty good as long as you keep blades sharp, and deck adjusted
I take my deck out from under my Snapper 54" ztr twice a year and give it a good pressure washing underneath... Easy- peasey
I have to clean mine once a month in the summer.
Was there ever a way to make a "Mulching Kit" for these "Low Profile" 44" Decks?
This is a 42” deck, you could buy the gator blades. I don’t know about 44” deck- Sears only had 42 and 48
Yep, the gator blades are good mulches but like he said, a lot of grasssss build up. A good puddle of water will clear it out quickly, just engage slowly till clean.
Somehow lost what I was typing, not my week. Anyhow my sears ss16 twin only cutting with center blade. I pulled apart and found nothing broke. Cleaned everything up that was packed under cover and greased at fittings. Why is only one blade working? What is the purpose of the pulley on the spring? It was difficult to move by hand, but upon squeezing belt together that spring pulls moved with ease. Is there an adjustment to tighten the deck belt? Thanks.
Probably the belt that drives the blades is too stretched, or the outer mandrels are siezed or sluggish turning, or the belt tensioner which is the pulley with the spring is not putting enough tension on the pulley. Could be that the belt is routed incorrectly too. There are free manuals at www.searstractormanuals.com
@@crankysports thanks for the response. I just got the blades sharpened and going to put back together and try. I was shocked belt nor spring broken. It was packed with grass and dirt. Even grass between belt and pulley. Hoping clean up is all I needed. Hey, in your video you show the one pulley was loose. How did you fix that?
I think I put a new bolt and another washer on it- that was a while ago
Is the mound in the yard septic tank or leeching fields?
Leach field.
I'm in the process of fixing up a 42 deck myself. Where do you buy you're blades? Any part numbers would be appreciated.
eBay- you can get a free manual at searstractormanuals.com and look up the part number, then search ebay
Took way more time the it should have lol. Been there before like with everything I do
Yeah, once in a while they’re more work than I want to do, but boy it cut nice afterwards. Just need to level the deck again, it’s a little off after the gauge wheel bracket because it doesn’t sag anymore. Maybe this fall I’ll pull t al apart again, degrease, wire wheel, weld, prime and paint. It should be good for many years after that.
I sold two really good decks last year, can’t keep them all, but man it always sucks when you need parts to not have them.
What the size belt you get
The 42” mower uses a 1/2”x87” bet I believe
What size belt did you get i got a 5/8 83' but feel its a little small
83 is the drive belt length for the trans. I believe the blade belt is 1/2x87 and the mower pto belt is either 101 or 103 depending on your PTO pulley size
@@crankysports thanks
I'm no
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