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HomeRepair HelpCraftsman Mower RepairCraftsman Lawn mower not self propelling Repair
Craftsman Lawn mower not self propelling
If your Craftsman lawn mower is not self-propelling, the problem is usually in the drive system, not the engine. On a self-propelled mower not pulling, start with the most common cause, a worn or broken V-belt. If the belt cannot rotate the drive pulleys, the mower drive wheels will not turn. Next, check the drive pulley itself. A damaged pulley can keep the transmission from engaging the wheel assembly. After that, inspect the wheel assembly gears, since worn gears can prevent the transmission drive gear from grabbing the wheels. If the pulley is spinning while the mower is running but the wheels still do not move, the transmission or transmission assembly has likely failed and will need to be replaced. A mower traction cable problem is less common, but a broken or misadjusted traction control cable can also keep a lawn mower from self-propelling. RepairClinic.com makes it easier to track down the exact cause and fix a lawn mower drive belt problem fast. Enter your model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact Craftsman V-belt, drive pulley, wheel assembly, transmission, or traction control cable that fits your mower.
01 - Craftsman Lawn Mower V-Belt
The V-belt rotates the drive pulleys to drive the lawn mower wheels. If the V-belt is worn out or broken, the lawn mower wheels won’t turn. Inspect the V-belt for damage. If the V-belt is defective, replace it.
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02 - Craftsman Lawn Mower Drive Pulley
The drive pulley connects to the engine crankshaft. If the drive pulley is worn out or broken, the transmission won’t be able to engage the wheel assembly. Inspect the drive pulley for damage. If the drive pulley is defective, replace it.
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03 - Craftsman Lawn Mower Wheel Assembly
The wheel assembly has a set of gears which engage with the transmission drive gear. If the gears are worn out, the transmission won’t be able to engage the wheel assembly. If the gears are worn out, replace the wheel assembly.
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04 - Craftsman Lawn Mower Transmission
The transmission is powered by the drive belt, and the drive belt connects to the engine crankshaft. When the drive belt powers the transmission, the lawn mower wheels turn. To determine if the transmission is defective, observe the transmission while the lawn mower is running. If the transmission pulley is spinning, but the lawn mower wheels don’t turn, this indicates that the transmission is defective. The transmission is not repairable—if the transmission is defective, you must replace it.
Highly Likely
05 - Craftsman Lawn Mower Transmission Assembly
The transmission is powered by the drive belt, and the drive belt connects to the engine crankshaft. When the drive belt powers the transmission, the lawn mower wheels turn. To determine if the transmission is defective, check the transmission while the lawn mower is running. If the transmission pulley is spinning, but the lawn mower wheels don’t turn, this indicates that the transmission is defective. The transmission is not repairable—if the transmission is defective, you must replace it.
Highly Likely
06 - Craftsman Lawn Mower Traction Control Cable
The traction control cable might be broken or misadjusted. Check the traction control cable to determine if it moves freely. If the control cable does not move freely, try squirting a small amount of oil into the end of the cable to lubricate it. If lubricating the traction control cable is not effective, replace it.
Less Common
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Craftsman lawn mower not self-propelling?
How do I tell if the V-belt is causing my Craftsman mower drive wheels not to turn?
What does a bad wheel assembly look like on a Craftsman self-propelled mower?
How do I check the traction control cable on a Craftsman mower?
How do I find the right Craftsman self-propel drive parts for my mower?
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