I have a craftsman model 917.254241 38 inch lawn tractor. I replaced the drive belt with the correct size belt (1/2" x 90" not OEM) but now the tractor can only be shifted when the engine is not running. The clutch seems to work OK. I believe this is a belt fit problem. Is there a way to adjust the tension on the drive belt?
Or is it necessary I get OEM?

Could you double check that model number, I could not find that one. I do recommend OEM belts but a correct replacement, any brand, should work without adjustment. Where did you get the belt dimensions from?

Hi,
I too recommend OEM belts as most are custom fractional lengths, sheathed and have the reinforcing fibers located within the belt for the application.
That said the symptom that you describe is that of a too-short belt that is not fully releasing tension when clutch is depressed. There are some places that can cross the part number, not measure the belt, and tell you what it is. Genetally a service supplied to professional customers and not publicly facing.
Peace,
Clarke

I have a craftsman model 917.254241 38 inch lawn tractor. I replaced the drive belt with the correct size belt (1/2" x 90" not OEM) but now the tractor can only be shifted when the engine is not running. The clutch seems to work OK. I believe this is a belt fit problem. Is there a way to adjust the tension on the drive belt?
Or is it necessary I get OEM?

The model # above is correct. The manual also includes model 917.254243. This is an old tractor since my father-in-law bought it used in 1993. I bought the belt (Good Year #84900) from Auto Zone. I replaced the belt once before without problems. That belt was #4L900 which Auto Zone could not cross reference. I do realize the symptom indicates a belt that is short.

Clarke will finish this off, my records just don't seem to cover this model. Your manual should provide the exact dimension of this belt, does it say 1/2 x 90"?

Hi,
I found the correct part # to be 125907x which is either a 1/2" x 90 1/4" or 1/2" x 90 1/2" belt depending on which division you reference within the parent company. It seems to cross to either a 265-057 or 265-975 depending on what you believe.
To see this go to the below URL and input the part number and look carefully at the numbers being mindful of the fact that extra numbers at the beginning and hyphens may need to be ignored:
Lawn Mower Parts Cross-Referencing (http://www.hyperparts.com/wc.dll?ctwp~getxref~1001~1003~1)
Peace,
Clarke

That would make sense, the OEM is 90.5 and the Auto Zone is 90" Nice job Clarke.

It appears my belt is too short. With a 90" belt does 1/4" make a difference?
The Cross Reference url is a good one. Thank you both of your help.

I was looking for the deck belt for the 971.254243 and came across this thread.

My problem is that we got the Craftsman belt 106085X, which is the part# for the belt. I appear to have gotten it on correctly, but I can't fit it AND get the engagement wheel back in place... it's one or the other.

What I'm specifically looking for is the belt diagram for the dumb thing.

BTW, I found a link to all of the Deck (blade) and Drive (trans) belts for Sears/Craftsman lawn tractors of this genre:
http://www.magazooms.com/pages/71220090004/080505151847/packages/90420073434/package/pdf/90420073434_20.pdf

Thanks,
-- Matt

Hi,
Mattit, I looked up your model at searspartsdiect.com (with 917 instead of 971) and the 106085x is the deck belt. Your link did not work and I have no idea where you may have gotten it.
Sears says your drive belt changes over to the very one we have been discussing, 125907x, which happens to be 11" longer approx.

Ed D, Yes a fraction of an inch can make a significant difference. I happen to believe the 90 1/2" number by the way as I have since verified it three other places (and got the 90" dimension from some sources I do not trust.) There is no adjustment, so "what you got is what you got."

To explain a bit, the belt company engineers (called power transmission engineers) are called in at the end of the design process and allowed to measure for themselves so that their companies can bid on producing the belt. There are only a handful of "players" in the market and bids are competitive. No they do not design a mower around the belts; it works the other way around.
Peace,
Clarke

Hi,
Looked around though I could not find your manual, I did find one slightly newer with the same "crappy" picture, and some better ones. First is closest, second is part of parts list and third is a slightly newer version.
Peace,
Clarke

Clarke your wife was wrong you sure know your stuff. LOL

Hi,
Mattit, I looked up your model at searspartsdiect.com (with 917 instead of 971) and the 106085x is the deck belt. Your link did not work and I have no idea where you may have gotten it.

Sears says your drive belt changes over to the very one we have been discussing, 125907x, which happens to be 11" longer approx.

Peace,
Clarke

Actually the 106085X "Engine to Deck Primary Drive Belt" was the correct one I needed. It is the belt that engages the blades, not the back axle. I also discovered I was routing the belt on the wrong side of the tension wheel.

To find the link I posted, just do a search on the model# I originally posted.

-- Matt

Hi,
Well, Matt you were unclear and posted on top of a transaxle post. I have the deck picture locally and soon to be on a new website dedicated to just belt diagrams. I had to look those others up.
Your model # has the "1" and the "7" transposed. "917" is the AYP division's (of Electrolux) Sears vendor designation.
Peace,
Clarke