Rear engine craftsman mower runs fine,but the mower deck does not engage when you lower the lever?it appears the belt is on the pulleys,help...

Mower deck on craftsman rear engine mower will not engage?mower runs fine.

Hi,
Does the idler that tensions the belt move when engaged? Many Craftsman mowers have a pivot for that idler arm that is a bolt through a shoulder spacer that is the point at which it pivots. It will get corroded and seize. This requires disassembly, sanding/cleaning and reassembly to remedy. A small bit of anti-seize compound would not hurt when reassembling.
Peace,
Clarke