I have a old 1997 5HP Craftsman snow blower Model 536886440, My question is With the hand clutch disengaged the drive belts still pull, It make's it hard to start and you do not have to squeeze the clutch to move or to blow snow. The belts are very loose over the motor drive pulley and the idler pulleys are disengaged but it still will move the machine and blow snow.

How long has it been like this? Any chance someone install a belt that's undersized?

Wrong belt. No question. Lawn belts are usually green. If the belt has grooves it's not suitable for clutches.

Go to Dayco - MarkIV - Automotive Worldwide Website (http://www.dayco.com) and look up the belt for your snowblower. Head to the local NAPA store with the Dayco number. They will XREF that to a Gates belt and it will e cheaper.

You can also use Parts & Accessories | Shop & Find Lawn & Garden, Appliance Parts at Sears PartsDirect | SearsPartsDirect.com (http://www.searspartsdirect.com) to order a belt.

How long has it been like this? Any chance someone install a belt that's undersized?

Just bought this used 2 weeks ago

Wrong belt. No question. Lawn belts are usually green. If the belt has grooves it's not suitable for clutches.

Go to Dayco - MarkIV - Automotive Worldwide Website (http://www.dayco.com) and look up the belt for your snowblower. Head to the local NAPA store with the Dayco number. They will XREF that to a Gates belt and it will e cheaper.

You can also use Parts & Accessories | Shop & Find Lawn & Garden, Appliance Parts at Sears PartsDirect | SearsPartsDirect.com (http://www.searspartsdirect.com) to order a belt.

Makes sense I bought this used and the person had obviously hacked this snow blower up I had to put back together.

I'd spend less than $9 and get the owners manual. It will show parts and numbers as well as other info. You are luck its still in print. Model #536886440 | SearsPartsDirect.com (http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/searchByPartDescAction!searchByPartDescription.pd? brandId=0247&productCategoryId=1507200&modelNumber=536886440&backToLink=Return+to+Sub+Components+list&partDescription=manual)

How long has it been like this? Any chance someone install a belt that's undersized?

Big chance yes wrong belt

I'd spend less than $9 and get the owners manual. It will show parts and numbers as well as other info. You are luck its still in print. Model #536886440 | SearsPartsDirect.com (http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/searchByPartDescAction!searchByPartDescription.pd? brandId=0247&productCategoryId=1507200&modelNumber=536886440&backToLink=Return+to+Sub+Components+list&partDescription=manual)

My mistake not wearing glasses Part # is 536-909400 this converts to sears 49570 belt or a gates 6835 and the belts on the machine are not green

So for another $16 you got a belt and a manual. 248-037 - 1/2 X 37 - Stens Part 248037 - True-blue Belt. Replaces OEM: SIMPLICITY, 2176917, GATES, 6837, MTD, 9540255, DAYCO, L437, BUNTON, PL0020, AYP, 8225R, CUB CADET, 487994R1, CUB CADET, IH487994R1, ARIENS, 07210500, BOBCAT, 128005, TROY BILT, 1 (http://www.m-and-d.com/ST-248-037.html)