Craftsmen 19.5hp 42" cut mower deck about 10 years old. Mower will start fine but when you try to push the lever to engage the mower deck knowthing happens? Put a new mower belt on but still doesn't move the blades. Lawn is getting tall need help! Help!!

One thought is is the belt on right?
Other is are the springs on the pulleys?
Another is check the linkage itself from lever to activating the pulley(s)

Since I don't have the actual manual handy this could be a mechanical problem meaning it's a physical movement not working properly OR
An electrical problem is the "switch" to engage blades. If its an electrical switch that's used here check actual switch for current. Also check for a safety switch on that line for a bad switch and or ground under the seat that can also effect the blades NOT to engage.

We think it may be the linkage lever to activate the pulley is this hard to fix and is there somewhere we can find on the internet for the description to fix it? Is that costly? Thank you for your info. Connie

I may be able to help better if I had the numbers of the mower.
Craftsmen 19.5hp 42" cut mower deck Doesn't tell me a lot. What's the actual mower itself.

I may be able to get your parts and operators manual for the motor also
For the engine list its

Model####
Type#####
Code ####

Other then that look for stuck linkage and WD 40 linkage ( don't get the belt wet )

Look for a loose nut/bolt and or pin. Another words look for "slop" in the linkage..

Need numbers here.