I recently had to drop the mowing deck to replace the center baffle blade on a YT4000 Model No: 917288570. However, when the mowing deck was put back together, the blade engagement cable was too loose causing the mowing deck belt not to be tight enough to move the blades. The blade engagement cable being the one that connects the engine bay to the mowing deck. How do I tighten the blade engagement cable so the belts will tighten and allow the mowing deck to mow?

Was the cable put back onto the anchor point on the deck before the cable end was attached. It will never tighten if either is not attached as required.

The cable was disconnected from the mowing deck.The deck was removed and then reinstalled.The cable was reattached to the belt pulley and then screwed down onto the mowing deck.At this point, the belt is completely slack and I don't see how the tension can be adjusted.

Might there be more than one point the cable cover could be anchored to? Meaning it was anchored to the wrong hole?

The Craftsman deck I have the anchor is a fixed mount on the deck. With the inner cable to the sliding mount the tensioner pulley is mounted.

If there is no other place it could have been attached... follow the cable back to the engagement lever, make sure the cable hasn't come loose at the other end.


As a second thought.....check your belt routing a second time...make sure it hasn't slipped off any of the other pulleys. I've had that happen a couple times...

Smoothy, I'm trying to upload pictures, but I'm having trouble with the Bluetooth connection. Perhaps, I'll be able to get them uploaded later.

OK... I'm willing to bet its something easy... and obvious once we identify it.

Is the spring for the pulley engagement arm attached properly? Is there tension?

According to the manual, the belt is routed properly.The spring is attached to the pulley engagement arm and the cable is bolted down to the mowing deck.However, the spring is loose enough to move side to side - so no tension.When the blade engagement cable is reattached to the mowing deck, should there be tension in just getting it back on ?

If the lever to engage the blades is engaged.. there should be a lot on it... there won't be with it disengaged. The belt wouldn't slip if there was. And it has to or the blades would continue turning.

The spring or pulley may need further inspection, and if you have a manual I am sure that's where you look for the causes of lack of tension. Pulley's can get frozen, springs can lose tension. And belts can be stretched. What does your manual say?

After repeated eyeballing, I've come to the conclusion that there may not be anything wrong.When the blade lever is engaged, the belt tightens up and the blades move enough to cut.When the blade lever is disengaged, the belt loosens to the point of having almost 4 inches of slack. Is that normal ?It may be because it hasn't been used in 6 months, but when the blade lever is disengaged, there's a squeal as the blades spin down. Perhaps it's the belts slipping over the pulleys. Is that a problem ?Thanks for the help smoothy and talaniman !

Sounds about right.

One way to make sure they are actually adjusted tight enough... with the engine OFF, and best done when the engine is cold as well... engage the blades and see you can easily turn the blades. I'm guessing they don't.

Do not do this with a hot engine. Hot engines are prone to easily starting and its an extra safety measure.

With a cold engine and the blade engagement lever engaged, the belt is tight enough to move the blades.What would be the cause of the noise on blade spin down ?Could that be the pulleys needing to be lubricated ?

If the blades turn easily with it engaged... something needs adjusted. They should be somewhat difficult to turn.

Noise on spindown... Its hard to guess without hearing it. If its older, you could be dealing with worn bearings in the spindle housings (you usually replace the spindle assemblies on many types). With the blades disengaged they should turn smoothly and easily.. without any rattling or movement in any direction. You can check the idler pullies the same way.

What does the manual recommend?