I have a new Craftsman model 917.28033 30" riding lawn mower. When I try to engage the blades the engine slows and stalls. I have tried engaging at full throttle while driving, and with the parking brake on at high throttle. I know it is something that I'm over looking. It was just delivered and I have tried reading the owners manual but still no luck. Does anyone have any ideas?

Is this a new mower? Just delivered could have meant from a repair shop? Need to check here

Did you engage the mower deck slowly?

Yes thanks for responding. It's new, delivered Wednesday. I did try to engage slowly, but it still stalls. I just got it up on some ramps and I noticed the blade is rather tight if I try to spin it with the clutch disengaged. I may go down to Sears again and check the blade on the floor model to see if it this tight.

How about one of those funky safety switches.

Read the manual and see where they are. Parts & Accessories | Shop & Find Lawn & Garden, Appliance Parts at Sears PartsDirect | SearsPartsDirect.com should have an exploded view.

Thanks to all. I found that the rear bagger has a safety switch and with the bad attached it was still not make contact. I added quarter inch piece of rubber to the bagger attachment and it works now. I need to get a permanent fix now.
Thanks again,
GreyGHOST

Hi,

I had the same problem with the engine stalling when the attachment clutch lever was engaged (new as delivered). I had to adjust the clutch cable bracket, "L" on page 24 of the manual. I loosened the attachment bolt, moved the bracket 1/4 inch toward the outer edge of the mower deck and tightened the bolt. The clutch then moved away from the blade drive pulley when the attachment clutch lever was engaged and allowed the blade to rotate.


Aacodude