My Craftsman riding lawnmower blades would not disengage when finishing mowing. I pulled the lever down into the disengage position, but the blades kept mowing. I pushed the lever back up to the engaged position and the lever did not seem to be loose or unattached. Other than that the mower is running fine. Just need to know how serious of a problem I have as to whether I should have it hauled into the mechanic shop or whether it is something simple. Widow age 70. Grant County, KY

Do you have someone near you that can inspect the belts on it? If something that got in there has changed the tension on the belts that would keep it engauged. When the lever is pulled all the way to the "release" position what should be happening is the belt becomes loose and no longer turns the blades with any force.

I agree so far. Try disengaging the blades and then drive into some tall grass. Does the blade stop spinning and stay stopped?

Hi,
It has the potential of being a safety hazard for you. I will attach a graphic and describe what the problem probably is and the cure.
In the drawing item #8 is the pivoting engagement arm which pivots on spacer #30 held to bracket #28 by bolt #26 and nut #3. With the engine off, the arm can likely be forced into the disengaged position and the bolt and nut removed. The spacer and arm can be removed and separated. The spacer can be cleaned of dirt/corrosion with sandpaper or emery cloth (it has a stepped feature on the bottom side that is the actual pivot point.) It can be lubed sparingly before reassembly, but not too much so as not to attract dirt quickly. It can be reassembled and should work again.
On older decks the bracket is not separate and the bolt goes through the deck shell itself. The procedure is the same except what is the spacer will actually be a large washer and a cylindrical spacer beneath it in the arm pivot point. Cleaning is done the same basic way with sandpaper.
If you have a handy and kindly neighbor with tools, it requires 9/16" wrenches or sockets and ratchets to do disassemble and reassemble and sandpaper for the cleaning. A small bit of grease, or better anti-seize, for lube if desired.
Peace,
Clarke