Craftsman Lawn Tractor: How do I replace the Transaxle Variation Belt?
How do I replace the Transaxle Variation Belt?
My Craftsman 42" Lawn Tractor (Model # 917.203901) will not move forward or backward, and the Drive Belt is fine.
I have found that the Transaxle Variation Belt has shredded and come off in pieces.
My novice understanding is that this belt is turned by the transaxle to set the speed/gear commanded by the foot pedal. This belt then turns the rear drive pulley that makes the mower move at the commanded speed/direction.
Or maybe vice versa, but it obviously is the belt that allows the mower to move at different speeds/gears.
There is all kinds of info, videos, etc on replacing the Drive Belt, but I can't find a single source for replacing the Transaxle Variation Belt.
Not even the Sears helpline seems to be able to provide any info. They are sending me a new belt, but they did not have any info on how to replace it.
Thanks!
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11 Comments
@vharbuck what model is your Craftsman? I am a bit confused by this. Craftsman uses a lot of Hydrogear tranaxles and on those The input shaft and pump cylinder block are turned in one direction only by the engine/drive belt/pulley combination. I do not see any other belt. Can you post some images of where this belt sits and what it drives? Use this guide Adding images to an existing question for that
by oldturkey03
@oldturkey03 , I added photos... it's item 2 on the Tranaxle diagram. thanks.
by Henry V Harbuck
My novice understanding is that this belt is turned by the transaxle to set the speed/gear commanded by the foot pedal. This belt then turns the rear drive pulley that makes the mower move at the commanded speed/direction.
by Henry V Harbuck
Or maybe vice versa, but it obviously is the belt that allows the mower to move at different speeds/gears.
by Henry V Harbuck
Amazingly, there is absolutely nothing online about replacing this belt, but there are lots of videos about replacing the main drive belt.
It seems this would be covered under warranty since apparently it is a rare failure item, but Sears said it was not covered.
by Henry V Harbuck
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