Mower drive belt problems!?

[dart451]

I'm working on a Craftsman tractor, 917.275821...ordered a new belt 144959 supposed to be a 95" belt. I even measured the belt and it comes up to 95". So, I did have trouble getting the belt on...seemed to tight. Anyway, I cannot get the mowing deck to disengage. It disengages when I stop the engine, and usually when I start, the blades aren't turning...but if I tough the throttle or touch the engagement bar at all, it engages and stays engaged till I shut it off! I've had the mowing deck disconnected 3 times now, I can manually disengage the pulleys easily...nothing is binding...I even replaced the Return Idler spring and it didn't help. Again, it seems the belt is tighter than it should be in disengage mode. Haven't run into this problem before...usually, you install a new belt, you're good to go! Any suggestions? I'm thinking I need a longer belt!??

[BJ1010]

had one last year mower not disengageing the moveable idler was rusty,dirty would not release cleaned up worked ok.

[KE4AVB]

The 144959 is 95-1/2" not 95"

[dart451]

The 144959 is 95-1/2" not 95"

No the linkage isn't rusty and it's moving very freely...KE4AVB...would 1/2" make all that difference? My belt clearly says 144959...I was thinking of picking up a 96"...you think that would be a mistake?

[KE4AVB]

It can and I think 96" will be too loose. I have a MTD that uses a 77-1/2 belt deck belt. If you put on a 77" you can not disengage the deck and it actually overloads the engine when engaged.

On the subject of being label a particular part I have seen some mislabel belts in the past. Example of this was the 42-3/4 belt I was receiving intended to replace the 43.2" on a walk behind trimmer. In this range even 1/4" is a world of difference. I manage to get a 43" to work but took heavy mods to the brake location so the brake would loosen enough to allow the belt to slip in disengaged position.

[Fulltilt]

In addition, was that an OEM Craftsman / AYP belt ? Usually the only belts that give me problems are aftermarket , "replaces", belts. Some are great...others not so great.

[dart451]

Yes, this is an after market belt...not from Sears! Seems I haven't had problems in the past but I am having one this time! I will get a 95 1/2" belt then...thank you for your response...I probably would have been disappointed with with the 96"!

[Fulltilt]

[quote="dart451"]Yes, this is an after market belt...not from Sears! Seems I haven't had problems in the past but I am having one this time! I will get a 95 1/2" belt then...thank you for your response...I probably would have been disappointed with with the 96"![/quote ]

As I said, some are good... one brand that seems to work for me is PIX. Cheap and usually spot on.

[38racing]

and the usual question, are all the belt guides in place especially around the engine drive pulley.

[acscolo]

Go here for a belt cross reference by your part number: http://outdoorpowerinfo.com/belts/#result
It appears that part number 144959 has various lengths
I checked my usual parts suppliers. Their after market belt sizes for 144959 indicate a length of 95.5 inches except Oregon 95 3/8.
I would go with the Sears length of 95.5 for 144959.