Repairs Craftsman 917.773754 Wheeled Trimmer Cutting Poorly

I received a used Craftsman wheeled trimmer that was partially disassembled. The prior owner was partway through replacing the drive belt. I've got it put back together but the cutting performance is poor. With the clutch engaged (pulled back to the handle) I am able to hold the front pulley in place with one hand and slide the belt with the other hand. This seems like inadequate belt tension. Having never seen it fully assembled I'm not sure if I have the clutch spring attached at the proper point, or perhaps the clutch cable needs adjusting, although I don't see anywhere to make the adjustment.

When the clutch is engaged the belt is still fairly wobbly and loose feeling.

If anyone knows how this should be arranged I'd appreciate it. Thanks.

Hard to tell much from the picture except the belt is obviously too loose. If it was me, I would take your model number and find the parts manual exploded view on line that shows how everything goes together. I betting you missed some detail that you must correct to get ti working right.

Here are a few links I found using your model number:
PARTS
https://www.ereplacementparts.com/c...eed-trimmer-parts-c-158286_187878_289893.html
USER MANUAL
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1220512/Craftsman-917-773747.html

Hope this Helps, Bob

platefire said:

Hard to tell much from the picture except the belt is obviously too loose. If it was me, I would take your model number and find the parts manual exploded view on line that shows how everything goes together. I betting you missed some detail that you must correct to get ti working right.

Here are a few links I found using your model number:
PARTS
https://www.ereplacementparts.com/c...eed-trimmer-parts-c-158286_187878_289893.html
USER MANUAL
https://www.manualslib.com/manual/1220512/Craftsman-917-773747.html

Hope this Helps, Bob

Click to expand...

Thanks. I've been doing just that and I think I've got the belt running incorrectly through the idler mechanism. Going to take another shot at it tomorrow.

Idler pulley configuration looks OK to me from the picture. the engagement cable is showing signs of abuse by the looks of the tension spring at the end of the cable. It has been forced past it normal operating range and is now bent out of shape. I would be replacing the engagement cable if it was mine.