cannot engage the blades

[islandboy]

My ariens 17.5 lawn tractor will not engage the blades for cutting...what could be the problem????

 

[Bwells]

When the dash lever is fully forward, is there still a lot of slop in the belt? Possibly a worn belt and/or a weak spring on the cable that attaches to the tension pulley. You wouldn't happen to have the model number, would ya? A tag under the seat.

 

[islandboy]

Mod number is: 93606000/A175G42

 

[Bwells]

I found this on Sears parts direct using 936060 as the model number.
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/model-number/936060/3071/1509200.html
Is the cable fastened to the deck intact and not loose?
Does the tension pulley move when engaged from the rest position, not frozen?
My best guess would be the cable, item number 152 on the deck diagram BUT don't spend the 30 bucks until one of the real boys chimes in.

 

[islandboy]

Got the problem solved, the belt slipped off the pulley, and the tension pulley was sticking.....reset the belt and oiled the tension pulley... working fine..thank you all for your interest

Islandboy