Craftsman 18.5 V-Twin - Electric Clutch Failure?

[SteveSEDY]

I Have a Craftsman 18.5 horse Twin-V model number 917.272040. Tractor is about 16 years old but still a great work horse until yesterday. Was mowing with Blades engaged coming down a slight incline when the engine just died and the mower came to a stop. Key on position showed no electric to the Amp meter on dash. So it blew the 15 amp fuse. As soon as I climbed off the tractor I notice a smell and some smoke coming from the electric clutch / pulley area the belt had burned a bit when coming to a stop. I replaced the fuse that brought the electric back, but the engine is locked up and the starter tries to turn it over but can't. My first thought was the engine blew up, but I didn't hear any metal on metal or Chaos from the engine, no oil or rods sticking through valve covers engine looks fine, it just stopped dead smoothly. After reading one of the entries in this post, I suspect that the electric clutch has failed and hung up the drive shaft to where the engine is locked / stuck. Is it possible that the clutch can fail and lock up the engine so it can not be turned over. Any help is appreciated. Part from sears is 219.00, and I'm sure a bear to get the old one off. Thanks for any help and input to solve this problem.

 

[EngineMan]

I Have a Craftsman 18.5 horse Twin-V model number 917.272040. Tractor is about 16 years old but still a great work horse until yesterday. Was mowing with Blades engaged coming down a slight incline when the engine just died and the mower came to a stop. Key on position showed no electric to the Amp meter on dash. So it blew the 15 amp fuse. As soon as I climbed off the tractor I notice a smell and some smoke coming from the electric clutch / pulley area the belt had burned a bit when coming to a stop. I replaced the fuse that brought the electric back, but the engine is locked up and the starter tries to turn it over but can't. My first thought was the engine blew up, but I didn't hear any metal on metal or Chaos from the engine, no oil or rods sticking through valve covers engine looks fine, it just stopped dead smoothly. After reading one of the entries in this post, I suspect that the electric clutch has failed and hung up the drive shaft to where the engine is locked / stuck. Is it possible that the clutch can fail and lock up the engine so it can not be turned over. Any help is appreciated. Part from sears is 219.00, and I'm sure a bear to get the old one off. Thanks for any help and input to solve this problem.

Remove belt from the clutch, can you now turn over the engine..? you may have cook the clutch so check it.

 

[reynoldston]

isolate the engine from the chassis by removing the belts . then you will know what you are looking for