Craftsman Mower Model 917287131 more added.. HELP..LOL

[wheelie]

Ok.. I ran into this mower yesterday and the owner made me a deal I could not pass up.. $100.00... Mower starts a runs great no smoke.. It does have a couple issues.. One issue is it on occasion it will not steer skipping on the sector gear.. The sector gear and the pinion gear look good but there is something wrong some where on that..

The other problem is that this is a;
Craftsman model 917287131 mower
B & S Intek Plus 20 OHV
Limited Edition -VTS
DSL 3500

In looking at parts such as the blade drive belt all the parts supplies list it as having a 46 inch deck.. but this mower has a 42 inch deck.. even says 42 on the chute.. So now I do not know how to order parts for the mower deck.. Any Ideas.. Thanks

 

[ILENGINE]

Are you sure that somebody hasn't switched the chute. Craftsman sometimes have a sticker under the hood that list common part numbers like blades, belts etc. If you want to comfirm deck size just measure it. Or take a blade off and clean it and get the numbers off of it. Or measure the blade length. a 21 inch blade would be a 42 inch deck and the 46 inch deck uses something closer to 23-24 inch blades.

 

[StarTech]

Use 917.287121 DSL 3500.

 

[wheelie]

Use 917.287121 DSL 3500.

That Did It.. Thanks.. Now I will do some measuring to verify what actual size is.... I have a Brute with a 46 inch deck but it is 3 bladed.. and I have a 'ACE' MTD with a 2 bladed 42inch deck.. this one sure seems more closely sized to the ACE. mower deck.. Much Appreciated..

 

[bertsmobile1]

Most 42" decks will have 2 x 21.25" blades
Most 46" decks will have 3 blades, either 3 x 15.5" ones or 1 short & 2 long blades
Blade lengths may be +/- 1/2" different to the above depending upon the spindle positions but close enough .
Within a brand most decks will interchange

As for the steering, there is a bush at the bottom of the steering shaft that is supposed to be oiled if metal or periodically replaced if plastic .
There is also a bush in the fan gear that needs oiling & replacing
\You will se them as parts # 22 & # 58 in the linked page below.
This is not your particular mower but the parts are the same & the diagram is a lot clearer than the one Sears use on their web page.
Steering gear

 

[ILENGINE]

Bert also for future reference, Both Husqvarna and MTD have went to a two blade 46" setup.

 

[bertsmobile1]

Bert also for future reference, Both Husqvarna and MTD have went to a two blade 46" setup.

Gees you make me feel like I am living in backwards hicksville .
Yet to see a 2 blade 46" but I expect they will get here eventually.
Show room models down here that I have seen are all 3 bladed but due to Covid restrictions I have not been around as much as usual and don't loiter in showrooms.

 

[wheelie]

Most 42" decks will have 2 x 21.25" blades
Most 46" decks will have 3 blades, either 3 x 15.5" ones or 1 short & 2 long blades
Blade lengths may be +/- 1/2" different to the above depending upon the spindle positions but close enough .
Within a brand most decks will interchange

As for the steering, there is a bush at the bottom of the steering shaft that is supposed to be oiled if metal or periodically replaced if plastic .
There is also a bush in the fan gear that needs oiling & replacing
\You will se them as parts # 22 & # 58 in the linked page below.
This is not your particular mower but the parts are the same & the diagram is a lot clearer than the one Sears use on their web page.
Steering gear

great information and way better illustrations.. Thanks

Most 42" decks will have 2 x 21.25" blades
Most 46" decks will have 3 blades, either 3 x 15.5" ones or 1 short & 2 long blades
Blade lengths may be +/- 1/2" different to the above depending upon the spindle positions but close enough .
Within a brand most decks will interchange

As for the steering, there is a bush at the bottom of the steering shaft that is supposed to be oiled if metal or periodically replaced if plastic .
There is also a bush in the fan gear that needs oiling & replacing
\You will se them as parts # 22 & # 58 in the linked page below.
This is not your particular mower but the parts are the same & the diagram is a lot clearer than the one Sears use on their web page.
Steering gear

Yes.. Great information.. AND WAY better illustration.. I will look thing over and get some parts coming... Really appreciate the help..

 

[ILENGINE]

Bert, I think I saw my first 46" two blade probably 10-12 years ago on Husqvarna, and maybe MTD in the past 5-6 years.

 

[wheelie]

Bert, I think I saw my first 46" two blade probably 10-12 years ago on Husqvarna, and maybe MTD in the past 5-6 years.

OK .. way off topic... Anybody know how to post files on here.. Never had a problem anywhere else but always says file to big here... Also I have all the boxes checked but I do not get notified when there are new posts to my threads..