Lawn Tractor Clutch Not Engaging Starter

Stop your mower over a level surface and turn it off. Allow the mower time to cool.

Open your lawn tractor's engine cover and disconnect the thin black ignition wire that connects into the tractor's spark plug.

Locate the PTO clutch on the lawn tractor engine's underside. It is in a small bell housing. You may also trace the mower's belt as it leads to and winds up around the clutch.

Utilize a brush wire to clean the clutch and then wipe it off with a cloth.

Check the clutch and find the three slender slot openings along it. Insert a feeler gauge into each slot in turn and feel for the sides of the two parts within. The rotor and the armature face should be felt just touching each side of your gauge.

Tweak the adjustment bolt on each adjustment slot that has a measurable distance on either side of the feeler gauge. Tightening the adjustment bolt on each slot with a socket wrench will tighten up the inside of the slot and decrease its size. Tighten each adjustment slot's adjustment bolt until the rotor and armature face press gently up against your feeler gauge when you make a measurement.

Ensure you replace the black ignition wire back into the the spark plug. Close the engine hood.