I have a Miller Riding Mower(I know it isn't a John Deere)

Anyhow.. Its a little thing, 11 HP B&S Motor, Simple hand throttle control, and a six speed gear selector used with a Clutch Brake.

Like usualy, I started her up, depressed the Clutch Brake, selected a gear, and eased off the clutch... and Off she goes. A little while later the dinner bell rings and I head inside. When I come back outside to finish the job, I repeat the same steps as above, but when I released the clutch brake, nothing happened; the mower just sat there.

When the mower is in neutral I rolls freely, and in gear it takes greater effort. I think that is it getting in gear correctly. I think that the power isn't transfering from the engine to the rear wheels?

Any Suggestions?

Big D

Check to see if the belt is broken from the engine to the transmission.

Check to see if the belt is broken from the engine to the transmission.

It was getting dark when I looked, I will look again when I get home.

I only saw one belt, and it was the belt the powers the deck. Move a level and a pulley tightens the belt and the blades start to move. Other than that I didn't see an additional belt. I could be wrong though. I'll let you know.

Does the same belt that engages the deck, engage the rear end? The belt was off last night and I though I had it back on as the deck engaged when I hit the lever.


Big D

My craftsman, which sound similar to yours, has two belts.

Look up in the frame above the deck, the belt hides there. Might be easier to locate the output shaft of the engine and trace the belt back.

Look up in the frame above the deck, the belt hides there. Might be easier to locate the output shaft of the engine and trace the belt back.

Thanks, I will look... I think you all may be right about the belt. I had the name wrong, its a Murray Mower not a Miller. From what I read several Murray's were manufactered for Sears. Now I just have to find a belt somewhere.

Where is a good place to find belts? Would a Big R, Farm and Home, Sears, Lowes, True Value, etc. have them? I would like to find one today.


My mower is the same as a Sears Craftsman 502255290

Big D

Yeah ,most all small riding mowers I've seen use at least two belts...one drives the mower deck blade(s)...the other drives the tranny.
This way the blades can be disconnected and still power the rider around.

I get good prices for belts at the Tractor Supply store (like Farm & Fleet).

If you guess on the size, and go too small, the tractor will move when it's in neutral. Better to take your old belt with you and get as close as possible.

Or look up the belt size on the Sears site for the similar mower.

I get good prices for belts at the Tractor Supply store (like Farm & Fleet).

If you guess on the size, and go too small, the tractor will move when it's in neutral. Better to take your old belt with you and get as close as possible.

Or look up the belt size on the Sears site for the similar mower.

I don't think it would move while it was in neutral, but I think if it was to short that the clutch brake with fail to work.. I am hoping it is the belt. If it is, I think it should still be there for me to use as a measurment. Worse case it was chewed up by the blades, but I have some string if I need to make my own measurement.

Big D

Any lawn mower store and even Western Auto stores carry belts. All mowers are basically made by one of 2 companies now anyway.

Hey, John Deeres are good but they break too. My worn out 13 year old Craftsman mows 2 acres a week and runs circles around my father in law's John Deere. I don't give him a hard time though because sometimes I come home and find they have cut my grass for me.

Some of those units are prone to have the belt just pop out of the grove. There's a metal tab that holds the belt from falling when not under tension (clutch in).

belt p/n is 123796X, $27 through Sears, anywhere fron $15 to $30 on ebay

http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/retrievePartInModelSearch!search.action?productGro up=N%2FA&partNumber=123796X+

Either Farm and Home or Big R would have that belt, if that's what's wrong. Springfield needs to get a farm store on the west side. Menards and Lowes just don't have alot of stuff like that.

I just changed the drive belt on my JD
Not funny.
Can't see where anything goes----have to remove a couple of belt guides
Remove right rear tire and wheel
Steering column shaft

And then----when I was all done------I fire it up start to take off and all kinds of racket.
WIPED out the new belt:mad: Mislocated one of the belt retainers and that was all it took.

Mower should be okay for a couple days till I get another new belt.
Will not make the same mistake twice

It was the drive belt.... It had slipped off and was in pretty bad shape, probably the original belt. Took it off and went to farm and home.. measured it with their tool and purchased a new belt made by a company called Jason; it was $16.00 with tax.

Didn't take too long... had to loosen two guide and remove a cotter pin from the deck engagement handle. Working better than before, now it doesn't lift the front wheels when I release the clutch brake. The mower is still to darn small. I think I will look for a larger 46" or wider deck that is a little more accomidating for my stature. The S.O or one of the kids can ride the small one and get around the trees and such, and I'll use the bigger one for the remainder of the yard.

I like the big yard and all, but I have better things to do on my weekends other than spending all day mowing and triming.

Once again thank you for the help.


Big D