Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

i have a ys 4500 series craftsman lawn tractor.the mower will run as long as clutch/brake is engaged. when i try to release the clutch/brake the motor dies. is there a "deamans" switch or something else that im missing that is causing the motor to conk out?

I believe most ride on mowers have a safety switch under the seat that requires the weight of someone holding the seat down. That could be where your problem is.

   There are a couple of clutch related interlocks.

   The YS 4500 is a series of 5 mowers in 2007-2008.  There should be a plastic or metal tag with the AYP factory number somewhere on the frame of your machine.  It will be 917.xxxxxx.

   The AYP numbers are here:

http://www.tractordata.com/lawn-tractors/tractor-brands/craftsman/craftsman-lawn-tractors-drive-sorted.html

    An electrical and schematic are here:
http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/part-model/CRAFTSMAN-Parts/Riding-mower-tractor-Parts/Model-917288210/0247/1509200?searchedModel=91728821&blt=

   From the schematic you can get an idea of what might be wrong and then find the interlocks from the electrical diagram.