Craftsman 486.248381, Operator'S Manual

17

FIGURE 36

FIGURE 38

STEP 36:  (SEE FIGURE 36)

•  Assemble the cable bracket to the inner half of the 

double holes in the bottom of the clutch/idler assembly 
using two 5/16" x 3/4" carriage bolts (O) and 5/16" 
nylock nuts (CC). Use the front holes in the cable 
bracket if your tractor has a 42" mower deck. Use the 
rear holes if your tractor has a 46" mower deck.

STEP 38:  (SEE FIGURE 38)

•  Move the attachment clutch lever on the dash panel to 

the disengaged (down) position.

•  Place the clutch/idler assembly on the floor on the right 

side of the tractor.

•  Attach the tractor's clutch cable to the cable bracket. 

Secure the cable housing guide (groove down) to the 

cable bracket using the original collar and a 5/64" hair 
cotter pin (JJ ).

•  Place a spacer (RR) on the welded pin on the idler 

arm. Hook the end of the clutch spring over the pin and 

secure it with a 1/4" washer (T) and a 5/64" hair cotter 
pin (JJ).

CABLE 
BRACKET 

5/16" x 3/4" 
CARRIAGE BOLT (O) 

5/16" NYLOCK
NUT (CC)

42"

DECKS

46"

DECKS

GROOVE 

TRACTOR'S 
CLUTCH CABLE 

5/64" HAIR 
COTTER PIN (NN) 

1/4" WASHER (X) 

SPACER (HH) 

TRACTOR'S 
CLUTCH CABLE 

5/64" HAIR 
COTTER PIN (JJ) 

1/4" WASHER (T) 

SPACER (RR)

5/64" HAIR 
COTTER PIN (JJ) 

STEP 35:  (SEE FIGURE 35)

•  Attach the two suspension arms to the inside of the 

clutch/idler assembly using two 5/16" x 3/4" hex bolts 
(E), 5/16" washers (U) and 5/16" nylock nuts (CC) for 
each arm. Place the washers between the arms and 
the assembly frame.

•  Insert a tensioning chain through the hole shown and 

attach the end link to the spring on the lower idler arm.

FIGURE  35

5/16" x 3/4"
HEX BOLT (E)

5/16" NYLOCK
NUT (CC)

TENSIONING CHAIN (PP) 

5/16" WASHER (U)

CABLE OPERATED MANUAL ATTACHMENT CLUTCH

FIGURE  37

HEX BOLTS

DRIVE BELT

FLAT IDLER
PULLEY

(#46989)

STEP 37:  (SEE FIGURE 37)

•  Two different length drive belts are included with 

your snow thrower. Tractors with manual attachment 
clutches and dual front deck suspension brackets use 

the 55" drive belt with 

#46989

 printed on the outside 

of the belt. 

DO NOT USE

 the other belt.

STOP

Did you choose the correct drive belt for 

your tractor? Using the wrong length belt 
may cause premature bearing or belt failure.

•  Slightly loosen the hex bolt next to the flat idler pulley. 

Install the drive belt down between the hex bolt and the 
flat idler pulley with the flat side of the belt against the 

pulley. Retighten the hex bolt.

•  Loop the belt around the large v-pulley, placing it 

between the v-pulley and the hex bolt next to the pulley.