Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): BOLENS TRACTOR MOWER WONT START, inch blade, tractor mower

Question
I HAVE A 2005 BOLENS TRACTOR MOWER 38INCH 15 INCH BLADE BRIGGSS STRATTON ENGINE. I DO NOT KNOW MODEL #. THE MOWER COMPLETELY STOPPED WHILE MOWING. I HAVE REPLACED THE BATTERY, AND THE SOLENOID, BUT THE MOWER DOES NOT EVEN CUT ON. THE LIGHTS WILL NOT TURN ON. BUT WHEN I TOUCH THE SOLENOID TO THE STARTER SPARKS FLY. COULD THIS BE THE SAFETY SWITCH? OR THE IGNITION SWITCH.  THANKS, HERB  ATLANTA,GA

Answer
Herb,

with the palm of your hand open on top of the engine flywheel screen , try to turn the engine over by hand.  Does it rotate freely?  

It sounds like the engine may have locked up.  (Is it full of oil)  If there is no oil in the engine the damage is most likely catastrophic.  Another thing that can cause an engine to feel locked up is if a drive belt breaks underneath the mower and wedges between the pulley and the frame.

Let me know and we can proceed further.