Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Cub Cadet residential riding mower 1170, briggs and stratton, cub cadet

Question
My cub cadet 1170 Briggs and Stratton motor used to run fine now the starter is spinning the wrong direction and blows the fuse. I have checked all the wiring and can not find a short. I have also put on a new starter. Also last year we had problems with it starting and if we would pull the blade engagement switch and push it back in while turning the key it would start. Now the starter turns the wrong direction, when you let of the key the fuse blows. Help Please

Answer
Is the battery wired negative ground or positive ground?  It sounds like the positive is grounded and the negative is to the solenoid.  Some old equipment and European equipment is positive ground, but if this is an American model and modern, then it should be negative ground.