Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): John Deere 345, john deere 345 garden tractor, john deere 345

Question
I have a John Deere 345 garden tractor with Kawasaki engine.When you turn the key on some of the dash lights come on but it doesn't start. There doesn't seem to be any current from the switch to the starter. The fuses are good on the board next inline to the switch.The seat safety switch is ok but we didn't trace out all the other safety switches etc.Can you tell me what is the most likely component to be bad? Or what is the best way to test what is wrong.

Answer
Have you disconnected the battery cables and  cleaned both battery cable ends and battery posts with a wirebrush?  Have you had the battery load tested?

Are you familar with the starting solenoid?  Most solenoids have one small wire.  When the key is in the start position, with a person on the seat and all the controls in the start position, there should be 12 volts DC on the small wire.  If there is no voltage then most likely a safety switch is causing the bad.  Did you check the deck/blade and clutch/neutral safety switch?

Let me know.
Eric