Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): 18.5 Intek, bad tooth, troybilt

Question
I have a Troybilt riding mower. It has a 18.5 Intek engine. I have had trouble with a bad battery for a couple months. I have just been jump charging it everytime I needed to use it. Recently it stopped taking a charge and I figured the battery had finally had it. I went and bought a new battery last night, and Im still having the same problem. I turn the key over and absolutely nothing happends. I have checked the connections, cables, main ground, and fuse. Im pretty new to riding lawn mowers. I have tried tapping on the starter to see if it had a bad tooth, but with no avail. Could someone please point me in the right direction please.

Thank you in advance,
Tyler

Answer
First the battery needs to be fully charged that is 12.6 V.  Then follow the start circuit it starts at the battery where the cable goes to the solenoid.  Electrical current than the goes down the solenoid out the small tab on the bottom and through the PTO switch, brake switch, seat switch, key switch, fuse and back to the solenoid this creates an electromagnet inside the solenoid and you hear click the voltage then goes across the solenoid and through the cable to the starter motor and then to ground.

One thing to check immediately would be the fuse.  If the fuses blowing you have a short someplace in the system where a wire is grounding out or you have a loose connection.  It is not best jump system, unless you're jumping from a battery with 12.6 V.  If you're jumping off a car you might have damaged the ignition system.  Once you get the engine to turn over the first thing to do is check for spark.  If you do now have spark more than likely you have damaged the ignition system.  If you are going to follow the 12 V through the system you will need a continuity meter.  Voltage should go from switch to switch without going to ground until it gets through the starter.  If at any place voltage is going to ground when trying to start the unit that could be a point of repair.  I hope I have helped you best of luck on your project