Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): CRAFTSMAN TRACTOR, tractor model, electrical system

Question
I had to put a new starter in my tractor I have a plow on it for the snow put the new starter on started right up next day went to plow the driveway and engine would now turn over smoke coming from starter took out got checked starter fried what could be wrong

Answer
Has the battery reversed polarity?  This is rare but a couple of summers ago we had sevral bad batteries that kept frying starters.  What if the tractor model number so I can look up the electrical system?  The model number is located on a sticker on the rear of the tractor with a format xxx.xxxxx.

Let me know.
Eric