Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Troy Bilt 46 22HP garden tractor, crank shaft, hex nut

Question
I recently changed my two drive belts for the mower and now I cannot get the engine to start.  It turns over but almost acts as if it is not getting fuel.  It has fresh gas and the oil level looks fine.  It ran fine before changing the belts.  The only thing I can attribute this to is that when I had to disconnect the electric PTO clutch from the shaft that I turned the engine over in the process while trying to loosen the hex nut from the bottom of the crank shaft to remove the pulley in order to get to the drive belt.  Anyway, I am not sure how this would affect the starting as I didn't think this would affect the timing but wondered if that is a possibility.  

On a separate note, I have also had repeated problems with the charging of the battery.  I have replaced the battery and regulator multiple times.  The regulator insulation had actually melted away on one occasion so I blamed it on a faulty regulator.  Perhaps it is a short somewhere but I cannot seem to find it.  Right now, I simply have to charge up the battery every couple of mowings - my band aid versus taking the time to get it fixed correctly.  Any advice on both of these matters is greatly appreciated.

Answer
Charlie
Did you disconnect anything besides the PTO. Thats has to be plugged in to turn the engine via the electrical safety switch. By turning the engine by hand wouldn't hurt anything. Check to see if the PTO switch is in the disengage position.

On the other question You may have a bad Battery charging rectifier you will have to get the charging system checked out.

Thanks