Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): snapper that all of a sudden wont crank, snapper rider, starter solenoid

Question
Micheal, thanks for taking time to help, a little background on my snapper.  I bought it used, always had to charge the battery or jump start, replaced the battery and of course it would drain and have to charge or jump, this year I gave up and figured I just got a bad battery and purchased another one, cleaned cables installed new ends etc..., put the new battery in and thought I was ready to mow but turned the key and nothing happened. Did a little trouble shooting and found stator wire coming from underneath the flywheel is just smoking hot, if I jump the starter solenoid the starter will spin but the gear will not pop up to the flywheel, also found constant power to stator wire with switch off, normal or not? I havent checked grounds or any of that yet. just seems odd that batteries keep going dead and having constant power to the stator, also is the flywheel supposed to have a little bit of magnatism to it, this has none. it is a 94 snapper rider with elec start with a B/S 14 horse ohv engine. If the flywheel has to be removed can you tap on the crank and force pressure to bottom of the f/wheel to pop it up,
or would a puller be the biggest timesaver.

Answer
Hi Zack,

The stator wire would have power when connected to the battery.  If it is hot the coil may be trying to overcharge the battery.  The diode may be bad.  

If jumping the solenoid doesn't cause the starter gear to engage the flywheel, either the battery is not fully charged or the spiral on the gear shaft is dry and dirty.  Spray that with a non-dirt-attracting-lube like Teflon.
The flywheel magnets should be magnetized.
To remove the flywheel:  
Use an impact wrench on the nut or a strap on the flywheel.  Don't put force on the cooling fins or they
will break.  The recommended way to remove a flywheel is to use a puller.  An alternative, is to tap on the crankshaft top, with a brass hammer or use a punch
tip on an air hammer.   The flywheel will need to be held up and supported or upward pressure applied with 2 large prybars. (A 2 person job.) Care is needed so the flywheel
doesn't crack or bend.  Also be careful to not mushroom over the crankshaft top.  Reinstall the key.  Install the flywheel after cleaning the tapers and re-tighten the nut to 65 ft/lbs.

Let me know how you make out.
Michael