Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Scotts Turf Builder Riding Mower wont start, scotts turf builder, hot wire

Question
I have a Scotts Turf Builder made by Noma used and bought second hand. Last Thursday 6/23 this tractor started fine but got off it and hooked up my trailer and restarted to no avail. It wouldnt turn over. I further looked and found that the hot wire next to the battery was spliced. Thinking this was the problem I re spliced again it wouldnt start. Replaced the battery as NAPA said it was no good. Still wont start. Took the starting solenoid off and had it checked by a local repair shop they said it worked. Hooked it back up no luck starting. I have one hot wire from the battery on one post and a wire from the starter on the other and yellow on one post. The guy from the repair shop said I should have two wires on the battery side but attached to the hot wire on that side is a small red wire. I was thinking it might be the starter but not sure. I have a new starting solenoid to put on but not sure if i should try it or not. Any help would be great. This mower ran great up till last Thursday

Answer
Hi Kurtis,

Maybe a safety switch got activated or failed.  Check out my general no cranking proceedure below.  

I would check the starter first.  Jump the positive battery terminal to the starter and it should crank over.  If not, jump from a battery that you know is good, from a car.  If still nothing, the starter is bad.  If good, then you will need to trace the entire circuit from the starter to the battery.   The solenoid, switches the battery power to the starter, when power from the key switch is sent to the small terminal on the solenoid. To test the solenoid, first make sure that you have power at its large terminal which comes from the battery. Then jump power from that terminal or the battery positive post, to its small terminal. You should hear a click and the other large terminal that feeds the starter should be energized. If not, then the solenoid is bad. If good, then continue tracing the power through the key switch to the battery until you find the break in the power path.   All testing can be done with a 12 volt light or a voltmeter.  Most equipment has safety switches in  the seat and on the blade engagement lever. Check them by temporarily bypassing with a small jumper wire.

Let me know how you make out.
Michael