Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Craftsman tractor wont start, jumper wire, volt light

Question
Tractor ran fine last week. Last night when my son was going to cut the lawn the tractor would not start. When you turn the key you can hear a buzzing sound but the engine does not "turnover" at all. It is a Kohler engine. It is about 8 years old and I have it tuned up every year or two. I have not done anything to it yet, but plan to work on it this weekend. Can you give me a series of steps you would take to try and solve the problem. Thank you very much for your advice.

Answer
Hi Mike,

I suspect the solenoid or a bad cable/wire connection.

Below is my "No crank" proceedure:
I would check the starter first.  Jump the positive battery terminal to the starter and it should crank over.  If not, 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