Tractor Repair: Mastercraft 15.5 HP Tractor, safety switches, hp tractor

Question
I have the above tractor since new 1996.  After warranty I would start the tractor and cut the lawn.  If I needed to shut it off and come back to start it it would not start.  If I leave it for a period of time I can get back on and start it no worries.  I have had it in and serviced regularily and it will not do this...Now I got on it and it will not start.  It does not crank or turn over it is just dead.  I have checked the safety switches and they appear to be fine.  Must be ghosts.

Answer
Richard yes the ghosts do have a way with the mechanicals at times.
Have you bridged out the safety switches to check them ?.
If all wires are plugged in that may be fine but a switch could have faulty contacts internally check each switch as a unit if you had a test meter it would be better as that way you are not doing somthing that may hurt someone.
But if you do not have a meter check it out by hooking the wires together and trying to start the tractor.
The first switch I would check is the start switch on the main clutch and then the PTO clutch one.
By the way have you checked to see that the PTO is disengaged.
Check it out and let me know how you go with it Richard.



              Regards Danny Last