Have seen numerous replies saying to check safety switches on riding mowers if they won't start. Where would mine be on Weedeater Lawn Tractor Model HD12538D. And HOW to check each one?Thank you!

There are several safety switches on a tractor. Lets start with the one under the seat and then there is a blade engage switch, another won't let you start in gear. You can test with a continuity tester, most switches are closed when depressed but some are open when depressed. Whatever you have the tester shoulkd show a reversalk when you depress the switch. For example, my seat switch is nornal closed but when I sit down the switch opens and does not short the ignition. Test all three and aviod the urge to by pass any switches. They are there to save you injury.

You said to TEST the safety switches but I do NOT know where they are, what they look like or HOW to test. Please give details. Thank you.

"one under the seat " I thought I gave you a starting place. Raise the seat and you will see a safety switch in a black plastic holder, it has two wires coming out of it. Unplug the wires and put your continuity tester probs into the wire slots. When you depress and then reslease the swicth plunger you should see continuity come and go. It you see this alternation then the switch is OK. If you do not have a continuity tester or aren't sure how to use it this may not be a do-it-yourself project for you. The blade engage switch is under the hood. Engage the vblade and disengage several times and observe the movement of the arms and levers. You should see a switch getting depressed somewhere in this mechanism. I can't be more specific since tarctors very from manufacturer to manufacturer. Same for clutch/brake. Push the clutch in and out several times and observe the mechanisms movements.