I have a 18 HP Yard Machine Riding mower, bought it new in 2002, went to cut the grass today and nothing... I tried to jump start it, charged the battery, cleaned terminals, and still nothing. When I turn the key to start it there's a slight click, but not from the starter. I even tried to jump the starter directly, and nadda... Anyone have a few steps I could take to eliminate things, and get down to the problem? I already have eliminated the battery as a possibility... Thank you for any assistance.

Turn the flywheel counterclockwise by turning on the flywheel cover then try starting and see what happens

Did you get it yet?

No, no luck so far, I tried your suggestion esquire1 but nadda. I dug out my volt/ohm meter and followed the current from the battery with the key on and the key turned to start, and in either position current is lost at the solenoid. The ignition switch works properly, allowing current through when engaged, and the fuse is fine. I was almost ready to decide the solenoid was bad, but thought I would check the starter as well with current to it, just to be sure it would engage, so I pulled 2 bolts, took it out and used jumper cables on the positive post and grounded the starter body... and nadda!! The starter is not operating, and current isn't getting past the solenoid. There has been no power surge, and find it very odd for 2 different components to have failed at the same time, but that is exactly what I believe I'm facing... Any ideas with this new information??

Yes, if the solenoid did malfunction, it could have also ruined the starter. Or vice versa.

Where os the solenoid on this model