Hi all. I have a Murray Lawn Tractor approx. 3 years old. The mower blade must be disengaged in order to start the engine. While mowing the other day, I jumped off the mower to close the fence without disengaging the blade first (the engine was automatically shut off due to the seat kill-switch). When I attempted to restart, the blade lever would not work so the blade stays engaged, thus not allowing me to start the mower. I looked in the manual to see if this problem is addressed with no success. Can someone tell me what is wrong? I couldn't see anything loose or broken. It was working fine until I jumped off without disengaging the blade first. Also, I had the battery tested and it is at full power so that isn't the problem. Thanks for all help in answering my question.

Hi,
I think that is safe to say that something is out of position and wedged. My guess, and that is what it is, would be the idler bracket in the deck that tensions the belt. You should be able to access the bellcrank part of the assembly by removing the panel on the pedestal that is under the steering wheel and faces reaward, held in place by two Phillips headed screws.
Something is out of positionand the best way to find it is probably to observe the linkage while trying to move the PTO lever to the disengaged position.
Peace,
Clarke