I have a 42" MTD rider with a kohler 20 hp vo engine. Last week after I used it (mowing a corn field) I thought I heard a little metallic sound but the engine ran fine the 1/4 mile to the house and other than a lot of stalk and crap from the corn between the deck and belts no other known problems. When out to start it yesterday and it turned over, tried to fire once, but sounded like those little whirly cans you used to twirl on news years. Battery appeared low so jumped it and the flywheel was turning no firing and a lot of whirly can type noise. I would suspect the starter if the flywheel wasn't turning. Perhaps there is a location that a piece of stalk could jam to simulate this sound. Any ideas before a rip too much apart as to where to look. I have put my ear next to the engine when it turns over but can't seem to pinpoint a spot other in the engine area. While the oil appears to need changed it is at full. I also cleaned a ton of dusk from the filter but that would not cause the loud grinding sound.

Thanks

" sounded like those little whirly cans you used to twirl" that sound could be the starter bendix not fully engaging the flywheel. It could be full of junk but its hard to get even corn stalks into that area. Remove the spark plug and try the starter again, if the engine is not actually turning over then I think the starter warrants a close look