I hit a object while mowing that stalled the tractor. The starter now just growls. I replaced the starter still does he same. Motor turn over freely by hand. John Deere LA 145 48" deck

Is the starter attempting to enguage the top mounted flywheel ? What type of growl is it .. a low deep sound or more metalic sounding? Also when you replaced the starter did you notice and spacers or dents in the cover? Did you replace the soleniod ?