The following is my sad tale of woe: we got an MTD Yardman 12.5 HP riding mower about three years ago (used) and it always worked like a charm! In August, we transported it, on a pickup truck with ramps, to our new home! Since that day, it absolutely will not start. We have gotten a new battery, new starter, new ignition lock and replaced a blown fuse, all to no avail. Still won't start! Where do we go from here and please explain explicitly what we should do now, short of shooting the darn thing! Thanks for your help.
By the way, the wheels spin when the tractor is on a jack but not on the ground. Also, I forgot to mention that the engine won't even crank. It is simply dead!! Please help as the grass is getting awfully high and a walk behind mower won't do the job that needs to be done!

What about the solenoid, and re check your fuse, then get back with me.

I really wanted to write and tell you that you are a genius and everything is okay. Unfortunately, that is not the way it worked out. We got a new solenoid which my husband promptly installed and... nothing! The motor will not turn over and the lights won't go on, etc. etc. etc. In other words, the tractor is still totally dead. Where do we go from here? My husband says he can't imagine what else he should replace. Please help!

First, I would like to correct "Yardman" to "YARD MACHINE". I don't know if that makes a difference, but there it is! Secondly, the owner's manual says that there are four safety switches but no illustration or exact location. So, my question is: what do they look like and where can I find them? Thanks for your help.

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Originally Posted by sacramento

First, I would like to correct "Yardman" to "YARD MACHINE". I don't know if that makes a difference, but there it is! Secondly, the owner's manual says that there are four safety switches but no illustration or exact location. So, my question is: what do they look like and where can I find them? Thanks for your help.

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Yard man, and yard machine is both products of mtd. Now then as for the safety switches, there will be one for the clutch/brake pedal, one for the blade engagement, one for the neutral position, and one for the seat. The first three will be found underneath the frame of the unit. The seat switch is located under the seat.