Only 7 hrs on the mower. Ran out of gas, when refilled it would not turn over. Brake is on and I am sitting on the seat.

Typical engine start safety circuit for a rider tractor mower requires PTO off and brake on. Some require operator in seat.

Cycle the switches and try again

PTO on/off
Brake off/on




ZTR mowers require PTO off, brake on, and steering arms out. Some require operator in seat.

test the seat switch.

Starting instructions per manual.

1. Make sure bypass rod is pushed in.
2. Sit in seat.
3. Make sure mower is disengaged. (See Engaging and Disengaging Mower in the OPERATING section.)
4. Lock the park brake.
5. For automatic models, put transmission shifter into center slot.
6. Parking brake - ON

If it still doesn't crank, cycle the safetys.

1. Parking brake - OFF/ON
2. PTO - ON/OFF
3. For automatic models, move shifter out of center slot then back.
4. Seat switch - Rise from seat then sit firmly.

If still no crank, check battery charge is at least12.5VDC. If battery ok, then likely a safety switch has failed or misaligned. Try rotate and hold ignition switch at start position and see if moving safeties allows crank. Move out/in seat, pull PTO switch on push off, move brake to off then back on. Other possible causes include fuse, ignition switch, relay, poor circuit continuity (power, control, or ground).

Normally the Clutch/Brake pedal doesn't turn off the PTO.

If the PTO is running, and you do not lock the clutch/brake in the full down position, when you get up from the seat the system will kill the engine. However, the PTO system is still active.
Thus, if you sit back down and try to crank the engine, it won't crank. You must first turn off the PTO switch.

Based on your comment, you are right, the Clutch/Brake will not turn off the PTO as long as you remain in place (and don't try backing up). If you want the PTO to disengage you must turn off the PTO switch.

check the safety switches bypass them one at a time to find the bad one the seat the clutch/brake pedal the pto lever

check the wires they rub on sharp edges

Make sure you have gas, oil, and a fully charged battery.

Sitting on seat, push the clutch/brake pedal down fully, make sure the mower PTO is in the "off position". Push throttle control to choke, or pull the choke handle, whichever set up you have, and then turn the key.

Hi,

The safety switch beneath the seat is only one part of the several interconnecting safety features of the modern riding mower. If the system works properly, you must be seated for the mower deck to operate. The tractor will continue running with the Power Take Off disengaged if the parking brake is set before the operator leaves the seat.The seat switch consists of two electrical contacts normally separated by an air gap. A spring creates an open space between the two contacts. Mounted between two plates, the switch's spring compresses under the weight of the person sitting in the operator seat and completes an electrical circuit. With the switch closed the tractor's ignition system can be switched on with the ignition key. If the operator stands, the spring forces the gap open and interrupts the electrical ignition circuit. The safety circuit allows the riding mower motor to continue running if the PTO is not engaged. When the parking brake is set a second switch in electrical parallel with the OPS closes. This bypasses the safety switch under the seat. If the operator stands, the parking brake switch still completes the ignition circuit.The mower blade turns only when the PTO engages. If the operator should leave the seat with the blade turning and under power, injuries could result. The mower blade would even continue spinning at full power if the machine overturned. To prevent this type of accident, engaging the PTO deactivates a connection in the original circuit and completes a second circuit in series with the OPS switch.

If the operator leaves the seat with the PTO engaged, the ignition interrupts and the machine stops. Until the PTO is off, no combination of settings will restart the mower.

You must be in the seat to run the mower ... safety interlocks ... operator presence control is what it is called.

Check the fuel filter.