I am guessing by not starting you mean the starter is not spinning the engine. My first rule for a repair like this is always isolate engine from chassis. This will give you a idea what to look for, starter system or safety switch.
This mower is a tricky one. First you must be seated on the chair and press down brake while turning ignition switch. A good thorouhg read of your manual might give the clue. If tour brake pedal is loose, you might check the brake cable is not disengaging the micro switch or broken.
another clue ,might me to start mower the manual way by pulling the rope.
Just replace the belt and engages to cut grass. Put it in gear and made four rounds around the yard before it slowed down to a crawl and won't go forward. Got off the seat and walked beside the machine back to the garage. Is there a drive gear that is not engaging correctly?
You said that you walked the machine back to garage, then if you didn't have to disengage the freewheel control (see pg 14 of your manual), then I
believe the spring which holds the friction plate up is missing. This is key no. 21 on pg 33. they call it a spring carrier.
Success. It confused me looking at the diagram for a bit. The spring was very accessible after rear plate was removed. Thanks for your assistance! Lawn is mowed.
I don't have a manual...I think I found it on the diagram and I bought a spring similar to this. WIll try it tomorrow....how do you reach into connect this and see what you are doing?! WIll be interesting. THanks!!!
You said that you walked the machine back to garage, then if you didn't have to disengage the freewheel control (see pg 14 of your manual), then I
believe the spring which holds the friction plate up is missing. This is key no. 21 on pg 33. they call it a spring carrier.