Toro Titan MyRide 60 inch no start

[ukrkoz]

Scratching my head here.
Worked fine last time used.
Set in garage through winter time. We had some cold weather, maybe down to 17F for a night or 2, but that is gone.
I tried to start the engine today - no go.
1. starter spins fine
2. tank half full
3. Choke up, as it should
4. PTO down, as it should be'
5 Parking lever up, as it should be
6. I'm in the seat, as I should be
7. throttle lever at about 75%, as it should be
Starter just spins engine, not a single catch.
After about 10 attempts, battery started dying. Then, engine BACKFIRED like a gun. LOUD.
Oil level is fine.
Have charger on battery, but a bit hesitant to start it again, after battery charged. That backfire scared me. It backfired few times before, during normal use. It's still under warranty, but my problem is - I don't have trailer to take it down to shop, so I'd rather figure it myself.
To be honest, it was kind of finicky to start always. Oh, and it's Toro Twin engine.
Any thoughts?

 

[Rivets]

Please provide us with the units model and serial numbers so we can figure out which engine you have. ID tag under the seat.

 

[ukrkoz]

MODEL 75313
SERIAL NO 412117287

 

[Rivets]

Maybe one of these service manuals will help you out. https://www.toro.com/getpub/117255

https://www.toro.com/getpub/117255

 

[ukrkoz]

Thank you.
Is it safe to crank it again after that backfire?

 

[ukrkoz]

What the heck...
So I went back to the mower..
Started with removing post fuel filter hose - no gas.
Removed pre filter hose - no gas.
Well, maybe it needs pump to engage, OK..
Removed charger clamps off the battery terminals
Turned key into #2 position, whatever that is. Some faint noise came from the engine, like some relays buzzing
Removed fuel line from filter again - no gas.
Out of curiosity - STANDING BESIDE THE MOWER - turned key to Start. Starter spun engine, I turned it back to #2 position again.
Then, like - why it even spun the engine? - turned it to Start position - ENGINE FIRED RIGHT AWAY!
Took it out for a spin, everything works, as it should!
Why did it even start with me not in the seat?
Weird. Oh well.

 

[bentrim]

Most manufacturers but not all put the seat switch in place to kill the ignition when you get out of the seat. This is so you can't get off while the engine is running unless the pto is disengaged and the control levers are out or start position. This is so you don't get run over or chopped up by the mower.
Some manufacturers put a seat switch so you need to sit in the seat to start and run. So it depends on the manufacturer.
Here is a link for the manual for the mower -- next to last page is the wiring diagram.

https://www.toro.com/getpub/173711

 

[Freddie21]

I would pull the spark plugs and replace them. If fuel got into the intake, they may not have fired correctly and caused the backfire. Many mowers can run when you're out of the seat if the parking brake is on and the PTO is off.