My riding mower will not crank up !!

When you turn the key, do you have 12V art the Starter?
If you do, then tap the starter with a small hammer. If it cranks, then your Starter is failing

Sounds like it could be either the starter solenoid or the wire from the key to the starter solenoid. Try to energize the S pole on the starter solenoid and see if it cranks and starts. If it starts, the solenoid is not the problem so it could be the wire that goes to the start position on the key switch. If it doesn't start, it's the solenoid.

I believe the red light just shows that your ignition switch is on, your problem is voltage going to the starter which is the next step. Your switch is not doing the normal ON/START as it should . If you test that voltage is going through to the starter then your starter will need service.GOOD LUCK FRIEND.

bypass the safety switches to test them while looking for the bad one the clutch/brake is the most common one

could be a safety switch use a jumper at the solenoid then work your way back to the switch it'self

make sure thers power going into the starter
if there is then see if the starter is siezed, try turning the fly gear, but not just up against the flywheel but try turning the starter backwards to see if it moves

Hi government32, seeing how you just installed a new battery I'll assume you cleaned all the connections. Not cranking at all sounds like 3 possibilities, Key switch, starter solenoid, or starter. Lets check starter first. Using a jumper cable, jump from positive battery post to starter motor (you'll see the connection on the motor where cable is connected,thats where you hook jumper), if it cranks the starter motor is ok. If it doesn't thats the problem. If it does crank check the starter solenoid, using a jumper cable jump across from side to side (the 2 big terminals). If it cranks now the solenoid is bad or the electrical connections are dirty. There are also 1 or 2 small connections on solenoid from the key switch, make sure they are clean. If these 2 components check out the key switch is bad or the connections on it are dirty. (its usually not the switch).Hope this helps you.

Jump the solinoid with a screw driver, it the engine starts, replace the solenoid.

You may need a 300cca battery, an ignition switch or a solenoid to get things going again. I also would check to make sure the starter gear has not locked in the flywheel teeth; it will burn up the starter. You should be able to go to the snapper website and put your model of mower in and find the parts and diagrams you need.
Good Day.

Then the starter solenoid is suspect.