Safety switch on brake handlechecks ok but motor cuts off when released

check the safety switches

test the seat switch.

Try removing the transmission drive belt. Sounds like the Trans might be locked up.

Have you checked the safety switch under the seat? Operator presence is required on most equipment today to properly function. If the seat switch isn't closed, it will shut the engine down if the parking brake is released and/or the blade PTO switch is engaged. Unplug the seat switch and place a jumper into the seat switch receptacle to the wiring harness; not the male plug to the seat switch. If you can start the mower, disengage the parking brake, and engage the mower blades (with your other switches reconnected) without engine shut down, replace the seat switch.

I would try bypassing the seat switch and the brake switch. Do this one at a time to determine if the switch is bad. Also buy some Sta-bil fuel stabilizer and gel remover. I recommend this for any seasonal equipment. Often the engine is not getting enough fuel and will stall when the pto is engaged. Sta-bil often rectifies this problem.

the safety switch on the clutch /brake has two switches in one one side is the starter side the other is the safety side you can check with a ohm meter

Sounds like you have a broken spring #148 on diagram, part #169022 that holds the idler arm back. Go to www.searspartsdirect.com and enter the model # of your mower and click on the mower deck to print drawing out, take your deck off the mower and see if all the springs are ok. If the pads are closed on the pulleys and the pads release when you turn the idler arm, the deck is ok. The problem will be a bad or disconnected safety switch that cuts the motor off if you try to ingage the mower. If the switch is disconnected under the seat it will kill the engine when the mower is engaged. I had this problem on my mower, just plug the wiring into this switch or replace it if it is bad.

Your tractor has several safety switches. Look around your brake pedal and linkages. You will see a little plastic switch has 2 wires going to it unplug and put the 2 wires together if it runs switch is bad. You can replace the switch or just cut the wires and wire nut them together.

Most likely the seat safety switch or associated wiring is the problem. It's designed to cut the engine if you release the brake or engage the blades unless it detects your weight in the seat. Tip up the seat and make sure the safety switch under it has not come loose, and that the wire connections are on tight. If that all looks OK, take the switch off and put a piece of tape over it the plunger to keep it in the 'activated' position and see if the mower works that way. If that fixed it, you should replace the safety switch. They are just a few dollars. Hope this helps - if so, please rate my answer.

First check the seat switch,make sure it is plugged in tightly, these plugs have a safety tab built into them that will cut the engine off if you unhook it,sometimes the plug latch pulls out slightly and this will cut the engine, There are two other switches in the system one on the foot clutch and on on the mower clutch, if you follow the white wire from you ignition switch it will lead you to both of them,check those connections also.