riding mower mechanics?
I have a 2005 model crapsman
^^^^
theres your problem
funny story
I have a huskee lawnmower
got a great deal on it and never ever had any issues with it except once
I was mowing the back 40 when I ran out of gas
got of, ran to the gas station and dropped in a fresh gallon of gas, turned the key...nothing
I tore that mower apart and couldn't find a thing wrong with it
ended up tossing it in the barn and tried to forget about it for a few months
then one day I was out grilling and from when I was standing I could see right into the barn and from the corner of my eye I spotted the PTO lever and noticed it was in the "on" position
one good slap on the lever, a turn of the key and she fired right up
no help to you im sure BUT hopefully you at least got a chuckle out of it