If you can get access to another battery which you know is good I'd swap it out and try it. It's an electrical problem for sure but you could eliminate the battery as a culprit. You've checked the fuses as you mention and the 30amp slow blow fuse?? You didn't mention if that one was checked.
IF, and I mean IF, you know what you are doing, bypass the safety switches by running a jumper wire from the positive post of your battery to the activator side of you starter solenoid. But make sure everything you can think of is disengaged - transmission in neutral, PTO(s) in neutral, etc. I bet it will start. I had a similar problem this morning with my F150. It turned out that the clutch interconnect switch was a little sticky. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
The test of a good battery is to turn on the headlamps and have someone observe them while trying to engage the starter. If they dim, and the starter doesn't crank, then it is a defective battery. If they stay bright, then it is somewhere in the starter circuit that is keeping the voltage from reaching the starter solenoid.
As for someone else's suggestion:
What you suggest about bypassing the safety switches will allow the engine to crank, but it might not start. The electric fuel pump needs to be energized, and that might not be happening if there is an open circuit somewhere.
<font color="blue">Just writing to give all repliers a HUGE !!!!THANKS!!!!!. Your support and experience meant more to me during this "crisis" than you can imagine. After another hour or so crawling around on the ground and over the tractor I finally shined my million candle spotlight waaaaaaaaaaaay up there under the metal shroud under the seat and LO and BEHOLD....there was yet another safety switch. Upon closer inspection, I saw the plug was detached. It was a BEAR to manuver my big grown-up hands inside the wheel well and under the seat shroud, but with the help of a few really long handled pliers and screwdrivers I was finally able to get it plugged back together. It was one of those few times where I KNEW the problem was fixed and I KNEW the tractor would indeed start this time. She fired right up, like there was never a problem....Again, a MILLION THANKS for all your support! Seems like I always learn 30 more things when I am trying to fix just one thing...... </font>
Ok, for all who suggested a new battery and how to test the old one, a great big THANKS. I haven't had time to get a new battery but I will by the weekend and I am very sure that will solve this problem
