John Deere mower died and won't start

I recently bought a used John Deere Sabre mower. I had it out for a second mowing this friday. I used it for about 45 minutesand then the blade disengaged. I could not get it to re-engage. I turned off the mower, checked a few connections and started it up again. I mowed for another few minutes and then the blade disengaged angain. the mower started running rough like it would do if i stepped on the reverse pedal while the blade was engaged. I could not get the blade to engage again. The mower then died and would not start. It won't even give me an indicator light when I turn the key. I had the battery checked and it is good and will take a load. I have replaced the blade engagement swith as well. I have also checked the seat switch. No luck. I can't get anyone around hereto look at it for at least 2 weeks. I need to use it quickly for business. Any help will be appreciated!

 

Sounds like the power to the harness has been interrupted. Check the fuse (it's in the small red wire coming from the solenoid).

 

If two things fail like that off and on, I start looking for a corroded ground wire.

 

Have a craftsman did the same thing. Turned out the pto would shut off when the tiny battery I had got low enough. I'd recharge the battery and I'd be good. I replaced the battery with an automotive battery and haven't had a problem since. I'm not saying the new battery fixed the problem. Maybe because it is such a large battery it can take a discharge for a longer time and I do enough work with it not using the pto it has time to recharge. Don't know.

 

the dead ignition sounds like maybe a safety switch issue