The pics are of what I found. The engine is clean. I don't understand why the engine fins are covered by metal plates. (at least 3 different sections.) wouldn't this contribute to overheating as well as collecting gunk in between? I haven't looked at the spark plug yet either. The mower gets hot after a few minutes of mowing. I can feel intense heat coming off the right side onto my lower leg. The muffler is located on that side also. That bar is solid. I hoping to find one somewhere rather than paying $90 for one. I'm hoping this thing isn't a POS, I'm starting to wonder. Maybe I'll be able to take some more pics showing how the metal shielding is located on this engine. Unlike your Toro there's much more involved than loosening a few bolts. You have to take them completely out. It even looks like you have to take the muffler off to get one of those sections completely off. (I was able to get it real loose to clean behind it.) By the way, I appreciate your help, a zero turn is new to me, I'm used to riders. Still using a 15 year old Craftsman to get the grass mowed for now. Lol. I'm going to add 7 pics of what the mower looks like.
Clean ? Not yet, in your latest pics anyhow..I see NO new pics ? And that is critical. Someone never took the time to keep the engine clean as it should be. If it was kept clean, all the disassembly would not be necessary.
And to why the fins have metal cover plates around them, that is to direct the air coming down from the blower (round thing on top of engine with the fins sticking up & rotates when running), the air must be contained so it can be directed to blow over the engine, thus cooling it. It yours was liquid cooled no cover plates would be necessary.
Check the spark plug, it 'should' have a tan to light brown color to it.
As to your solid bad, well, how about finding a hollow bar that is just slightly bigger & put it over the 2 sections.
The muffler: Can you look inside it & see if some critter hasn't built a nest in there, a partially blocked muffler will cause overheat as well.