Z225A not starting

Hello: I was recently given an older John Deere Z225A zero turn mower. It was running great. I put a new battery in it as the previous owner said it wouldn't start it. Now when I went to start it, the starter would spin when the key is turned, but will not engage the flywheel. I did just replaced the starter and the solinoid with brand new ones. Same problem. I don't have a service manual or schematic on the wiring. Cant see spending a $100 on a manual. Can anyone offer some insight

So you got a $ 5000 mower for nothing but won't stump up for the best repair manual ever written for a mower yet expect other to help you for free ?
Can you turn the engine over by hand ?

Yes the engine can be turned by hand. Going back to working on older cars, I jumped across the solenoid putting 12 volts to the starter, and same symptom. I don’t know if any safety switch would cause this.

I have a regular John Deere with the safety’s, and nothing will turn on if your not in the seat or mower is engaged. So I’m at a loss. Almost points right back to a bad new starter.

YEp if the starter spins and does not engae with the flywheel then most likely either the starter is bad or wrong for the engine.