Welcome Dave,
Did the engine stall in the long weeds ?
if it did then there is a chance that the flywheel slipped on the crankshaft which will throw the timing out.
Other wise I would be looking under the mower at the parking brake switch & reverse switch.
Long grass can get tangled up in them, break them or twist them so they do not work.
Won't start is not a good enough description for a diagnosis over the web
Won't crank at all
Cranks but won't fire
Cranks , fires once or twice but dies
Welcome Dave,
Did the engine stall in the long weeds ?
if it did then there is a chance that the flywheel slipped on the crankshaft which will throw the timing out.
Other wise I would be looking under the mower at the parking brake switch & reverse switch.
Long grass can get tangled up in them, break them or twist them so they do not work.
Won't start is not a good enough description for a diagnosis over the web
Won't crank at all
Cranks but won't fire
Cranks , fires once or twice but dies
Good so we will start with the simple things
Two things typically happen when an engine overloads & stalls
1) Flywheel keeps on spinning and takes out the timing key in the crankshaft
2) Pushrod jumps off the rocker
And if you are really lucky, both .
Both will have to be checked so which ever way is easier for you.
Remove the blower housing and the flywheel retaining bolt
Locate the key
the keyway is cut into both the flywheel & the crankshaft and the two sides should sit together to form a perfect square
With the spark plugs removed, remove the rocker covers and rotate the engine by hand ( this is easier if the blower housing is off )
Watch the rockers , each one should move in and out once in every 2 revolutions of the engine .
Let us know what you find
Made adjustments and put it back together. Barely touched the key and it started right off!Yep,
rocker is too loose
Rotate the engine till it has gone down 1/4" on the firing stroke then set the rocker to 0.004"
Note the nut is the adjuster and the grub screw is the locking device.