mower deck will not lower

Same thing here! Called Sears, and they sent a repair man. $99.00 for showing up. The bottom side of the PTO knob (?) electrically connects to a clutch, the wires were ripped in half!

There is a metal finger about 2" by 1/4" welded to the frame that keeps the clutch from engaging when not needed. It had broken off, allowing the clutch to free wheel, cutting the wires.

The fix: disconnect the engine, remove the clutch and reweld the finger. Or, buy a new frame ($$?), buy a new clutch, about $250, finish by putting it all together again, more $$ for labor.

I declined the estimate because I feel, by looking at the broken finger that this is a case of either poor work, or inferior material since there was no outside force, concrete, wood, etc. that could have caused this. I ran over nothing but grass. I feel Sears is totally responsible and should repair it at no cost.

We'll see how far I get.

Drive screw got wet and will need to be sprayed with WD-40 or Penetrating oil

I just replaced the battery when my mower wouldn't start. It still won't crank and the electric mower deck that normally raises and lowers even when the mower is turned off, will not operate. The hour meter is still running though. Any thoughts?