It is possible that a bad PTO switch could cause a no crank condition. There is also a neutral start switch, or anything else on the safety side of the circuit. There are fuses behind the switch - do they stay good? There is much to look at. Are you up for this? A service manual would be helpful if you have basic diagnostic skills and testers.

thanks for the reply, i have done a few things since my first post. i bypast the solinoid in the circuit board, to get the starter to engage. that worked, but now i have no pto. i still think it has something to do with the safety side of the circuit. thanks j. crane

Also having no PTO could mean the PTO switch, yet the way these are wired could mean a a safety line issue as you believe- though seat and brake switches themselves don't seem to make sense for both conditions.

i cant for the life of me find the brake switch. j.crane