There are several possibilities, starting with low battery power, moving through wiring connections and on to a problem with one of the safety interlock switches, etc.

A little more info would help. What kind (and model)of engine? Did everything work alright the last time you used it? Have you done any work at all on the tractor recently?

If your machine has electric pto (that is, you flip a switch to engage the blades) you might just have a low battery. The first thing I would do is charge the battery and clean the battery cables, making sure that they are reattached tightly, including both of the other ends of the two cables. Then follow all the electrical wires to make sure that they are well attached and not shorting out.

Do you have, and know how to use a multimeter? If it's not simply a low battery or electrical connection, you're probably going to need one - actually you need one to check continuity through the wiring.

Please post back with more information.

Are you trying to say that as you let your foot off the brake it dies, as well as enging the deck? A common cause for that symptom is the seat safety switch.

The engine will start up. It is only when I engage the blade ( which is a pull switch) or try to go forward or reverse that it shuts the motor off. When this happened, I was in motion cutting grass. The engine abruptly stopped. I was and still am able to re start it.

Engine Model # 407577
Type 0284 E1
Code 0408 06YC

Thanks!

Sounds like the seat switch, but could be as simple as a weak battery.

***"It is only when I engage the blade ( which is a pull switch) or try to go forward or reverse"***
OK, this may sound meaningless, but does the engine still die if you are sitting on the seat and let the clutch pedal up with the transmission in NEUTRAL?
The wiring diagram shows that the PTO switch AND the clutch switch share a common circuit which then runs through the seat switch to ground the magneto (killing the engine) if either switch is closed (closing happens when you pull the PTO switch or let up on the clutch pedal.
If the engine dies when you let up on the clutch in NEUTRAL or when you pull up on the PTO switch, there is something amiss in the seat switch circuit.

Just put the new battery in and the mower will run w/ blade engaged. Yeah! But still not moving forward or backwards. Before it would kill when putting it in gear, now it just doesn't move. I bought a new drive belt. It has never been replaced.

Sorry for the confusion. When I let off of the clutch the engine dies. I have put a new battery in, but I have not changed the drive belt.

She's running and moving! I followed the wiring diagram and cleaned the contacts and all is well. Thanks for your wisdom all! I change the drive belt another day

Thanks for the follow-up, cutngo.

Thank you!