A concluding (almost) episode:

Lawnmower delivered to authorized service agent for "repair under warranty" on May 9, 2005.

Mower released to owner after "completion of repairs" 112 days later (August 23).

Backed it off the trailer, fired it up and mowed the side and front yards. Turned engine off to open the gate to the back yard, jumped back on and - - - - NOTHING. Mower completely dead.

I have determined that the problem is in the OSHA mandated safety interlock circuitry, since I hot-wired around ALL of them and managed a rough mowing of the back yard (which hadn't been mowed in 3 months and really needed it). At present I can't tell if it's "hidden damage" to some minor components or just mis-rigging of a couple of parts.

Since my jury-rig hardly qualifies as a "repaired condition," and scares even me, the mower is effectively dead until I can either return it to the "authorized repair agent" or fix it myself. The latter is more likely.

Since I'll be "at Winfield" for the next month, and have cardio-vascular surgery scheduled for the second day after my return with unknown recovery time, it will be at least another month before I will do anything about it.

(I wonder if mowing by hand all summer instead of riding around on my nice comfortable riding mower contributed to my medical problems(?) I should ask the mfr??? I think I'll point out that I'm really rather old and feeble.)

That will make this simple "warranty repair" at least a 5-month long transaction, effectively preventing me from repairing or using the mower for the entire current year. The engine manufacturer probably has some management hotshot who calls this "risk mitigation." You can't hurt yourself if they don't let you use it?

Aren't nice riding lawnmowers fun????????

Isn't manufacturer's friendly product support really helpful?????

John