Chosen Solution
so my kid ran over a rope while cutting grass. after clearing rope the blades stayed engaged even in off position. this condition went away almost immediately and all was working well. then another mishap as I ran over a cloth strap from a kayak. I cleared that successfully and all the belt and blades move readily. But when I engage the mower or put in gear and release the brake the engine cut out. Aso the blades still moderately engage when engine is idling while the engage lever is in the off position. I noticed a burning smell like a belt was overheating and shut it down. I did some trouble shooting and noticed the main drive pulley that connects to the mower drive belt. coming off the engine got very hot to the touch. I think it might be one of the belt tensioner springs to the deck. I am going to pull the mower deck house off and see if the engine dies upon putting into gear. Also wonder if it might have something to do with the mower engage cable assembly. Any thoughts?
It sounds like either there is still material from the kayak belt somewhere in the clutch when that belt wrapped itself into the innards, it jammed in hard enough to distort something - overextending the spring could be the issue. A hot pulley suggests belt slippage - again - tensioner. Check and recheck.
