Kevin, I have 2002 L3010 HST and mine starts in any range as long as the clutch is depressed. I remember the dealer telling me it had to be in neutral before it would start...but he was wrong.
I had the guy jump the wires for the clutch safty switch when they dropped the machine off. Being paralized from the waist down makes it hard to push the pedal ... It took about 10 min with me making the wire ..Bill
i know this is an old thread, but my 1998 b2400 requires all to be in netural and the cluctch depressed for it to start. although no operator needs to be on seat.