Long 2360 starting issues

[Jmarkv]

I have this Long 2360 tractor, its seems to have a mind of its own this year. Couple of weeks ago, I came out to cut some grass/weeds and it wouldn't start. So pulled the battery, replaced it as it was 3 yrs old and since it had been sitting a while did an oil change. The tractor then started no problem, let it sit running for a minute or so then pulled it out of the barn, lowered the bush hog, and thought I was going to start cutting. Well I had the blade down, PTO engaged and in second gear. I made it about 2 feet and the engine had no power even when I moved the throttle up to increase the engine speed. I pressed the clutch in, then the engine completely died. I tried to start it and it would just spin but no dice to fire up. I let it sit a few minutes then was finally able to get it to start, at this point I was tempted to put it back in the barn but was able to keep it running and cut about 3 acres. I then put the tractor back in the barn. A week later I went to cut some more but when I initially went to start the tractor it would turn over but not run. I then realized I had the fuel cutoff knob pulled out. I pushed it in made sure that it was in neutral but the starter wouldn't engage. I could hear it click as if the battery didn't have enough to spin the starter, I pulled my truck up to attempt to jump start it, but no luck. I kept my jumper cables on it for a while then crawled back up and tried again. I was moving the gear shiftier around (by accident) while attempt to start it and it bumped the starter and finally I was able to get it to start. I ran it all day (about 8 hrs) with no issues, even shut it off several times and cranked right back up. Yesterday I went to crank it and cut some more, it cranked up ok, starter seemed a little slow to me but it was fast enough to start the engine (yea). I ran it fro about 4 hrs then came back to the barn to get a drink and stretch by back and legs a bit. Before I shut down the tractor, I had disengaged the PTO clutch but not the PTO shift lever, when I pulled out the fuel knob and the engine stopped I could hear the blades on the bush hog still spinning a little. 20 minutes later I climbed back on to cut some more but the tractor wouldn't turn over, I made sure the hi low gear was in neutral, and also the transmission was in neutral. Still no luck, as I moved the hi low shifter between gears I could hear it click but never would bump the starter. I then stopped for a few minutes thinking maybe the circuit had over heated, while waiting I moved the shifters back in and out of gear several times then the PTO shift lever as well. Well, I ended by day by having the leave the tractor sitting in the middle of the field next to the barn because it wont start.

Anybody else had this happen? Any idea where to start looking for the issue? Could it be the neutral safety switch? If so, where is it located and where can I buy one or how can I bypass it.

Thanks for you advice in advance,
Mark