Could be the clutch. You could remove the connector at the clutch and retry.There are tests on the clutch you can do as well. Look closely at where the clutch harness goes through the pan plus above and below. Many have a diode just above the pan that is worth checking (in shrink wrap) PTO switches do short on these as well, but that may go back to the clutch overloading it as well. The model number from below the seat would be helpful if you need further help.

I appreciate your reply. The model # is 9172736402. I did remove the connector at the clutch, and when I pulled out the switch as though to mow, the fuse did not blow, the engine kept running.
Yes, there is a diode just above the pan. Again, there does not appear to be any obvious place where a short is occurring. Back to clutch??