Reverse lockout feature for a mower

A lawn mower (20) including a frame (23), an engine (22) having an electrical system and attached to the frame, a mower deck assembly (28) connected to the frame and having a rotating blade selectively engaged with the engine, a reversible transmission (24, 88) driven by the engine and having a shift mechanism (68, 70, 72. 76. 90, 92) having forward and reverse positions, a switch (112) in electrical communication with the electrical system and mower deck assembly, and a solenoid (32, 32') attached to the transmission, in electrical communication with the switch, and having a plunger (74, 74'). The plunger has an extended position when the switch is in its first position and the blade engages the engine, wherein the plunger blocks movement of the shift mechanism into its reverse position, and a retracted position when the switch is in its second position and the blade disengages the engine, wherein the plunger does not block movement of the shift mechanism into its reverse position.