Where to start?

Hi everyone,

I'm here on a special mission to help my mom out with her inherited tractor, a Craftsman GS6500.

The tractor was my father's, and he used to keep our acre in Arizona free of any weeds (not much to mow here, but plenty to keep from growing). So, normally he would to all the repairs and maintenance on it, but since he passed away early of last year, the tractor has been sitting in the backyardcollecting dust (and our land has been collecting tumble weeds).

I'm back from college for the summer and I would love to get the o'll girl humming again for my mom. I'm not certain what it needs, but I'm ready to do whatever it requires. We have already called out Sears twice, but they haven't come back either time (it's not the companies fault we live in a poor customer service area, but calling them back is not an option given they wanted $200 just to take a look at the thing -- yes, $200).

So my question is, as someone who knows nothing about tractors or engines, where do I start?

I was thinking of doing the following:
1. Attach trickle charger for a few hours to see if she starts, if not
2. Get new plugs

And if those things don't work (which they haven't in the past), what should I do next? Please, any help would be greatly appreciated!

Regards,
Sarah