Well not to rain on your parade,
but I hope it rains two more days. Not much snow and no rain til now.
Aren't you in luck since it still hasn't stopped raining! got 3.5" so far with more to come, LOL!
For everybody: You're all correct; it was the starter running away.
When I purchased this Pay Loader it had a brand new starter installed—like the only shiny new part on the whole shebang! I also got a second, mystery starter that looked like the original that came with the machine that had a brand new solenoid on it. As it has continued to pour frogs outside, rather than pulling the broken (new) starter, I chased the old starter into Terry's Auto Electric in Bemidji. There, Henry explained to me that with 24v systems it is common for the solenoid to get stuck with low voltage batteries or weak grounds. Since my batteries are a year old, I'm inclined to rule out weak batteries—however, while the battery disconnect was disconnected (and I know that I have a draw somewhere when it is connected on this old girl) I do have a pair of Harbor Freight Viking battery chargers, still connected with one on each battery, that had been keeping the batteries topped up over winter (because I'm not pulling those heavy things out if I don't need to) that had not been plugged into wall power since I moved the machine and popped the right front tire (since the whole thing is sort of in the middle of my driveway). Anyway, I will confirm a nice clean ground circuit, but I'm guessing that the battery chargers may have drawn my batteries down when they are not plugged into wall power or my alternator took a cesta over the winter to lower my battery voltage.
Regardless, I'll get to the bottom of it if it ever stops raining. For now, what looks like the original starter with a new solenoid has now been reconditioned with a new armature, new commutator, bendix, bearings, as well as a shiny black paint job all for $380ish. Henry at Terry's Auto Electric warned me first though suggesting that a former owner likely bought a new solenoid thinking that was the problem only to find out the starter itself was shelled.