Craftsmen 24" tiller pull start doesn't engage?

You probably have a belt drive that has is not tight enough to pull under a load. The belt is pulled by an idler pulley that engages when you start the tines. Check the belts by working you engage lever and look for the belt and idler. More than likely there is an adjustment that will allow you to put more tension on the belt thus making it till. Do not do this when the machine is running! The belt should not have flex in it when engaged. It may a little effort to engage the tines when you get it tight enough to till.
Col. Dana Gillespie

Tap the cover were the rope comes out of and see if that helps other wise you have to tk it apart to see if some thing is stuck ok

Need to know what cable you are asking about. Is it the starting cord for pull starting the engine or one of the auger or drive control cables ??
Can you post a picture ??

the starter gear inside the pull cord is not engaging
this is a non servicable part
approach supplier and buy a new pull starter

sheared key or shear bolts

Call the dealer or look online.

just for get reverse when you have a problem the first thing i do when i buy a tiller is do away with reverse gear it will make you hurt yourself just go to the end of garden turn around and start over again

The pawl ratchets seem to be sticking for some reason, try some WD40 inside the recoil. Stephen.

yes exactly what i would do sounds like the springs are either worn or gummed up or just broken on the dog ears