I've been working on a neighbours Lawnflite ride on. I sold them it about 6-7 years ago, in good running order, when I got my Wheel Horse C-125. Two years ago it wanted a new battery and was traveling at a snails pace. Since then it had been left outside with a cover thrown over it.
On examination of the drive pulleys etc, I found, though not seized, everything rather stiff in operation. This had caused the drive belt to the gearbox to come off the tension pulley. No wonder it was moving at a snails pace.
Stripped it all down and gave it a good clean up. Now working as it should.
Next I turned my attention to the engine. 8hp B&S. Battery on and the engine spun like a good 'un. Checked the oil and a good job I did. Nothing on the dipstick. I drained about two cup fulls of very black liquid out and filled with fresh oil.
Petrol in and lets see if it will run. After a bit of cranking to get fuel through it fired up and ran fine. Back on the ground and try the clutch and gears. All working ok and then, the throttle cable snapped.
I've been told they are now obsolete, so now the hunt is on.