I would like to be able to give you some good advice about riding mowers. Can tell you for sure whatever you buy maybe a crap shoot. Last year I bought a Cub Cadet, 87 hours and think transmission is gone. Has no power or speed in reverse. Thankfully bought from a dealer, they did come pick it...
I had a Briggs and Stratton that did exact same thing, Almost pulled my hair out trying to figure it out! Engine would spin great without spark plug. Turned out it was the manual decompression located on cam. Nearly took to dump before i found problem, Bought an OEM on amazon for about $80. plus...