Going backwards
For $ 3000 I would expect the quality for some thing I paid 3 weeks wages for,,,,, not much
My sister still has my fathers first petrol powered push mower.
The unit owners next to her uses it to mow the common area for their block & 5 others.
He bought it in 1962 and paid 3 months wages for it .
Next Ryobi did not make it, MTD make most of their ride ons & MTD is the cheapest nastiest factory left in the USA.
to be of any real help we will need the actual model number off the ID tag under the seat & the make & model number of the engine .
Ride ons are not particularly complicated items so the average Joe with average mechanical aptitude can fix them .
SO if you know which end of a screwdriver you hold then you are 1/2 way home.
Buying from Home Depot ( or any big box store ) is also a problem because they did not do a predelivery check and any problems with the unit they will direct you towards the nearest dealer.
The dealer will treat you like a lepper because he looses money doing warranty work on a product he did not make any retail profit from selling you ,, human nature .
Some will do a reasonable job because they want you to come back when you need paid for servicing but most won't .
I do a lot of what should be warranty work that the owners have to pay me for because the local dealers either will not touch the mower or quote excessively long repair times.
Now finally a few more details
1) throwing or mulching when it stalled
2) stopped dead like you turned it off or spluttered .
3) what does it do now ?
Spins / won't spin
Pops & farts a bit or makes no sounds
Pops out the carb or bangs out the exhaust ?
We are your hands
You are our eyes , ears & noses