My neighbors mower is doing the same thing (different brand), but I haven't looked into it yet. I looked up your machine in hopes it's similar to his so it would help me, of course it won't. I skimmed the manual anyway, one thing it mentions is purging the air out of the transmission before the first use. Not knowing how long since the last use, I'm wondering if only 28 hr of use in 10 yrs if there isn't some air in the forward circuit. The manual says to engage the freewheel lever, start up the machine and engage full forward for 5 sec, then shift to full reverse for 5 sec while using the clutch as normal. Repeat 3 times, the tractor should not move since it is in freewheel. Disengage freewheel and it should drive, this is of course if air is the problem. Good luck
Bill
Edit: I realize now after rereading your post that you probably mean two hundred eighty some odd hrs, not 28. Perhaps my theory is wwwwr wwwr wwwwrong, but it's free to try.
