The "burnt brake" smell is the friction material in the PTO. With the machine shut off and the PTO disengaged (neutral), reach under the deck and try to turn the blades. If everything turns in the deck relatively easily and the belt all the way back to the PTO moves, the PTO needs to be rebuilt. If the belts slip or the whole thing turns very hard, something is bound up/jammed/rusty/broken somewhere in the deck or mule drive that needs attention. I'm guessing it's the PTO at this point, not a big deal, about $50 for the kit and a few hours of work is all.
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