I have a 42" Troy Built Pony Riding mower. Have been using it approx 3 years without problems. Today, while using it, it stopped moving forward. Investigation showed that the brake pedal was not coming up all the way - thus the drive belt was not engaging. (Note: I replaced both the drive belt and transmission belt in April, 2011 - they are both good, and the mower worked good all summer). I was able to force the pedal all the way up, and belt tightened as normal. I noticed that the brake pedal binds when it is approx 3/4 of the way up - at this position the drive belt is still loose. With a good jerk, I can get it all the way up - I sense that the area where it is binding is in the rod that is part of the pedal that extends across the mower. The linkage to the rear pulleys and the rear pulley mechanisms all seem to be OK. I can use the mower if I use the instep of my left foot to pull the brake all the way up. I would like to know what I have to do to correct the binding problem.

Can you grease/oil the pivot point of the pedal?

I can lube it, but it moves freely for approx 75% of its travel distance. It is just the final 25% that binds. I'd have to remove the mowing deck to better see the part of the pivot mechanism under the floor where it seems to bind. It's raining here right now, so I won't be crawling around on the ground for a few days. Hate to put any lube in this area as it will get caked with grass and dirt.

Check variator pulley , sounds like its not working up and down properly.
Did you use factory replacement belts , or go someplace and try to match them ?

I went to Lowe's - where I purchased the mower, and bought the belts. The sleeve on the belts states that they are Genuine Factory Parts. The packaging shows they come from MTD in Cleveland. Besides Troy Built they seem to work with MTD, MTD Gold, Yard Man, White, Huskee, Yard Machines, and Bolens mowers. When it dries out here, I will check the vari-speed pulley to see if it has up/down movement. Thanks for the suggestion.