Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Craftsman lawn tractor gear problem

Question
I have a Craftsman lawn tractor (model #917.254920).  I am having trouble getting into the higher gears (3 thru 6).  I just replaced the drive belt and I'm having the same problem.  It runs fine in the lower gears and it will shift into the higher gears, but it bucks and slips.  My local repair shop does not believe it is a gear problem (apparently they say that is rare).  Is there anything else to adjust or replace that might fix the problem?

Answer
Make sure the bolts holding the transaxle to the mower frame are tight.

Is the brake properly adjusted? The brake should not allow the mower to move when the parking brake is set but the brake should allow the mower to roll easy when the parking brake is off and the mower is in neutral?

Do you have a Foote transaxle model number 4360-7?  The brand and model number are located on the transaxle itself.  If you do, then there are some shift keys inside the transaxle that do break or wear and causing bucking when shifting gears.

Let me know if you have a Foote transaxle.

Eric