Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): John deere wont move, wheel hub, hub problem

Question
QUESTION: I own a John Deere Sabre 1642 that won't move forward or backward. You can feel a slight effort but no movement. The brakes are not on and the free wheeling lever is pushed in although you can push the mower forward.  The blades engage with no problem. Thanks for your time

Neva

ANSWER: Sounds like a broken belt or idler spring to me. Pull the deck off and take a look. It will be fairly obvious.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have taken the mower deck off although the belt is not in good shape, it is still intact.  All springs seem in good shape. Is there any way that the free wheeling lever could have something to do with the mower not moving?  When the lever is pushed all the way in, the mower can be pushed with no problem.  Could it be broken or malfunctioning in some way?  Thank again

Answer
First the most common reason other than a belt would be a tire/hub problem. Have you had a tire repaired lately. if so you have pushed the axle key out of the wheel when the tire was reinstalled. If that's not it here are the steps you need to do. Raise the wheels off the ground. Rotate a wheel. It should spin forward, the other backwards. If one wheel spins and the other doesn't it can only be 3 things. Missing or sheared wheel/axle key. Broken weld at the center of the wheel hub or a broken axle.
If both wheels spin opposite directions check the trans input pulley. They commonly strip out but usually make a lot of noise.

It is possible that the bypass valve is stuck in. This is very, very unlikely.

I'm guessing axle key/hub. But I can't see it from here.