Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Sears Self-Propelled Lawnmower, self propelled lawnmower, eager 1

Question
Hi Paul,
My Sears Eager-1 Self-propelled mower will not engage the wheels.  I loud whining noise can be heard and the wheels seem to be locked-up.  The belt is not broken nor in bad shape.  Do you think it is a front wheel drive gear box issue?  Thanks for your thoughts on this.
Paul

Answer
YES.
To be frank front wheel drive is great on cars but sucks on mowers.
If you bag the front wheels have no weight on them to drive.
Probably a catastrophic failure, they haven't built an Eager-One in ten years.
Buy a rear wheel drive mower , a premium mower, don't buy anything at Sears. Anything they have at Sears you can buy at Lowe's or Depot for less money.
Buy a premium mower from a power equipment dealer not a box store.
The only premium brands currently available are John Deere, Snapper and Toro. They will cost 500.00+ but they will last 20 years.
A Toro or Deere at Depot IS NOT A PREMIUM mower. You have to go to a DEALER.
If you can't afford a premium mower buy the absolute cheapest thing you can find , with the features you need. They really are the same.299.00 every 5 years and the mower sucks, or 600.00 and you mow until you die.