Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Engine is hard to pull, compression stroke, safety brake

Question
I have a Briggs engine that is very difficult to pull. So difficult that is is impossible to start.  I removed the spark plug and the engine pulls freely.  Any ideas?

Answer
Hi Dean-
Lets check the easy first.  If your mower has a safety brake, then this is the first suspect.  The brake is a band that locks the flywheel- its connected to a cable that runs to the release on the mower handle assembly.  Inspect this cable for looseness (its mode of failure is to clamp down on the flywheel).  

If thats ok- you probably have a worn cam lobe.  These mowers start easy because the valves are both open for a fraction of an instant during compression stroke.  If the cam is worn and you've lost the slight overlap, you experience full compression when you try to start it.  This will require a rebuild I'm afraid.
Lemme know what you find!
CYA