That sounds like a sticky clutch disk on the clutch shaft, Sparky. The best cure is to strip it and clean it properly, then dry-lube it before you put it back together. Applying lube externally won't remove the built-up crud that is in there at present, and the old crud will be made up of equal parts dried oil and dirt, so it is quite abrasive on the clutch and shaft.
It seems to me that most ride-ons have a pair of small wheels on the deck to keep it from scalping on rough ground.
