1863 Hydro-static adjustment?

[nitsuj]

Hello all. I have a problem, I've searched and not found an answer. I admit, I'm not super well versed in the world of garden tractors, so maybe I didn't use the magic search terms. Please forgive me if my questions are frequently asked.

So I was gifted an 1863 in pretty nice shape, with 500 hours but needing some TLC. I'm a pretty mechanical guy, but have zero experience with hydrostatic tractors. I was able to easily fix the no start condition (brake pedal switch). Once I figured that out, it fired right up. And much to my surprise, starting moving forward, at a decent clip I might add. Not fast, but certainly faster than you'd expect a machine to move that's in neutral and had the brake applied! Ok, so problem #1 would appear to be that brakes don't work. (Also, pedal doesn't return, broken spring somewhere? I haven't looked) Problem #2 is that it's moving forward when it shouldn't be. I took the cover off to access the brake switch and see the maze of linkages. I assume something needs adjusted, but I didn't want to start changing things before I checked to see if this was a pump adjustment or something else non-obvious. I don't have a service manual (yet) but will order one, until it gets here, I wouldn't mind having a starting point so I can tinker.

Any advice, or links to write up on brake adjustment, and hydrostatic adjustment? I've found some stuff, but it's always for another model and I'm not well versed enough to know what model info will and won't apply.

I also have an intermittent problem with the PTO safety switch preventing it from cranking, I assume that's going to be a straight forward electrical troubleshooting procedure.

Any other common 1863 issues I should address? Was I given a decent tractor or a known problem child?

Thanks for your input!