Hard to imagine anything went out of adjustment just sitting up for the winter. Could be the governor linkage is sticking due to the lay over.Carb could also be gummed up if it wasn't stored properly. The fuel passages may be restricted from varnish build up. Just getting enough to barely run. This time of the year I'm rebuilding almost 8 carbs a day due to lack of people storing the mower correctly in regards to the fuel left in them. Tom

Yes.. Correct on that. Cleaned out the lower jet and reinstalled and it started right up. Now it surges... Not like its starving for fuel.. More like. .. run smooth for 90 seconds.. stall... recover... Its not consistent either. The Mower is 20 years old and when I had the carb off I could see lots of carbon build up. Maybe a valve issue.. Once in a while it puts out blue smoke too... Not huge amounts.. but more than usual. Thanks.. and than you Baymee for the response! Jeffe

"RC - most likely his gt5000 has a 48" or larger deck PLUS the addt'l 44 swisher - that's nearly an 8 foot swath he's cutting vs yer $7-10 k ZTR with mebbe a 5-6 foot cut. He can run as fast as you - the little 8-10 hp engine on that swisher won't burn that mush fuel... yeah, he's gonna be back in the garage whilst you are still out there sweating/cutting and yeah, he can drive the rig relaxed with one hand on the straightaways while you are herding yer ZTR with both hands trying keep a straight line cut - all the time on them straightaways... :)' ha ha ha, LOL! Yea right! He can blow that smoke some where else because I know better. By the time RC got turned around the first time I'd be on my second turn around grinning at him like a jackass eating greenbriar. LMAO!

Check gas cap for a clogged breather hole in it. This could cause the problem you have stated! I got an old Wheel Horse tractor as a gift, when the owner said he was tired of the machine doing as you describe. I poked a larger hole in the cap, and the problem was solved! I offered the tractor back to him, but he said to keep it, which i did! Rusty J