I love Pearls premium grass. It doesn't grow very tall or fast so doesn't need mowed much. I would rake up the leaves and old fruit. Do a dormant oil spray also.

Where did that half horsepower come from? Dragging a road killed horse behind ya? Does your carb have an adjustable main jet? If so, turn it out a bit. If not, see these pictures and check the tiny hole in the jets. That's what I would suspect. Current fuels: Never let them in anything and always use an additive like sea foam of startron. As far as vibration, I would look at the impeller. The engines don't vibrate like that unless something is wrong inside. Maybe a hoof in the oil. :)

Yeah, sometimes things like that make me glad I live in Texas... until summer hits. Then I wish I were back in Norway! If everyone has their own heaven then mine will be cool, mild springs, balmy and not hot summers, crisp invigorating autumns, and maybe 2 months of fresh clean snow in winter. Oh yeah, lots of hot chocolate to go with... might as well through in no bugs while I'm at it. But, I'm glad for the winter veg gardening season that I've been discovering the last couple of years. That's a good thing, right?

SE Wisc: Someone turned of the "snow switch" at 3 pm this afternoon. The forecasters are predicting 4 to 6 inches. I know it will be more than 4 inches becasue we have that much right now. Its messy to deal with, but we need the gound moisture. It'll be good for the winter wheat and hay grasses planted last fall. My backyard deer herd appeared early this evening to brouse. They usually come around at midnight or later. Today, they apeared at 5 pm - it was almost dark and snowing. There are 7 in this herd and all came out tonight. Often, only a few at a time apear in the open with the others staying under cover.