917.289031 is the model number. Like I said in the original post, the engine is not the original but a replacement...just so you know. I just took the spark plug out and cranked it and that allowed the starter to spin the flywheel constantly. Exciting! What do you suggest?

This seems to be a somewhat common complaint with some Kohler engines after a fuel out event, having read numerous posts here describing the symptoms. I believe this phenomenon is mostly due to the ingestion of water (from the last bit of fuel on the bottom of the tank). Normally, when there is ample fuel in the tank, water tends to form cohesive beads or slugs that remain on the bottom of the tank, out of reach by the fuel pick-up tube. When you run the tank low of fuel, the sloshing of the fuel, along with the added vibration of the tank (liquids act as vibration dampers, if enough liquid is present), tend to emulsify the slugs of water, into a loose solution with the remaining gasoline. Then this emulsion is transported into the caruretor. After the engine dies for lack of fuel, there is still a bit of the water and gas mix in the bottom of the carb bowl. The water will again separate from this emulsion and settle in the bottom of the carb bowl. There will also be a bit of fuel/water remaining in low places in the fuel hose, filter, fuel pump (if present). The water separates there too. Next, when you fill the tank and try to restart the engine, the water in the lines rushes into the carb, swirling around in the bowl as the bowl refills. If some of this water gets drawn into the very small pilot jet passages, the passages will become "blocked". Gasoline is not as thick and viscous as water. Gasoline will (obviously) pass through the pilot jet passages, water will clog the pilot jet passages. I would add a little "Dri-gas" to the fuel in the tank and then run the tractor in normal duties. Dri-gas is just one brand of alcohol based product to help clear water from a fuel system. Available at all automotive parts centers. Even though pump gas now has ethanol blended into the formula, sometimes, that amount is not enough to clear out an accumulation of water that has migrated to the wrong place. The other thing that can happen in a fuel out event is: Sometimes, carburetor float bowls can have a bit of solid debris collected in the bottom of the bowl. Because the fuel out event nearly empties the bowl (which never occurs if the tank is not run empty), the inrushing fresh fuel that arrives after you refill the tank, stirs up some of this stuff. And because there is usually a need to restart and move the machine immediately, this junk does not have time to re-settle before the engine is run, so this suspended junk can be drawn into the pilot jet and clog it. Try the Seafoam and Dri-gas for a couple of tanks and see if the surging disappears. If it is due to water, it should clear up. If it is due to solid junk, a carb cleaning and probing may be required. Fill your tank before you store the machine, a full tank gathers less moisture from the air.

Oh, that's too bad. I bet they looked lovely. I'm sensitive to smells & pollens so I don't have fresh flowers or cuttings in the house. During Daffodil Days for the Cancer Society I found out, the hard way, that I can't stand the smell of them. I love the look of them and how they represent spring. Once I bought them knowing I couldn't keep them indoors and put them in a vase on the patio table so I could enjoy safely them through the patio door. The vase blew over and broke, even though I thought I had it weighted down sufficiently. Luckily, it didn't break the glass table. Now I just give them a donation and tell them to keep the flowers. Most years it's still winter here during Daffodil Days and the flowers are such a welcome change. This year my magnolia is already in bloom and the daffodils have been up in yards for weeks. I wonder how that might impact the Cancer Society's sales.

Hobbiest! I had not thought of that. I just checked my stained glass shades (repro) I bought from lighting sites: and they DO have much more even foiling and soldering. From my perspective of having taken ONE class in stained glass, I know that the curved pieces in this would have been a bear to foil neatly. I'd rather a hobbiest piece than Hobby Lobby, so that's all to the good. Thanks! Now, to add a nice base to my ongoing search....