My MTD Lawnflite 16HP 656cc Briggs & Stratton engine ride- on mower keeps cutting out. It has fuel, correct amount of oil, clean filters, new battery. It starts and I let it run a while, then, if I engage the cutting deck or drive, it runs for a few seconds (if I'm lucky) then cuts out despite increasing revs. It's an old model - second-hand. Alas, I have no handbook.
Any ideas please?
Many thanks.

Cecylia Malenczak, July 2009

If the engine runs good before ingage the pto or the deck. I would look for a safty wire that may be grounding out. The most important one will probley be the one that works off of the reverse posistion on the mower also the pto handle. However check all of the wires to be sure that none of them have rubbed the housing off anywhere. If every thang looks good on the wires, have someone who knows how to work on lawnmowers disconect the kill wires from the engine. Let them try the mower out to see if it will continue to run for you. With that and every thang you have said you should find the problem.

james, August 2009