Gravely dies going uphill

[mjfox6]

My Dad has a 12hp Gravely tractor that dies whenever he tries to go uphill or pushes down on the handlebars. He can back up hills and put the tractor under a load without any problems. He's changed points, plugs, plug wires, fuel pump and rebuilt the carburetor, but it still does it. Any ideas? Thanks!

 

[Eric_Phillips]

Let me get this right. When you go up hill or push down on the handles, lifting the front end the engine dies. going down hill or on the flats no problem. Sounds like there is something in the gas tank that is covering the outlet when the unit is tilted backwards. I had an old snowblower once that sometimes ran great and other times would be temperamental. I found the cardboard top from a bottle of dry gas. Fixed the problem right up.

 

[Travelover]

I agree with Eric, it is a fuel problem. Either fuel is not getting to the carb or something in carb is assembled wrong. I'd look at the float and float valve very closely.

 

[mjfox6]

Thanks fellows!

 

[mjfox6]

Float problem it was. The new floats don't work well in the old machines. They had to "re-engineer" it to fit correctly. Wonder if it will last another 35 years!? Thanks again for your help.