John Deere 335 Intermittently Dying (20 HP Kawasaki)

[shany1]

Hello, I am new to this site and I am hoping that someone may be able to help me out with a ongoing problem I have been experiencing for the past two years. Here are some specifics, I have a John Deere 335 with a 20 HP Kawasaki (Air Cooled) and it will intermittently sputter and eventually die while cutting the grass (this problem has only occurred while blades were engaged). This problem does not always occur; sometimes I can cut the grass for several weeks without any problems. When the symptom's arise I can keep the tractor running by choking it (as soon as I release the choke it will die). The mower will immediately restart after it has died sometimes it will run fine and allow me to finish cutting the grass and other times it will die again after a few minutes, or longer just completely random. Anyone with any insight to offer would be greatly appreciated.
So here is a list of what has been replaced in the past two years:

Spark Plugs
Fuel Pump
Fuel Filter
Gas Cap
Coils
Seat Safety Switch

 

[bruceatlam]

Other basics in case you haven't checked these out:

1. clean up the air cleaner
2. check the fuel pick up in the tank ---- these can rot out/plug up over time

I would speculate that it's a fuel problem and point you to the vent hole in fuel cap, but I see that you put on a new cap.

 

[bullbreaker]

Hello, I am new to this site and I am hoping that someone may be able to help me out with a ongoing problem I have been experiencing for the past two years. Here are some specifics, I have a John Deere 335 with a 20 HP Kawasaki (Air Cooled) and it will intermittently sputter and eventually die while cutting the grass (this problem has only occurred while blades were engaged). So here is a list of what has been replaced in the past two years:

Spark Plugs
Fuel Pump
Fuel Filter
Gas Cap
Coils
Seat Safety Switch

Since you probably have an electric pto ? I would check battery also ,just cause it starts garden tractor its has to be correctly charged to work with electric pto . As you state problem only occurs when blades are engaged . Also check your spark plug wires .
I had a similar problem when I had a JD GT235 18 HP Kawasaki . Just some thoughts ......

 

[shany1]

Thanks for the replies. Yes I do have an electric PTO and interestingly enough I replaced the battery last year (so hopefully that is good) but I will give the spark plug wires a once over.