MTD yardman push mower surging

[AroniaFarmer]

I have just recently got a free yardman push mower. It looks like it has a Honda clone engine on it. When I got it home one governor linkage was off, but nothing else looked bad on it. I put new gas in it and started it. It was surging and running rough unless the choke was on or it was under a heavy load cutting some tall grass. Is this a governor issue or a carb issue?

 

[RandyT]

Carb needs cleaned. But check the price of new carb, because kit plus time may cost more than the carb itself.

 

[AroniaFarmer]

I cleaned the carb with carb cleaner and blew it out with compressed air over 2 times now and it still runs like crap. I think I am going to buy a new carb for it

 

[mostly_gas]

Make sure you have good gas flow into the carb. Things like junk clogging or partially clogging the fuel line, or stick float needle valve can cause your symptoms.