here is the update, the 610 is working like a charm but sunday at the lake the old 550 lost power going up hill and dies, after much cranking it did start, ran back home lower rpm or it also died.
after doing some investigation I suspected the fuel pump, but testing as the manual describes it passes however not a lot of fuel, dealer was no inventory so took one for the 610, the 610 is all plastic the 550 is a 3 part aluminum housing, installed the pump, lot more volume, did a carb cleaning, it had a fair amount of crud in the bowel so after installing it the machine runs like a charm better than the 610 at idle.
now Im no sceptic but thats 2 machines, both needing new fuel pumps and carb cleaning, what are the odds? Im suspecting bad gas from a jerry can last fall, now today I tried to cut the grass at the lake today, would not start, you guessed it no fuel, this is Deere zero turn with a Kawasaki motor but the pump is mechanical on the back of the motor, this pump is 2 seasons old off Amazon, installed a electric low pressure pump and runs fine again, thinking I will leave the electric pump on this mower and yes same gas was used for all 3 machines last fall.