I have a yard machine mower that has been running fine. Last week it shut off twice in the middle of cutting but started right back up. This week when I went to cut it started as normal ran for about twenty seconds and died won't start again. If I pour gas in the carb it will fire up, so I know I have fire, I checked the fuel filter it's a little dirty but I can pour gas through it easily .

Please help, Grass is getting out of control :)

Does it have a little solenoid on the bottom of the carb? Does it click? If that's good... make sure gas is getting to the carb (take the fuel line off at the carb and let it go and watch for good flow)

It could be your float sticking. Try tapping on the carb bowel and see if this helps. Some of the older floats get a hole in them and will not float and shuts off the gas.

It could be your float sticking. try tapping on the carb bowel and see if this helps. Some of the older floats get a hole in them and will not float and shuts off the gas.
You have it the other way around, if the float gets a hole in it, it fills with gas and lets the gas flow uncontrollably... (usually into the oil and out the muffler or up and out the top of the carb)

I STAND CORRECTED! The Briggs Dude is correct. When the float sinks it don't shut off and the gas will get into the oil. Thanks for CORRECTING my mistake. KENTUCKY NICK:(

I STAND CORRECTED!! The Briggs Dude is correct. When the float sinks it don't shut off and the gas will get into the oil. Thanks for CORRECTING my mistake. KENTUCKY NICK:(
The big thing here to do when this happens... DO NOT RUN THE ENGINE!! not only can it explode... but it breaks the oil film down, so your moving parts are riding on mostly gas.