I have a 63" agri-fab trail mower with the 14.5 horse briggs & stratton engine. It has key ignition. Mower will start if I pour a little gas directly into the carb, but dies quickly. Without gas poured in, it won't start at all. I am guessing fuel pump is bad. I have good fuel flow to the pump (I checked to make sure line wasn't clogged). Any thoughts?

Many thanks!

Has the unit set for a period, say more than 30 days? Has it been giving any other problems? Could be water in the fuel, trash in the carb. or the needle and float stuck. Check the fuel, and remove the carb bowl and clean it and see if the float is moving freely. And yes it could be the pump, but not likely.