I have a Murray Riding mower with 17.5 hp Briggs and Stratton OHV engine. I bought used last year, tractor is about 3 years old. This engine has always cranked hard and slow. I usually just put jumper cables from battery of mower to battery of my car and it starts OK. But did crank slow even then, but usually started. Today it won't start even with a jump. I checked all connections, Cleaned spark plug. I also hooked jumper cables directly to starter and ground with key on and clutch engaged, still cranks very slowly and no start...

Is this a bad starter? What next?

Thanks
Dan in Florida

It depends on where you hooked your ground. If you hooked the ground clamp right onto the block of the motor then it is probably the starter. Although you need to make sure the starter mounting bolts are tight.

Put on new starter and away she goes...
Thanks
Dan

Good! It sounded pretty cut and dry.