My 2007 Troy built mower starts and runs fine. The moment I engage the blades AND take my foot off the brake, it begins to spit, sputter, backfire and nearly will die. When I push in the brake, it stops and runs normally. If I disengage the blades, it runs perfectly. What is going on?

With the mower off... make sure there isn't any rope or wire wrapped around the blade and spindle. And that they turn and aren't frozen in place due to seized bearings.


DO you get a squealing belt noise as well?


EDIT: That was before I saw the brake thing. That points towards a safety feature as mentioned in the next post.

Hi,
Bad seat switch or the connections between.
Peace,
Clarke

Is this a single cylinder or a twin ?