Why am I having to twist my motor around by hand, off a compression stroke, before it will start?

Just bought a used one for the lake and in a bind or uphill it jerks will this be belt or transmission thanks

Have craftsman dlt 3000 riding mower. Main problem is when I press in the clutch and start the engine it dies when I put it in gear and release the clutch. Also dies if I try to engage the blades. Hope you can help. KC

My Craftsman DLT 3000 is running fine, but I am unable to get the blades to engage. When I raise the lever to get the blades to engage, it is stiff, and I get no movement from the blades. Looking at the little steel cable that the lever is connected to there's not great tension on the cable. When I...

My Craftsman DLT 3000 is running fine, but I am unable to get the blades to engage. When I raise the lever to get the blades to engage, it is stiff, and I get no movement from the blades. Looking at the little steel cable that the lever is connected to there's not great tension on the cable. When I...