I have a mid-eighties Montgomery Ward/MTD 17hp/42" tractor (all manual tranny, etc). Model # is TMO 3100002 (here's the manual, if that helps: http://manuals.mtdproducts.com/mtd/DocGetter?doc=770-8087h.pdf )

Anyhow, I got it out for the first time this year a few days ago, it fires up fine (as it's done for the 10 years I've owned it), and I cut the front yard fine. Right at the end of that, I hear the motor bogging down/conking out, sounds like it does when it runs outta gas, so I raise the deck/disengage the mower & turn it off.

There is gas left, but I add a buncha fresh gas to top it off...start up and it runs fine, UNTIL I try to engage the mower...then it bogs/dies.

Figuring it might be a problem w/the deck (bad bearings causing lotsa friction or something), I remove the deck & the belt completely.

Here's the mystery part....it STILL bogs down & dies, even though the deck isn't sucking any 'power' from the motor!!! It doesn't matter if you're in park or driving, it just bogs/dies (I always disengage before it actually dies, though).

Does anyone know what this might be...what I should check? The belts are old, but they seem fine, and the main double-pulley below the engine (that drives the deck & the transmission) isn't even driving anything when it bogs/dies (no deck/in park)!!! I can't see, or even imagine, how moving the mower deck lever could effect the engine, if the mower isn't even on the tractor!

Any help would be appreciated..THANKS!