A fuel shut off solenoid has nothing to do with fuel leaking OUT of the carb. It's simply a plunger that shuts off fuel in the Main Jet, preventing fuel from being drawn into the engine to prevent back/afterfire when shutting the engine off.
A GOOD carb "shouldn't" leak.

A fuel shutoff valve is recommended if you have a "gravity feed" fuel system (tank higher than carb) to eliminate the chance of fuel flowing through the carb when the engine is not running. As bill stated "a good carb doesn't leak". Fuel might flow through a "good carb" if the machine is parked on an unlevel surface because that can defeat the ability of the float to shut the needle valve which controls the flow of fuel into the carb and keeps it at a specific height or level in the bowl. Machines that require a fuel pump (carb higher than tank) to move the fuel from the tank to the carb are not usually affected by this unless they are parked with the fuel tank elevated higher than the carb. Equipping your fuel line with a cutoff valve is good insurance against one of those things that ain't supposed to happen. No, it is not "normal" to lose fuel. It's unfortunate and hazardous.

"I can expect to see the puddle of gas from my tractor until I install a shutoff? "

That is the least of your problem. If you are seeing a puddle of gas there is a good chance that the engine oil is also being contaminated with gas.

"(My CV490 has the fuel shutoff solenoid) "

That does not shut off gas getting to the carb. and leaking.

Walt Conner

Sounds like you have a bad carburetor (still) or else the fuel leak is coming from somewhere else.

Regardless, it should not leak, and you should not have to shut the fuel off.

"Regardless, it should not leak, and you should not have to shut the fuel off."

You are talking in the "perfect world" in reality he does need an inline shutoff valve.

Walt Conner

Hmm -- well, my 19 year old Troy-bilt mower lacks a fuel shutoff -- it doesn't leak fuel and never has.

The 10 HP Subaru Robin engine in the Powermate generator has a fuel shutoff which is nice to turn off and run the engine dry for storage. But it doesn't leak any fuel either.

Carburetors are not supposed to leak fuel. It is a defect and an extreme fire hazard.

Yep, you shouldn't of brought one with a Kohler (which puts the Piece of "S") in the Craftman. IMO thats why you got it cheap, it probably been leaking for a long time.
"good chance that the engine oil is also being contaminated with gas". This could be a good thing!?! Clean all the sludge out due to no oil changes". Fix the POS engine then later when lack of maintenance well break something else you can call the rest of the LT a POS.

cowboy,
whatever you do to fix it & it should be fixable, be sure your insurance is up to date

Smelly, fire hazard....you need to get it fixed correctly ! Jim