Craftsman lawn tractor: cranks but won't start

I have a Craftsman DYT 4000 lawn tractor with the Kohler 20 hp motor its a 2007 model I think. It will crank but not fire. It ran fine mowing a few days ago, then stopped as I was climbing a hill, died like it ran out of gas, and I think it is a fuel issue. I replaced the fuel filter, put new tank of gas in. I also removed and cleaned the carb, didn't remove any parts, just took it off the chasis and cleaned with cleaner. Tried without the air filter on - no change. It has spark, and compression, and in a past forum I saw to try adding a few drops of gas into the spark plug, which did kick it over for about 3 seconds, then nothing.

 

Take the plug wire off and tie it back so you won't get a spark off it. Then take off the carb bowl and spin the engine over a couple of times to see if fuel is coming past the float. Catch the gas in a cup if it is.

 

Make sure the fuel solenoid is working.

 

How would I check the solenoid?

 

I'm not sure if I did what you asked, but was able to confirm that gas is at least getting into the carb - I removed the air filter and casing over the carb, and disconnected the plug, and when the engine turns, with the choke all the way open, I could clearly see gas squirting inside the carb.

 

You narrowed it down. The fuel solenoid that BFH suggested needs checked if you have one. It's a little metal solenoid affair on the bottom of the carb bowl. Take it off, ground the side of it to the engine and turn the key on/off. You should hear it click.

That thing doesn't shut the fuel off from entering the carb. It shuts it off from progressing through the carb to the engine when you shut off the engine. If it was malfunctioning it would give you what you got now.

 

great - will check that. thanks