"Robert Chambers" wrote in message
...
sounds like the carburettor is gummed up and having issues delivering
fuel to the engine on a continual basis. Unfortunately unless you are
lucky it will require the removal and cleaning of the carb to get it
going in good order again. It is good to run the mower out of fuel
after the last cut of the year. Empty the fuel tank by running it dry
if you can't drain it and spray a fog of WD-40 in there. Clean out any
accumulated grass under the deck and spray that down too to prevent rust.

I had similar problems with Lawnboy discussed here last month. Someone
advised carburetor cleaner added to the gas and this made considerable
improvement. I think Toro and Lawnboy are same company now but do not know
if they both share crappy carburetors that homeowner cannot adjust.
Frank