Won't crank have cleaned carburetor changed spark plug drained gas and put fresh had it cranking at one point and could ride it but it would not idle

is it getting spark ---is fuel going thru carb --air filter clean -- fuel filter good--have you check and tested safety switches seat/pto etc

You should be ok to clean the carburetor out clean the gas tank out and put new spark plugs or clean the plugs real good and it should crank be sure to run clean gas through line to fuel pump to be sure of gas circulation

sounds like bad gas or carburetor issue. drain all gas out and put in fresh. if it has a bowl on the bottom of the carburetor take it off and see if there is water or dirt in there. if it looks really bad you may have to take the carburetor of and clean it. this should make it run like new.

I'm assuming the motor will crank over, but not start. Remove the air intake cover & filter off the carburetor air intake. Do you smell gas? Is gas dripping out of the carburetor? If not, spray a couple shots of starting fluid or carburetor cleaner into the carburetor air intake throat. Close the choke & crank the engine. If it starts, & stalls, repeat the process. If it won't stay running, your carburetor float jet is gummed up & needs to be cleaned. Check & clean the spark plug. Does the spark plug fire when the engine is cranked? If no, then you have an ignition problem.

Check for good , strong spark. Take spark plug out and ground the outer core of the plug to the engine. Hold the plug with a pair of insulated pliers. Have someone crank the engine while you observe for a good strong blue spark. If the spark looks nice and bluish, then next would be to clean the carburetor. I suggest trying a "quick clean before taking the carburetor bowl off. Take spray carburetor cleaner and spray inside the carb throat with the air cleaner off. Also take about 1/2 can/bottle of fuel line injection cleaner and put it in the gas tank. Then try starting the mower. May sure the gas in the tank is fresh.

The problem may be a dirty carburetor. Before going thru the hassle of removing the carburetor, I suggest you get a spray can of carburetor cleaner and a bottle of fuel line / injector cleaner. Pour about 12 oz.. of the fuel line cleaner into the gas tank. Take the air filter off and spray the cleaner inside the throat of the carburetor. Let the cleaner do its job for a few seconds. Disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug and turn the engine over a few times. You can repeat this a few times. Start the mower and let it idle a few minutes. During normal use the fuel line cleaner will clean the carburetor. I also suggest you change the gas filter before you clean out the carburetor. Check the air cleaner, and repace if very dirty.

Probably dead gas from sitting too long. Dump it out & put in fresh gas.Could have moisture in it. Pull out spark plug & crank it over several times after putting gas & let it sit a while to dry out or blow it out with compressed air. It should go.

Hi men2cu...
Try this method, being you have spark and gas getting to the carburetor...

Get a can of starting fluid, and spray a small amount of it into the carburetor and then try to crank it again...if it cranks and runs then problem fixed...if it cranks and shuts off right away, then you have some trash in your inlet valve in your carburetor.
You can try tapping the carburetor lightly with a hammer and sometimes that will dislodge the float needle if it doesn't dislodge the needle valve then the carburetor will have to be disassemble and cleaned.
Once this is complete your generator should run fine.
Please take time to rate me

Unable to crank? Do you mean unable to start?

If you leave gasoline inside tank over long period of time, that will 'gum-up' and ruin carburetor.
To prevent problem, put additive in gasoline or empty gas from tank:: under gas tank should be a hex bolt that holds up gas filter > loosen bolt and drain gas.

Starting the engine:
Take off air filter and spray WD-40 directly into carburetor.
Start engine, engine should fire on the WD-40 accelerant.
If engine fires but does not keep running, try spraying WD-40 into carburetor continuously to see if you can keep engine going.
If engine stops each time after it no longer gets WD-40, then carburetor is bad or gasoline not getting to carburetor or gasoline is bad.
Try fresh gasoline.
Do not turn small engine on side or upside down or oil will get into carburetor.

Check gas supply: Go to gas filter under gas tank. Pull loose rubber hose that connects to carburetor and see if gas comes out rubber hose.
If gas is flowing to carburetor, then carburetor is gummed up.
Small engine repair might suggest 'gum out' or have other suggestions ... but you may need a new carburetor

If engine will not fire on WD-40
If engine will not fire on WD-40 at all, then spark coil may be bad or exhaust port is clogged
Check screen that covers exhaust >> is it covered with carbon and dirt or can air pass through it easily?
Check spark
Remove spark plug
Put spark wire back on spark plug
Hold spark plug by rubber spark cap so hands don't touch metal part of spark plug
Touch spark plug threads against hole where spark plug was removed >>> metal to metal so it conducts electricity
Pull start cord and look for sparking between spark plug threads and metal of engine (don't look at the spark gap ... look where metal meets metal
If you have no spark, the spark coil is bad >> time for estimate from small engine repair shop or get your part number and order replacement

check gas tank with light is there dirt in tank? did you change fuel filter? is there spark at the spark plug? try a 2 second spurt of starting fluid in carburetor and crank does it fire?if it does then you most likely need to clean carburetor with carburetor cleaning spray, flush fuel lines with spray and swap fuel filter.