Tractor quit starting so I replace the battery. New battery worked fine for a few days but now tractor won't start.

Have you checked the ground link cable? Run a jumper from the "-" to an earth spot on the engine and then see if you have lights and power.

Check power at solnoid on cable coming from battery. 12-13V. With key turn to start should have 12-13v

Have you checked the ignitions circuit? Could be an electrical short, bare wire???
Also check the breather on the fuel tank, its probably in the filer cap.

The float needle in the carburetor is not closing which will allow gas to keep filling up into the cylinder and compression is blowing it up to the air filter.
There could be dirt or a build up ring around the needle of a jelly like material from sitting through the winter or just a build up over a long time
Cleaning the float needle may work but a new one is better

Try getting new switch. Check bad spots.

Is the engine free to rotate? Can you move it by hand? If not, the starter can't.
If so, try removing the plug and starting it.
Gary

my lx173 quits running after a while and will start back up and run for a while longer and quit again

When you let it sit did you remove all the fuel or add a additive? If you did not then I would recommend that you remove all the fuel and add brand new fuel to your system. Gasoline only last for about 3 to 4 months before it will start to go bad and this sounds like your problem

it sounds like the battery doesnt have enough crankinc amps. thats a pretty big engine and should have probably have atleast 250 cranking amps. its possible the starter is going bad also

Something is of coarse grounding to chassy,therfore draining battery. I would suspect replacement of starter solinoid and of coarse a quick fix would be to just make it easy enought to disconnect the positive cable from battery post each time you finish with tractor and this will assure you a full charge when your ready to use again.

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