Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): lawnmower, compression release, fire fuel

Question
i own a yardman rider 15.5 ohv the thing turns over really hard when trying to start even off a jump even harder when choked i have tried new battery air cleaner and even removed muffler thought maybe it was plugged but nothing now there is an electrical gizzmo not sure what it is hooked to the bottom edge of carb even with key only in on position it gets fairly warm but this thing is a bare to start Harley like compression but once i do get it started it seems to run fine and will start back up same day but when it sits for a couple same thing again

Answer
The lil thing on the bottom of your carb is an anti fire fuel solonoid.  It prevents the engine from back firing when you shut the engine off by stopping the fuel to the carb.

You have a possiblility of three possibilities..

The most likely cause is a broken compression release.  This is on the camshaft and allows the engine to turn over easier during the starting cycle.

your valves are out of adjustment and simply need to be readjusted

You have a bad starter.  Take your hand - palm down and manuallly try to turn the engine over... Does it work?  is it difficult?  See where I am going here...

The most common problem I see in the shop is compression release/camshaft however.  This entails removing the engine, disassembling it and replacing the camshaft.

hope this helps...
Dave