Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): carburtor connecting rod, briggs and stratton, hello bill

Question
I acquired a MTD Yardmaster 17.5 hp riding tractor that had not been used for a year or more and the carb was gummed up i removed it and cleaned it  it works great now but in removing it  there was a small rod that was just hanging on the bracket and i can not figure out where it goes or what it connects to. the throttle cable is connected as well as the choke cable. the cable looks like a six inch piece of steel rod that has a hook on one end  a slight bend in the middle  and then goes in to a 90 degree bend back onto itself with another hook on the end. the model number is a Briggs and Stratton model# 313787 engine. What happens when  i fire up the engine is i can not throttle down the rpms from the throttle lever. can u help?

Answer
 Hello Bill:

 From your Description it Sounds like the Rod is the Throttle Control Rod from the Governor Control Arm to the Carburetor Throttle thru Shaft. You can View a Breakdown/IPL of this Engine at this Addy http://www.outdoordistributors.com/ and Click the B. Then Select Briggs and Stratton. Then Select Don't have Part Numbers. The Select File # 31. Then Select Folder # 313700. This will Download a Breakdown/IPL. The Carburetor Throttle Thru Shaft is on Page 5 of 13 and is Diagram #'s 131 or 141. This Rod is Usually Hooked to the Governor Control Arm and then the Carburetor is Hooked to this Rod when the Carburetor is being Reattached to the Engine. Hope this Helps. I am here if you Require more Assistance. Let me know what Happens, Please. Thanks.

 Good Luck

 Respectfully

 John