Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Tractor not starting, twin cylinder engine, internal passages

Question
I have a 6 yr old Craftsman 46" cut riding mower.  It has a 19.5 HP B&S INTEK twin cylinder engine.  It was running great in the fall when I put it up for the winter.  The tank was emptied and ran dry of fuel.  This spring the battery was dead (4yrs old) and replaced.  It cranks but won't run.  If I spray carb cleaner or starting fluid in the intake it will run.  It seems like it is not getting fuel.  I replaced the fuel filter.  Do you think it is the carb or the fuel filter and how can I best clean the carb without dismantling it?

Answer
If it runs on a squirt of fuel, there is a problem with the carb.  There is no proper way to clean a carb without dismantling it.  You need to push a piece of tag wire through all of the internal passages to do it correctly.  Make sure there is fuel coming to the carb (fuel shut-off turned on, plugged filter, faulty fuel pump, etc.)  The first indicator is there should be fuel in the float bowl.  If there is, the carb needs to be cleaned.  If there isn't, there is a problem between the tank and the carb.  Hope this helps.