Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): riding mower hard to turn over and start, briggs stratton, jumper cables

Question
Removing the blade belt helped - it almost starts easy!  I have two blades - now I have to figure out why the belt is tighter then it should be (i replaced the belt and same problem).  Awhile back the way it mows changed to where on the highest setting the left blade mows pretty low while the right one is barely spinning.  On the second to highest setting the right blade is spinning well, but they are both mowing very low - too low really.  I'm guessing the slop in the mower deck adjustments has just gotten worse.  I dont know if there are any setup instructions on these or where I might get a manual for a lawn chief.

Thanks


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Followup To
Question -
It has done this since I bought it (used) beginning of last summer.  If it doesnt fire the first time, with fresh batteries (including the jump one), I pretty much have no chance and have to go back and charge again.  

Turns over pretty well with the spark plug removed.  I do occasionally hit things with the blades, but nothing to stop the engine, so I was a bit worred about a sheared key - havent checked any of that yet.  Just recently (this summer) it has started mowing real uneven from one blade to the other (uneven height wise), and cuts real low even though i have the blade height lever on the highest position. Never used to do this.  But now I'm wondering if the deck is somehow hanging loose or needs adjustment, so the blade drive belt if dragging down the engine when I try to start it - that is, the belt may always be partially engaged?

Thanks, Andrew

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Followup To
Question -
I have an old lawn chief with a briggs & stratton 14.5 HP motor that the starter can barely turn over.  I use a good battery, plus a jumper battery, and have even tried connecting up a second battery directly to the starter with jumper cables, but still the starter can barely turn it past the compression stroke.  I have replaced the starter's brushes, the rest of it looked good.  I have replaced the starter soleniod.  I realize the battery cabled to the starter can't put thru a lot of amps as the cable alligator clips barely touch of course.  Is it possible my timing is way advanced, causing the thing to want to fire backwards at such low rpm?
Andrew
Answer -
Did the problem happen suddenly or has the engine sat for a while?  Has the engine recently been rebuilt or taken apart?

I doubt it is a timing problem unless some has recently adjusted the valves or the engine has suddenly stopped abruptly causing the flywheel key to shear.

Try removing the spark plugs and the tring to turn over the engine.
Let me know what happens.
Eric
Answer -
A partially engaged belt could definitely make the engine hard to start.  Have you tried starting the engine with the belt removed.

The flywheel key will also cause the engine to not start correctly.  Usually tractor flywheel keys do not shear, but I always check them.  An impact gun makes removing the flywheel nut real easy.

Do you have 2 or 3 blades on the deck?
Let me know if it turns over better with the belt removed.
Eric

Answer
Check the deck hangers...these used to wear pretty bad.  You will see spots on the hangers where the deck has rubbed/ground into the round metal hanger posts.

Does your mower use a lever on the dash board to engage the blades?

Let me know.
Eric