Hi folks. I looked to see if there was a previous thread dealing with this, but didn't find one. Hopefully someone can help.

I have a 17.5 hp B&S on a Troy Built Pony. The engine will turn, then drag
as if the battery is weak. I've had the battery tested & it's fine. If I pull the spark plug the engine turns like a charm. The minute I put the plug back in
the above scenario repeats. I've tried a new plug & double checked the gap.
This tractor is not even a year old & has given me no issues to this point.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.

sounds like this engine has been ran way to hot and you might have a ring sticking prob. change the oil spray some lube spray into the sparlplug hole while turning it over replace plug and try starting it again it will smoke a bit from the lube spray

if this is a over head valve engine pull the rocker cover and check the push rods its not unusual to find them bent or just laying in the head if your rings were sticking the engine would be smoking and fouling plugs briggs intek models love to throw push rods could be as simple as rocker clearence out of adjustment good luck

Hi folks. I looked to see if there was a previous thread dealing with this, but didn't find one. Hopefully someone can help.

I have a 17.5 hp B&S on a Troy Built Pony. The engine will turn, then drag
as if the battery is weak. I've had the battery tested & it's fine. If I pull the spark plug the engine turns like a charm. The minute I put the plug back in
the above scenario repeats. I've tried a new plug & double checked the gap.
This tractor is not even a year old & has given me no issues to this point.

Any suggestions will be appreciated.
First, check your solenoid by bridging the high current contacts. Next, check your starter. One of the brush leads could have separated from one of the brushes. I had that happen on a 14.5 HP OHV Briggs. The best way to do this is to substitute a known good starter. You did mention the engine isn't too old. Some B&S Engines had a compression release problem with the camshaft, but probably not this one. This can be verified by providing B&S Customer Service with the Model, Type and Code Numbers of the engine.

First, check your solenoid by bridging the high current contacts. Next, check your starter. One of the brush leads could have separated from one of the brushes. I had that happen on a 14.5 HP OHV Briggs. The best way to do this is to substitute a known good starter. You did mention the engine isn't too old. Some B&S Engines had a compression release problem with the camshaft, but probably not this one. This can be verified by providing B&S Customer Service with the Model, Type and Code Numbers of the engine.
Another thing I forgot! (Good Grief!) Check your valve lash!! Very important! If the valve clearances are too loose, the compression release will be ineffective. Matter of fact, I'd check that first. I think Briggs specifies 0.008 an 0.010, but I usually set both intake and exhaust to 0.008". I should have thought of this first.

It was simply a choke adjustment issue.
Thanks anyways for the advise.