JD 175 hydro power issues

I have a John Deere 175 hydro mower with a Kawasaki 16 HP engine, and recently it's been giving me problems with mowing. When I start it and turn the PTO on almost always it dies and I have to start it again. I also have issues with when I mow at a normal speed through a thicker area of grass it dies and becomes hard to start. I think it is a carburetor issue but hardly know anything about them. I have already changed the fuel filter and cleaned out the air filter, so if anyone has any suggestions they would be much appreciated.



I like this mower and feel like I should be getting much more power out of it.