I bought my GT 14 without hearing it run; the previous owner did manage to get it started but it ran poorly. The link at the top of the throtte shaft fell off; I put it back on and tightened the screw. This should have been a clue to look at the carb harder; when I got it apart today the float was so high the needle didn't seat, the upper and lower bowl gaskets were blown out, and there was no gasket between the carb and block.
There was an electric fuel pump hanging loosely off of the side of the frame on the left side, with a gas line going around the front of the grill.
The only factory cable was attached to the carb itself, not the governor. The choke cable looked like it was salvaged off a very cheap mower, was 3 feet too long, and didn't work.
The spark plug was finger-tight.
All of the steering links were very loose; none had seen grease in years.
One tire does not appear to be original; all were low on air.
The bolts holding the loader on were loose. I still have to take the whole thing off and reset it.
It starts up and runs pretty good now. I have to straighten out the wiring but most of it is done, anyway.
I gave it a farmr paint job to stop the rust; next spring I'll be able to do a better job when it isn't cold out.
Always something, but it give me something to do!