briggs 44ELS on my X525 mower wants to stall

This starts just fine but as soon as the choke starts to open it wants to stall. New plugs.
If I hold the choke control full forward (closed position) it runs pretty much ok but as soon as I take my hand off it sarts to open and the machine starts surging like every 2 seconds. Blades running, or blades disengaged the same. And any throttle position less than full tils it stalls. Sounds like fuel starved..??

I'm new to these 2 cyl 4 stroke engines. Anybody have any advice on most likely issue? Oh yeah, I did change the fuel pump over the winter, from Amazon, said it was OEM. I can see fuel flowing in the clear fuel filter.

Georgec

Did you check for free flow from tank to pump, then from pump to carb? Sure sounds like you're not getting enough.

Mark, I can see it flowing thru the fuel filter. Pinching the vacuum line to the pump and I see a difference in fuel flow. But its a japanese fuel pump sold as an OEM, have a different one coming in Monday, going to try that
GeorgeC

Sure it isn't a Z525E?

And even it is a Z525E then we the model and type along with date code off the rocker/valve cover.

JD used mulitple engines on that mower.