is the blade a factory toro recyler blade???? do not use generac blades. to adjust the rpm's. as you look at the air filter directly in front of you, just to the right side you will see a small "arm" that a spring is attatched to. move this arm outward, toward the front wheel. sometime, alot of time what happens is someone is mowing under bushes, car, picnic table, you get the idea. this arm will get pushed backward and drop the rpms down..
If you're even in CT I owe you a beer or whatever you drink!! lol... That was the problem for sure. It was running about 60% and that little arm had been moved quite a bit. I managed to adjust with the cover off and with the mower running so I know I'm getting full RPM without over ridding the gov...... Mowed quite a bit and no clogs so I'm certain that was the problem Nice that the manual doesn't mention that little problem because it looks like it's pretty easy to happen. Thanks again and you just saved that mower from the junk pile. I was ready to buy another moweer today as it wasn't worth using like it was............ cthusker.......