Briggs 23hp v twin won't start without a shot of carb cleaner

[tex prexhurst]

My Husqvarna 48" riding mower with a 23 hp Briggs engine which I bought new a couple of years ago, has never started easily. If I want it to start without running down the battery, I have to give it a squirt of carb cleaner, then it starts right up. Once it is running, it works fine, and will start right up if I turn it off. What could be the problem?
I'm new to this forum, so if tis has been already answered, I apologize, but I don't know how to search the forum . . . Yet!
Tex.

 

[ILENGINE]

If this has the single throttle choke control. There is a single cable going to the front of the engine. Over time that cable will slip preventing the choke from closing all the way. So move the throttle lever to the choke position. Loosen the clamp and the front of the engine holding the cable and pull until the choke closes all the way, and then tighten the cable clamp.