If you have a plastic fuel tank, where the hose goes in and the part inside could have a problem. I had the same symptoms and had to replace to get a full fuel flow.

It wasn't a John Deere but had the plastic style tank.

 

Did you try checking the carb solenoid,to see if it's working properly ?
Did you check the crankcase breather,to see if it's plugged ?
Try using a spray bottle of fuel (air filter off) to see if it stays running if you spray fuel into it. If it does,the problem could be a weak/bad armature(coil),bad ignition switch,or a blown head gasket.

 

M neighbor jueplaced the fuel line on his tractor, that has a plastic tank. Would start and then run for 10sec and die. Fuel line was pinching at the bottom of the tank when he reinstalled it. Re-routed it and all is well.
Take a look,

 

solenoid on old and new carbs are working correctly.

With the air cleaner removed, started the engine, and ran until it started to sputter. sprayed some fuel, and it revved back up, until the spray was consumed.

It is a plastic tank. The pickup line comes out the top of the tank, makes a 90 degree turn, then runs down along the frame. working on it last night, I noticed a air bubbles coming from the fuel line into the filter. Which is making me believe I have an issue with the fuel pickup and/or a pin hole somewhere in the supply line

 

Sounds like you're on the right track.

 

" It is a plastic tank. The pickup line comes out the top of the tank, makes a 90 degree turn, then runs down along the frame. working on it last night, I noticed a air bubbles coming from the fuel line into the filter. Which is making me believe I have an issue with the fuel pickup and/or a pin hole somewhere in the supply line "

That's exactly what mine looked like. I had to order the parts that came out of the tank new. You need a full flow of fuel at the fuel pump or where the fuel line ends. If not check things back toward the tank.

 

Sounds like you have something to go on, Let us know how it works out.

 

It's ALIVE!!! I pulled the fuel line from the tank pickup and ran piece of trimmer line down the pickup and pushed a leaf and some grass back into the tank; syphoned them out of the tank. Then ran the trimmer line down the main fuel line, and encountered an obstruction/kink. Once past that point it fired up and ran like a champ

 

It's ALIVE!!! I pulled the fuel line from the tank pickup and ran piece of trimmer line down the pickup and pushed a leaf and some grass back into the tank; syphoned them out of the tank. Then ran the trimmer line down the main fuel line, and encountered an obstruction/kink. Once past that point it fired up and ran like a champ

Sorry for all the problems it's caused you, but, it has made for a good thread full of info. I'm glad to hear you got it fixed!

 

Congrat's on doing it yourself, With only a bit of input.

 

It's ALIVE!!! I pulled the fuel line from the tank pickup and ran piece of trimmer line down the pickup and pushed a leaf and some grass back into the tank; syphoned them out of the tank. Then ran the trimmer line down the main fuel line, and encountered an obstruction/kink. Once past that point it fired up and ran like a champ

Just I'm wondering how a leaf and somme grass managed to get into your fuel tank? Someone playing games?

 

just mower clippings fell into the tank while fueling it up I guess