Luc55
When it starts to sputter, I've sprayed starting fluid into the carburetor and it immediately picks back up and runs a couple of minutes longer
Okay, you've just narrowed it down quite a bit. It's fuel related..
Under load, the engine, generally, needs slightly more fuel, so it may be leaning out
once hot and under load.
A new carb likely won't fix this (un-less yours is clogged, which it doesn't sound like it).
Richening up the mix
may help. Kawasaki may have various jets available for the machine.
If it is narrowed down to jetting, drilling a slightly larger hole in the main jet(s) would provide
more fuel... There are very , very small drill bits available for this.
"Shocking" the fuel with say "Sea Foam" , if the carb is clogged could help (certainly can't hurt)..
Can you post a picture of the spark plug here WHEN IT HAPPENS?
We need to "read" the plug
Just for S & G's, try attaching an independent fuel tank and have it gravity feed direct to the carb.
See if that makes a difference...
.