On Jul 5, 12:20*am, finiteguy wrote:
I have a 2 year old JD lawn mower with engine problems. Runs rough and
hard to start. Any adjustments that I can make? Air filter and spark
plug new. Gas is also new.

Almost always fuel issues. Sometimes gas evaporates from the carb
while it sits for long periods and deposits form. Remove,
disassemble, and clean the carb. Make sure the jets are clean. If
you see deposits then use a small piece of wire to clean out the main
jet. If it's just 2 years old and you are careful you probably will
be able to reuse the gaskets.

One way to help prevent deposits from forming is ti shut the gas off
and let the engine run until it dies. You don't need to do that
during the summer but you should at the end of the year if it's going
to sit for the winter.

jamesgangnc wrote:
On Jul 5, 12:20 am, finiteguy wrote:
I have a 2 year old JD lawn mower with engine problems. Runs rough
and hard to start. Any adjustments that I can make? Air filter and
spark plug new. Gas is also new.

Almost always fuel issues. Sometimes gas evaporates from the carb
while it sits for long periods and deposits form. Remove,
disassemble, and clean the carb. Make sure the jets are clean. If
you see deposits then use a small piece of wire to clean out the main
jet. If it's just 2 years old and you are careful you probably will
be able to reuse the gaskets.

One way to help prevent deposits from forming is ti shut the gas off
and let the engine run until it dies. You don't need to do that
during the summer but you should at the end of the year if it's going
to sit for the winter.

Since most don't have shutoffs, running the tank dry will do the same.

On 7/5/2011 10:47 AM, Bob F wrote:
jamesgangnc wrote:
....

Almost always fuel issues. Sometimes gas evaporates from the carb
while it sits for long periods and deposits form. Remove,
disassemble, and clean the carb. Make sure the jets are clean. If
you see deposits then use a small piece of wire to clean out the main
jet. If it's just 2 years old and you are careful you probably will
be able to reuse the gaskets.

One way to help prevent deposits from forming is ti shut the gas off
and let the engine run until it dies. You don't need to do that
during the summer but you should at the end of the year if it's going
to sit for the winter.
....

I keep hearing this but in 50+ something years I've seen the feared gas
deposits in the small engine carb exactly -- well, let me count: yes,
zero times. Sediment in fuel from contamination, yes; the fuel itself I
just don't see it and never do more than close the cutoff in winter
storage. Come spring, a spritz of fresh in the carb itself for starting
and away she goes; fresh in the tank to top it off will mix in and by
time need a refill you're all brand new again for another year.

I don't buy it...if it's a fuel issue it could be but I'll bet it's more
of a contamination than otherwise caused. Older leaded gas was somewhat
worse because the lead would gum out but unleaded "not so much"...

$0.02, imo, ymmv, etc., etc., etc., ...

--

On Jul 5, 11:58*am, dpb wrote:
On 7/5/2011 10:47 AM, Bob F wrote: jamesgangnc wrote:

...

Almost always fuel issues. *Sometimes gas evaporates from the carb
while it sits for long periods and deposits form. *Remove,
disassemble, and clean the carb. *Make sure the jets are clean. *If
you see deposits then use a small piece of wire to clean out the main
jet. *If it's just 2 years old and you are careful you probably will
be able to reuse the gaskets.

One way to help prevent deposits from forming is ti shut the gas off
and let the engine run until it dies. *You don't need to do that
during the summer but you should at the end of the year if it's going
to sit for the winter.

...

I keep hearing this but in 50+ something years I've seen the feared gas
deposits in the small engine carb exactly -- well, let me count: *yes,
zero times. *Sediment in fuel from contamination, yes; the fuel itself I
just don't see it and never do more than close the cutoff in winter
storage. *Come spring, a spritz of fresh in the carb itself for starting
and away she goes; fresh in the tank to top it off will mix in and by
time need a refill you're all brand new again for another year.

I don't buy it...if it's a fuel issue it could be but I'll bet it's more
of a contamination than otherwise caused. *Older leaded gas was somewhat
worse because the lead would gum out but unleaded "not so much"...

$0.02, imo, ymmv, etc., etc., etc., ...

--

I've fixed multiple carbs that had deposits inside the jets. Causes a
lean condition and make them run rough or surge. Is it just the fuel,
or is it the fuel plus contaminants, could be. But with lawn
equipment the likelyhood of contaminants in the gas is pretty high.
In gravity fed carbs vented to the atmosphere evaporation will just
continue all year. Turning off the gas stops that. Running the gas
down is even better. It's not a problem with the little diaphram
carbs. They don't have a float bowl.

On Jul 5, 11:58*am, dpb wrote:
On 7/5/2011 10:47 AM, Bob F wrote: jamesgangnc wrote:

...

Almost always fuel issues. *Sometimes gas evaporates from the carb
while it sits for long periods and deposits form. *Remove,
disassemble, and clean the carb. *Make sure the jets are clean. *If
you see deposits then use a small piece of wire to clean out the main
jet. *If it's just 2 years old and you are careful you probably will
be able to reuse the gaskets.

One way to help prevent deposits from forming is ti shut the gas off
and let the engine run until it dies. *You don't need to do that
during the summer but you should at the end of the year if it's going
to sit for the winter.

...

I keep hearing this but in 50+ something years I've seen the feared gas
deposits in the small engine carb exactly -- well, let me count: *yes,
zero times. *Sediment in fuel from contamination, yes; the fuel itself I
just don't see it and never do more than close the cutoff in winter
storage. *Come spring, a spritz of fresh in the carb itself for starting
and away she goes; fresh in the tank to top it off will mix in and by
time need a refill you're all brand new again for another year.

I don't buy it...if it's a fuel issue it could be but I'll bet it's more
of a contamination than otherwise caused. *Older leaded gas was somewhat
worse because the lead would gum out but unleaded "not so much"...

$0.02, imo, ymmv, etc., etc., etc., ...

--

what I've had happen several times is on small engines with floats in
the carbs to control fuel level in the bowl, similar to an automotive
engine, I've had the float stick to the bottom of the bowl and make
the engine flood out. I can only hypothesize that this is due to gum/
varnish from the old gas, but usually simply pulling the bowl and
cleaning the bowl and float solves the issue.

nate

On 7/5/2011 1:53 PM, N8N wrote:
....

what I've had happen several times is on small engines with floats in
the carbs to control fuel level in the bowl, similar to an automotive
engine, I've had the float stick to the bottom of the bowl and make
the engine flood out. I can only hypothesize that this is due to gum/
varnish from the old gas, but usually simply pulling the bowl and
cleaning the bowl and float solves the issue.
....

Guess I'm lucky... --only float problems I've experienced have been
pinhole leaks have doomed a couple and the float valve jet getting some
sediment that keeps from seating or deforms/abrades it enough won't
seal. Old '78 Chevy 4x4 was so bad at one time that it ran enough raw
gas into the block it flooded the plugs out...took a little
head-scratching first symptoms; had never had the event until nearly 65
yr old w/ have lost count the number of vehicles, small and large in
that time!

Don't believe any of above has been fuel per se or related to the
magical properties somehow obtained by letting fuel sit for a few days
or months, though; it's almost always sediment either from tanks or
simply contaminated.

Yet again, ime, $0.02, ymmv, etc., etc., etc., ..., of course.

--

"dpb" wrote in message ...
On 7/5/2011 1:53 PM, N8N wrote:
...

what I've had happen several times is on small engines with floats in
the carbs to control fuel level in the bowl, similar to an automotive
engine, I've had the float stick to the bottom of the bowl and make
the engine flood out. I can only hypothesize that this is due to gum/
varnish from the old gas, but usually simply pulling the bowl and
cleaning the bowl and float solves the issue.
...

Guess I'm lucky... --only float problems I've experienced have been
pinhole leaks have doomed a couple and the float valve jet getting some
sediment that keeps from seating or deforms/abrades it enough won't seal.
Old '78 Chevy 4x4 was so bad at one time that it ran enough raw gas into
the block it flooded the plugs out...took a little head-scratching first
symptoms; had never had the event until nearly 65 yr old w/ have lost
count the number of vehicles, small and large in that time!

Don't believe any of above has been fuel per se or related to the magical
properties somehow obtained by letting fuel sit for a few days or months,
though; it's almost always sediment either from tanks or simply
contaminated.


It seems that the gas where I live has enough ethenol in it that it will
setup. I have a 5 kw generator and before I started putting the Sta-bal in
the gas, I had to clean out some green goop in the carborator several times.
That was after it set about 6 months without starting. I now start it
atleast once a month and it will start on 2 or 3 pulls at the most.


I now put the Sta-bil in all the gas for the small engines and have not had
that problem. I bought a tiller two years ago and often use it just in the
spring. It usually starts on about 3 or 4 pulls with the old gas in it.

I do not seem to get the sediment problem as the gas cans are plastic and so
are most of the tanks.

On 7/5/2011 4:02 PM, Ralph Mowery wrote:
....

It seems that the gas where I live has enough ethenol in it that it will
setup. I have a 5 kw generator and before I started putting the Sta-bal in
the gas, I had to clean out some green goop in the carborator several times.
That was after it set about 6 months without starting. I now start it
atleast once a month and it will start on 2 or 3 pulls at the most.

....

Over 10% ethanol? It's been that here and prior to that in TN for over
10 years and I really can't see a whole lot of difference other than
mileage from the lower Btu content.

Green goop sounds like chemical reaction w/ something in the fuel
system--is it intended for ethanol? So far, even w/ the very old JD
yard equipment (some as early as mid/late-60s, other in mid-70s) I've
not seen any problems even though there was no thought whatsoever back
then about ethanol and still were intended to run on leaded.

The old grain truck that use as the seed tender any more is a '58 Chevy
C60 (tagged for 38M gross for idea) has 283 and still runs "ok". It
needs rings and cam but gets the job done so suspect at my age it'll
outlast me and whoever gets it at the auction can fix it up...

I did use lead-replacement additive in it, but it's become so tough to
find so quit a few years ago...

--

On Tue, 05 Jul 2011 10:58:40 -0500, dpb wrote:

On 7/5/2011 10:47 AM, Bob F wrote:
jamesgangnc wrote:
...

Almost always fuel issues. Sometimes gas evaporates from the carb
while it sits for long periods and deposits form. Remove,
disassemble, and clean the carb. Make sure the jets are clean. If
you see deposits then use a small piece of wire to clean out the main
jet. If it's just 2 years old and you are careful you probably will
be able to reuse the gaskets.

One way to help prevent deposits from forming is ti shut the gas off
and let the engine run until it dies. You don't need to do that
during the summer but you should at the end of the year if it's going
to sit for the winter.
...

I keep hearing this but in 50+ something years I've seen the feared gas
deposits in the small engine carb exactly -- well, let me count: yes,
zero times. Sediment in fuel from contamination, yes; the fuel itself I
just don't see it and never do more than close the cutoff in winter
storage. Come spring, a spritz of fresh in the carb itself for starting
and away she goes; fresh in the tank to top it off will mix in and by
time need a refill you're all brand new again for another year.

I don't buy it...if it's a fuel issue it could be but I'll bet it's more
of a contamination than otherwise caused. Older leaded gas was somewhat
worse because the lead would gum out but unleaded "not so much"...

$0.02, imo, ymmv, etc., etc., etc., ...
Ethanol gas causes the "greenies" in MANY carbs, because it holds
water. Worse in mowers that are stored outside or in extremes of
temperature and high humidity - but DEFINITELY not uncommon - and no
better than in the days of leaded gas.

On Tue, 5 Jul 2011 10:42:19 -0700 (PDT), jamesgangnc
wrote:

On Jul 5, 11:58Â*am, dpb wrote:
On 7/5/2011 10:47 AM, Bob F wrote: jamesgangnc wrote:

...

Almost always fuel issues. Â*Sometimes gas evaporates from the carb
while it sits for long periods and deposits form. Â*Remove,
disassemble, and clean the carb. Â*Make sure the jets are clean. Â*If
you see deposits then use a small piece of wire to clean out the main
jet. Â*If it's just 2 years old and you are careful you probably will
be able to reuse the gaskets.

One way to help prevent deposits from forming is ti shut the gas off
and let the engine run until it dies. Â*You don't need to do that
during the summer but you should at the end of the year if it's going
to sit for the winter.

...

I keep hearing this but in 50+ something years I've seen the feared gas
deposits in the small engine carb exactly -- well, let me count: Â*yes,
zero times. Â*Sediment in fuel from contamination, yes; the fuel itself I
just don't see it and never do more than close the cutoff in winter
storage. Â*Come spring, a spritz of fresh in the carb itself for starting
and away she goes; fresh in the tank to top it off will mix in and by
time need a refill you're all brand new again for another year.

I don't buy it...if it's a fuel issue it could be but I'll bet it's more
of a contamination than otherwise caused. Â*Older leaded gas was somewhat
worse because the lead would gum out but unleaded "not so much"...

$0.02, imo, ymmv, etc., etc., etc., ...

--

I've fixed multiple carbs that had deposits inside the jets. Causes a
lean condition and make them run rough or surge. Is it just the fuel,
or is it the fuel plus contaminants, could be. But with lawn
equipment the likelyhood of contaminants in the gas is pretty high.
In gravity fed carbs vented to the atmosphere evaporation will just
continue all year. Turning off the gas stops that. Running the gas
down is even better. It's not a problem with the little diaphram
carbs. They don't have a float bowl.
But it is STILL a problem - because it's not JUST evaporation that
causes the problem

On Jul 5, 9:24*pm, wrote:
On Tue, 5 Jul 2011 10:42:19 -0700 (PDT), jamesgangnc





wrote:
On Jul 5, 11:58*am, dpb wrote:
On 7/5/2011 10:47 AM, Bob F wrote: jamesgangnc wrote:

...

Almost always fuel issues. *Sometimes gas evaporates from the carb
while it sits for long periods and deposits form. *Remove,
disassemble, and clean the carb. *Make sure the jets are clean. *If
you see deposits then use a small piece of wire to clean out the main
jet. *If it's just 2 years old and you are careful you probably will
be able to reuse the gaskets.

One way to help prevent deposits from forming is ti shut the gas off
and let the engine run until it dies. *You don't need to do that
during the summer but you should at the end of the year if it's going
to sit for the winter.

...

I keep hearing this but in 50+ something years I've seen the feared gas
deposits in the small engine carb exactly -- well, let me count: *yes,
zero times. *Sediment in fuel from contamination, yes; the fuel itself I
just don't see it and never do more than close the cutoff in winter
storage. *Come spring, a spritz of fresh in the carb itself for starting
and away she goes; fresh in the tank to top it off will mix in and by
time need a refill you're all brand new again for another year.

I don't buy it...if it's a fuel issue it could be but I'll bet it's more
of a contamination than otherwise caused. *Older leaded gas was somewhat
worse because the lead would gum out but unleaded "not so much"...

$0.02, imo, ymmv, etc., etc., etc., ...

--

I've fixed multiple carbs that had deposits inside the jets. *Causes a
lean condition and make them run rough or surge. *Is it just the fuel,
or is it the fuel plus contaminants, could be. *But with lawn
equipment the likelyhood of contaminants in the gas is pretty high.
In gravity fed carbs vented to the atmosphere evaporation will just
continue all year. *Turning off the gas stops that. *Running the gas
down is even better. *It's not a problem with the little diaphram
carbs. *They don't have a float bowl.

*But it is STILL a problem - because it's not JUST evaporation that
causes the problem- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I agree, water and ethanol is another problem. It settles out when
the amount of water absorbed by the ethanol reaches a certain
saturation. Worse with small engines because they sit longer and
their fuel systems are more exposed to the atmosphere. I use premium
and add stabilizer all year. I'm never sure when I'm going to stop
using gas equipment. I run the bowl dry on my generator because it
sits longer than anything else.

On 7/5/2011 8:22 PM, wrote:
....

Ethanol gas causes the "greenies" in MANY carbs, because it holds
water. Worse in mowers that are stored outside or in extremes of
temperature and high humidity - but DEFINITELY not uncommon - and no
better than in the days of leaded gas.

Never seen it for some reason...perhaps because it's pretty dry in SW
KS; but that wouldn't explain no problems in E TN (altho there was more
no ethanol there at the time, I never really hunted it out)...

Curious...

--

On 7/6/2011 7:03 AM, jamesgangnc wrote:
....

I agree, water and ethanol is another problem. It settles out when
the amount of water absorbed by the ethanol reaches a certain
saturation. Worse with small engines because they sit longer and
their fuel systems are more exposed to the atmosphere. I use premium
and add stabilizer all year. I'm never sure when I'm going to stop
using gas equipment. I run the bowl dry on my generator because it
sits longer than anything else.

Amazing "everybody" else seems to have such troubles and I somehow
don't...never had any sign of any "settling out" w/ E10 and all the
gas-powered gear (from the smallest 3 hp tiller to two riders to the
trucks (the old grain truck sits for months at a time, particularly over
winter) to the JLG 40H manlift (Wisconsin air-cooled V4) which also sits
for sizable periods.

Just never seems to be an issue w/ fuel/carburetor problems; the C60
truck is a '58 has been on the place since new; it's never had the carb
touched in those 53 years and other than replace the fuel filter on
(rare) occasion, it's never had any fuel system maintenance (oh, well,
yes, I did replace the tank sending unit a few years ago as it had
failed, but all that affected was the dash fuel gauge, of course).

I'm still puzzled by why there seems to be so much trouble elsewhere
it's the first thing everybody jumps on when there's any problem at
all...it really is beyond my ken/experience that fuel/carb is an issue.

The biggest problem I've had w/ small engine carbs is the eventual
wearing of the body around the throttle shaft so that excess air srews
up mixture or it gets difficult to keep the carb body mounted solid on
intake with time which leads to same symptoms/problem. But not trouble
w/ jets gumming/floats sticking, etc., that seems to be what other gets
commented on most heavily.

Guess it'll just have to remain a mystery...

--

On Wed, 06 Jul 2011 14:47:52 -0500, dpb wrote:

On 7/6/2011 7:03 AM, jamesgangnc wrote:
...

I agree, water and ethanol is another problem. It settles out when
the amount of water absorbed by the ethanol reaches a certain
saturation. Worse with small engines because they sit longer and
their fuel systems are more exposed to the atmosphere. I use premium
and add stabilizer all year. I'm never sure when I'm going to stop
using gas equipment. I run the bowl dry on my generator because it
sits longer than anything else.

Amazing "everybody" else seems to have such troubles and I somehow
don't...never had any sign of any "settling out" w/ E10 and all the
gas-powered gear (from the smallest 3 hp tiller to two riders to the
trucks (the old grain truck sits for months at a time, particularly over
winter) to the JLG 40H manlift (Wisconsin air-cooled V4) which also sits
for sizable periods.

Just never seems to be an issue w/ fuel/carburetor problems; the C60
truck is a '58 has been on the place since new; it's never had the carb
touched in those 53 years and other than replace the fuel filter on
(rare) occasion, it's never had any fuel system maintenance (oh, well,
yes, I did replace the tank sending unit a few years ago as it had
failed, but all that affected was the dash fuel gauge, of course).

I'm still puzzled by why there seems to be so much trouble elsewhere
it's the first thing everybody jumps on when there's any problem at
all...it really is beyond my ken/experience that fuel/carb is an issue.

The biggest problem I've had w/ small engine carbs is the eventual
wearing of the body around the throttle shaft so that excess air srews
up mixture or it gets difficult to keep the carb body mounted solid on
intake with time which leads to same symptoms/problem. But not trouble
w/ jets gumming/floats sticking, etc., that seems to be what other gets
commented on most heavily.

Guess it'll just have to remain a mystery...
Farm gas, by chance???
MOST is "ethanol free"

On 7/6/2011 8:14 PM, wrote:
....

Farm gas, by chance???
MOST is "ethanol free"

Nope, even Equity is E10; no local distributor has anything w/o at least E10

--

On Wed, 06 Jul 2011 20:19:14 -0500, dpb wrote:

On 7/6/2011 8:14 PM, wrote:
...

Farm gas, by chance???
MOST is "ethanol free"

Nope, even Equity is E10; no local distributor has anything w/o at least E10
So far in the USA it is either max E10 oe E85 by law. E15 cannot YET
be sold . EPA law.

On Jul 6, 3:47*pm, dpb wrote:
On 7/6/2011 7:03 AM, jamesgangnc wrote:
...

I agree, water and ethanol is another problem. *It settles out when
the amount of water absorbed by the ethanol reaches a certain
saturation. *Worse with small engines because they sit longer and
their fuel systems are more exposed to the atmosphere. *I use premium
and add stabilizer all year. *I'm never sure when I'm going to stop
using gas equipment. *I run the bowl dry on my generator because it
sits longer than anything else.

Amazing "everybody" else seems to have such troubles and I somehow
don't...never had any sign of any "settling out" w/ E10 and all the
gas-powered gear (from the smallest 3 hp tiller to two riders to the
trucks (the old grain truck sits for months at a time, particularly over
winter) to the JLG 40H manlift (Wisconsin air-cooled V4) which also sits
for sizable periods.

Just never seems to be an issue w/ fuel/carburetor problems; the C60
truck is a '58 has been on the place since new; it's never had the carb
touched in those 53 years and other than replace the fuel filter on
(rare) occasion, it's never had any fuel system maintenance (oh, well,
yes, I did replace the tank sending unit a few years ago as it had
failed, but all that affected was the dash fuel gauge, of course).

I'm still puzzled by why there seems to be so much trouble elsewhere
it's the first thing everybody jumps on when there's any problem at
all...it really is beyond my ken/experience that fuel/carb is an issue.

The biggest problem I've had w/ small engine carbs is the eventual
wearing of the body around the throttle shaft so that excess air srews
up mixture or it gets difficult to keep the carb body mounted solid on
intake with time which leads to same symptoms/problem. *But not trouble
w/ jets gumming/floats sticking, etc., that seems to be what other gets
commented on most heavily.

Guess it'll just have to remain a mystery...

--

It might be that you are using your stuff more regularly than most.

On 7/6/2011 10:50 PM, wrote:
On Wed, 06 Jul 2011 20:19:14 -0500, wrote:

On 7/6/2011 8:14 PM, wrote: ...

Farm gas, by chance??? MOST is "ethanol free"

Nope, even Equity is E10; no local distributor has anything w/o at
least E10
So far in the USA it is either max E10 oe E85 by law. E15 cannot YET
be sold . EPA law.

As of last October, E15 waiver was granted by EPA for 2007 and newer
vehicles; not for prior to 2000 model years and those in between are
still in limbo. Release EPA420-F-10-054, October 2010

EPA promulgates regulations; underlying laws are enacted by the Congress...

The point was that all distributors locally have gone to ethanol blends
so there is no local supply of 100% gasoline any longer which was the
answer to your previous supposition.

My difficulty in the problems other folks keep raising that I've talked
about in the overall thread is that I've never seen such kinds of carb
problems in 50 years and a wide variety of vehicles nor was I aware that
dad or grandfather ever had such kinds of issues before I took over
maintenance duties myself and that covers a long period of time before
there was any ethanol at all in US gasoline and the period of
tetra-ethyl lead as well.

I still don't grok why there's this apparent dichotomy of experience and
find it most curious and puzzling.

--

On Jul 7, 9:41*am, dpb wrote:
On 7/6/2011 10:50 PM, wrote:

On Wed, 06 Jul 2011 20:19:14 -0500, *wrote:

On 7/6/2011 8:14 PM, wrote: ...

Farm gas, by chance??? MOST is "ethanol free"

Nope, even Equity is E10; no local distributor has anything w/o at
least E10
So far in the USA it is either max E10 oe E85 by law. E15 cannot YET
be sold . EPA law.

As of last October, E15 waiver was granted by EPA for 2007 and newer
vehicles; not for prior to 2000 model years and those in between are
still in limbo. *Release EPA420-F-10-054, October 2010

EPA promulgates regulations; underlying laws are enacted by the Congress....

The point was that all distributors locally have gone to ethanol blends
so there is no local supply of 100% gasoline any longer which was the
answer to your previous supposition.

My difficulty in the problems other folks keep raising that I've talked
about in the overall thread is that I've never seen such kinds of carb
problems in 50 years and a wide variety of vehicles nor was I aware that
dad or grandfather ever had such kinds of issues before I took over
maintenance duties myself and that covers a long period of time before
there was any ethanol at all in US gasoline and the period of
tetra-ethyl lead as well.

I still don't grok why there's this apparent dichotomy of experience and
find it most curious and puzzling.

--

Yea, we get it already. You haven't had these problems. Well, others
have. Equiment that has sat for a long time sometimes needs it's carb
cleaned. I got a perfectly good lightly used 5hp chipper for $50 that
way. Wouldn't start. Removed and cleaned the carb, put it back
together and it is fine.

On 7/7/2011 8:14 AM, jamesgangnc wrote:
....

It might be that you are using your stuff more regularly than most.

I don't know...possible, I suppose; that would depend on what
"regularly" means in the context.

Sometimes it's on order of month or longer; never mess about doing
anything on small stuff for over winter and the extreme was the
aforementioned tiller that was something like 10 years...

I'll go away now but I still stand confounded by the apparent issue as
finding it so unlike my experience and that just seems unusual...

--