2N very hard to start

Finally had enough snow to plow today of close to 12" in 4 hours. Decided since I wasn't able to get to work would clear driveway using the ole' girl, my 43 2N 6V front mount. I keep a battery maintainer on at all down times. 2 1/2 hours later got her started.
At first couldn't even get a cough. Could hear battery was getting down so put the charger on it for 10 minutes or so, give a number of rotations to no avail, did get a 'cough' at least. Spray some either into air filter, hit key, nope no start. Change plugs even tho they were dry. Nope, nothing but a few coughs.
By now stopped snowing and needed something at store so left charger on and left for the 40 minutes took to go 6 miles and back.
Hit ignition, turn over a few revs pull choke, a few coughs at least. Stand on choke, get a few coughs but no start ~GRRRRR~ Check plugs, woohoo finally wet. Get small hot wrench out, burn 3 of the plugs clean and AGAIN climb up turn on, hit starter, pull choke a few revs then half in. A whole bunch of coughs like she tried to start. Pull air filter tube at carb, 2 second shot of ether, try again. FIRED at last!! OK, so she ran for all of 3 seconds, kinda. I am NOT giving up yet even tho it's now dark. A few more attempts and she 'finally' started and ran. 15 minutes of running just above idle, time to try FEL hydraulics, slowwww. But at least they worked YEAAA!!!

As I have the jungle gym FEL I have to climb up and down over rearend to do anything.

Time to move snow that I can't even see do to how dark it is. Grab a flashlight, wire tie it to loader but not much help, go figure LOL. Did the best I could but really need to put chains and weight on that should have put on a month ago when it was 'warm'er.

Reading post below about corrosion got me to thinking about it being at least 3-4 months since last start.

howdy1960,Next time pull the air cleaner loose at the carb an give it a shot of ether first thing.

Glad you finally got it started. It can be quite frustrating when you need to get work done.

Check your regular maintenance areas re: Bruce's Tips, etc. Check your spark, especially, should this happen again.

Do you treat your fuel with a fuel stabilizer? If it sits for 3-4 months, you could have had some ice from from water in the ethanol gasoline.

Also, air restriction from a dirty oil cup can cause problems. Make sure the cup is clean with fresh oil, and free of ice. The same goes for the lower wire-mesh element in the breather directly above the cup. I've found that it can help to remove the oil cup in extremely cold weather (sub-zero).

Colin, MN

That sounds like one of my normal days! LOL
Glad you finally got it going.

I actually had good luck with my NAA today.
Hadn't started it in a couple of months. 9f today.
It fired right up, but then died.
I had to start it a total of three times for it to run unattended.

Then I let it set and run for 10 or so minutes before trying to
move it. Loader might have been a little slower than normal,
power steering was definitely slower than normal, but all was
fine once it warmed up a bit. Terrific old machines!

Someplace prior to putting charger on it I did check spark with a spare plug just to see if had any at all and it did.
However I really need to get an adjustable unit that can clamp to headbolt to check to see if will jump the 1/4" gap.
Local NAPA shows one in stock at $15 Time to let the moths out I guess lol
I'm gonna guess that's a weak spot and needs attention.

Instead of 2nd to last????

It would be nice if I got carb redone by someone with the right stuff.
I do know how but no longer have equipment to do so.
I used to do Holley's and rottencesters and there's a whole lot less to these