Gas is full and clear. Tank was emptied and re-filled. Has good spark... very nice to have in hand as pull cord was pulled. Has not been run over ANYTHING to cause un balance in blade. Has good compression. Air filter is clean and new this year.

Primer bulb full?

Most problems in gas powered equipment over a year old... is due to being stored with fuel in them. Today's fuel is pure crap, beginning to break down in less than a month and getting bad enough at 6 months to cause problems.

Probably varnish buildup on all the parts fuel comes in contact with leaning out the mixture so much it will become difficult to start and eventually not want to run at all.

The only two cleaners that I've ever found do what they claim, is Seafoam, and the best... but most expensive BG-44k. Put a can of Seafoam in a 5 gallon can of gas and it will clean out all the crud, The BG-44K is significantly more expensive and I tend to reserve that for my cars once a year.

The other products that cost a fraction of what Seafoam costs are practically worthless and a waste of money as they are so ineffective.

All the lawn equipment I have had the last 20 years from lawn tractors to chipper shredders and lawnmowers were thrown out by the previous owners for that reason and I had running well in 15 minutes or less after getting them home if they were not seized and had compression when I got them..

Hi,
Always helpful to provide some model info, on amchine or engine or both. Generally I agree with what has been said already. Just a guess, but float bowl contains bad fuel or float stuck, if so equipped. If it has no float but a primer blub, you should feel resistance (or see a stream of fuel injected into the carb with air filter off) in 3 to 6 presses. That would be a diaphrgm carb and may need the diaphragm.
Peace,
Clarke