You need to check for spark, not just assume you do or don't have it.

Of course, we could start "assuming" and spend weeks dealing with the issue.

Good morning Bill and thanks for the advice.

I just checked and have a good spark.

It sounds as though old fuel in the carb bowl, or partially clogged emulsion tube in the stem of the carb. Valves can easily stick on these when they sit. If you spray a burst of carb spray into the throat of the carb- will it try to run when cranked?

I'm not the original poster but have a log splitter with the same issue and same engine. I'm getting spark and I've drained the fuel tank and put in new fuel. If I spray some starter fluid in to the throat of the carb, the engine runs for just a second.

Bowl of the carb is full of fresh fuel. Removed the carb and tried to clean it with carb cleaner- removed the float and needle valve and spayed and can see fuel going through the needle valve hole to the fuel supply line.

Put all back together and still won't start.

If the engine will run for a few seconds using carb cleaner sprayed into the throat of the carburetor, you have proven that the ignition and valves are working OK, and that the fuel system is the source of the problem. There has to be a clog or restriction in the fuel circuit somewhere, despite what has been done to clean the carburetor.