once the gear is in this 'storage mode' is it fine to leave as is - or should you be popping fuel in and running say annually etc and then putting back into 'storage mode'?
It would depend on the type of equipment in storage as some Generators they recommend running every 60 days to prevent the loss of residual magnetism that produces the electricity.
Normally if I have an engine in storage with oil in the cylinder ,I would turn the motor over every 3 to 6 months and add more oil
on top of the piston as after time the oil leaks past the rings and the cylinder can dry out .
I've had car engines rust the valve seats in a few years when I haven't put oil in the motor and the motor wont start without
replacing the head.
Some car engines here I put oil in the plug holes and turned them over and then left for 20 years and they have started without
a problem.
So if I have an engine in storage I mostly just make sure I turn the motor over and after a few months add a little oil on top
of the piston, I only start the motor when it's needed .
Some people recommend running a small engine once a year but I haven't had a problem as long as you take precautions so the motor doesn't rust internally and the tank and carby don't rust.
https://petroleumservicecompany.com/blog/what-is-the-best-way-to-store-an-engine/https://petroleumservicecompany.com/blog/how-to-store-gasoline-and-equipment-that-runs-on-gasoline/Cheers
Max.
