in the early days with that old equipment

[navi tasan]

1) In the early days with that old equipment our job was really hard.
2) In the earlier days with that old equipment our job was really hard.

3) In the early days, with that old equipment, our job was really hard.
4) In the earlier days, with that old equipment, our job was really hard.

Do the commas change anything?

I think they do. It seems to me that in #1 and #2 there were the early/earlier days with that old equipment and then the early/earlier days when we didn't have that old equipment.

In #3 and #4 it is clear that in the early/earlier days we had that old equipment and that in later days we got newer equipment.

I want to see if the commas change the meaning of the sentences.

Am I correct?

 

[Tarheel]

I would think that what was meant was the job was hard because the equipment was old.

 

[jutfrank]

Yes, you're right. The commas do unrestrict the meaning.