crank it wrong, break your arm

[sgtbull]

Okay, I like my electric start on my "H", but I also have a fondness for being able to make 'er run by hand cranking it. Dad always told me that the only safe way to crank a tractor with the least likelihood of busting your arm, was to put the crank at 6 o'clock, with all your fingers and thumb on the same side, and pull it up ONLY. He said "never spin it, and never try to push it down.. and ALWAYS have your thumb on the same side as your fingers." It makes sense to me. Other than retarding the spark on models with a manual advance, are there any other things that can make it safer? My youngest son loves to see me crank start it, but I'd hate to show him how to scream like a girl after i put another elbow in my arm....

 

[georgeky]

Make sure she is in proper time. I have cranked my old C and SC for many times off and on over the years and never had any problems. Starts on the first pull most of the time. That is how I was taught to do it by my dad as well.

 

[old]

Just a word of warning. Even doing what you said your dad told you which is true/good, even doing that it can and will kick back on you and it can and will hurt you. BTDT and did it all the right way but a little Allis B we had years ago sent me to the hospital one day when it didn't want to come out and play, so we both good the day off. Thats also the one thing I can 100% sure of is that the way you start a hand crank J.D will never do what a hand crank on mosts others will because you can't hold on to the fly wheel good enough that it will get you
Hobby farm

 

[Anonymous-0]

I try to time them not to kick. Spending as much time on timing (heh) as some do on painting and detail sure makes cranking safe. We have a lot of crank start tractors, and i'm not afraid to be on the crank end of any of them. Over the years, though, i sure have had a lot of guys caution me when cranking; "watchout/or; don't get your arm broke." Cranking with your thumb on the same side as your fingers is a smart move, every time. Timing them right is a must.

 

[NDS]

You can time them perfect and a little moisture can cause them to cross fire and kick.

 

[Anonymous-0]

That is true. I haven't had much trouble with moisture on the f-4 and e4a mags, seems like. We try to cover them up when we can.

 

[John M]

Keep all the moving parts for the cranking mechanism well lubed.......2 fingers,2 places on my lower arm, and a badly sprained wrist!All becuase I got in a hurry!

 

[agpilot]

Hello Sgtbull... I'll add my 2 cents by saying that old cracked plugwires can cross fire just about like the mentioned damp dist-cap can... and that one cross fire will likely get you. So...Keep ignition parts in very good condition. I also like hand cranking my '48 C now since it reminds me of hand cranking 50 plus years ago. agpilot

 

[Red Mist]

Hand cranking, in your case, is an unnecessary risk, since your H has electric start. But, a lot of guys - myself included - take unnecessary risks (in one form or another) from time to time. It is a common trait in the nature of the male animal.
Most often used last words of a Red-neck: "Hey, y'all; watch this!"
Be careful.
mike

 

[georgeky]

Some friends from around the neighborhood and I raised a 2 acre garden last year. The genny quit working on my SC and I would crank it in front of these guys when we were disking and planting and even when cultivating. They had never seen this done in person and thought it was the neatest thing to watch. The old SC fired on the first pull every time. We even got to taking bets on it. I have cranked them for nearly 40 years and never had one kick back yet. I have heard of neighbors being kicked pretty good with some.

 

[Dairy Farmer in WI]

another thing is to keep good plugs and wires on it. and also keep it tuned up and it will start 50% easier. i never crank start a tractor but there again i have very few to crank too
my 2 cents
DF in WI

 

[banjo]

All i can say is it hurts when it kicks back and breaks your arm. Now if it dont electric start, i aint cranking on it. Once is enuff for me.

I just didnt have the strength as a teenager to pull the crank up. So i had to put my weight on it to push it down. Yep it lifted me off my feet and broke my arm.

 

[Anonymous-0]

Friend of mine broke her wrist years ago cranking her 200.It was ugly.Used to crank Dad's super A when I was a lot younger than I am now.Didn't break anything but a crank leaves one heck of a bruise on your chest when it hits you.Nowadays if they don't start,out comes the charger.

 

[teddy52food]

The people that time them by ear will get the timing to far advanced to safely hand crank it. Need I say more?

 

[ET]

This summer I was cranking my F20, starting at the 6 o'clock position all fingers and thumb on the same side of the crank and bingo she started by the time I got to 9 o'clock. The crank came whipin off the stub so fast I couldn't let go. I came around with a full round-house crank in hand and hit myself in the left side of my scalp. A trip to the ER and 6 staples later I was ready to go to the parade.

 

[J. Fred Muggs]

We had a New Holland #80 Wire-tie baler with a 30 HP Wisconsin V-4, and it was crank start only. Still have a scar on my right middle finger where the pickup took off the hide when the motor kicked back. You had to pull the crank toward you as the engine was at chest height.

 

[L.C.Gray]

Well I don't have anything but my working tractors that have a starter.

I know I'll get bashed... but I was taught to start 'em by foot. Just turn the crank 180 degrees stand on the other side and kick it. Unfortunately most row crops are just too tall to do it. My one row crop I have, I feel more comfortable standing on left side and pulling the crank over the top. Force of habit I guess. Works for me though.