Cranking

I've reached that stage in life--almost "8 decades," which makes it sound better than it really is--when I think I might have a few odds and ends of knowledge that could help younger fellers (we old timers always talked like that).
Not long ago, I saw a guy spinning a crank on an old tractor, on YouTube. I wrote a comment, suggesting it was a good way to come away with a broken arm if the engine kicked back (my father had his arm broken this way, and I decided early on never to spin, just in case the impulse didn't catch--had seen big tractor engines go backward, too, and boy is it impressive!). The guy was furious and posted a comment AND sent an e-mail to me, calling me a "know-it-all" and saying that I was calling him stupid.

Well, anyway, this isn't directed at anybody in particular, and I sure ain't calling anybody stupid (I wasn't then, either). But....if you crank, keep your face out of the way of the crank AND pull up. The impulse coupling provides plenty of spin for a hot spark.

Right on with the cranking advice, keep your thumb on the same side of the crank as your fingers too.
I've seen guys spin the crank too, and every time I see that I cringe. I've always just pulled up, and it starts.

Watching those always makes me cringe. Yeah it nearly always works fine.

Nearly. :lol:

I'd be more impressed to see one fire like it was supposed to.

I'd say he was upset for being called on it. :roll:

Hey for what its worth I hear and believe you and your wisdom and experience. I also keep my thumb on the same side as the fingers so if she kicks back my thumbs not so vulnerable and agree to pull up NOT push down....

John T

To be sure, some people of my generation would be in big trouble with out your experience. Keep reminding us some of us still listen. I have learned alot listening to other peoples lessons on sites like this.
Tim

Yep, broke my wrist a fewyears ago trying to do that with my 14 and it kicked back.

Im only in my mid 40's and I thinks the man upstairs everyay for my Grandparents and all as you say old timers. The experiences you have had and share with us is more than any book or show could ever teach us. Thank you to the older generation and keep on sharing your wisdom. I for one can't learn enough from you.

Len, thanks for sharing your advice. I, myself, have never tried to crank my tractor because of the possible repercussions.

i've heard a few people say that about hand crankin , i dont know if i got enough hair on my butt to even try it . pull up do not spin

I was at a auction several years ago and a young musular guy tried to start an old McCormick tractor. He reached down and just started to spin the engine over. I couldn't watch. Thankfully, the engine never did even fire. I have cranked my tractors many times and am very careful to only turn in one-half turn pulls. Roger

I hook the belt to my 1020 to get it started. Not that it wold not crank start, just overly cautious. Haven't broke anything in 60 years but why tempt fate?

There was a thread on Tractor Talk the other day about the value of manuals. The discussion also included the value of advice gained from experience that can't be found in the manuals, which is why this place is such a treasure.

This thread got me to thinkin' and reminded me that there are other sources of knowledge and info. They're a joy to read anyway, but they're also quite useful for folks getting into old tractors, and those are Roger Welsch's books, like "Busted Tractors and Rusty Knuckles", "Love, Secks and Tractors", "Old Tractors Never Die" and others. A lot of what comes up around here is all right there. What do I need for tools? Can you/how do you clean out the ring grooves in pistons? How can I sneak another tractor into the yard without the bride finding out?

This thread brought it to mind because in the back of my mind I seem to recall that Ol' Rog busted a wrist or a forearm crankin' over one of his beloved Allises. Not a good thing for a fellow who makes his living (and pays for his tractor hobby) with a typewriter. Once mended, he adopted a) the safe practices described here and b) a piece of 4" or 6" PVC to fit over his forearm when he cranks by hand -- a knight in his armor.

They're great books. They're as important a part of my library as my manuals. I'd recommend them to anybody who's interested.

I don't look at YouTube-I'm 7+ decades old, cranked tractors since I was 12-not counting 26 years when I didn't have a tractor. Never a single kickback. I consider it safe. The important thing is to keep them timed right -- don't know if I would crank someone elses, though.

My grandfather always used to tell me to only pull up. And his big thing was to NEVER wrap your thumb. I have had a few minor kickbacks. The worst was actually on an A. Nothing ever jammed me up and the engine certainly did not run backwards, but the possiblity of injury was definately there. Injury is possible in almost every aspect of these old tractors. I get "injured" every time my tractor's wet and I try to get on. I too cringe at some of the videos on youtube. Those are some accidents waiting to happen. Most "accidents" are the result of human error. I personally will hand crank my own, and have no hesitation cranking someone else's tractor. I definately will never get lax on the subject. It's like anything though. We've all seen the bright individual who slides under his car with only a bottle jack holding it up. To each his own...

Sometimes it is scary to watch on Classic Tractors. You can tell some know how and some don't.
mike

Sometimes it is scary to watch on Classic Tractors. You can tell some know how and some don't.
mike

There's the key - timing. That's what makes me nervous when folks start looking to tweak their performance by advancing their running timing, especially on a mag, but it holds true for the battery ignition, as well. It's that advanced spark at starting revolutions that will break your arm or crush your skull.

The point I get from safety is that you might have been lucky and not gotten hurt or killed. It is never worth that risk to be unsafe or to allow someone else to be that way. It is just an ego trip to look at it any other way.

Dad broke his hand when he spun the crank on a B. The crank hit the back of his hand when it kicked. Only time that it ever kicked back. From then on he kept his thumb and fingers on the same side and only pulled up on the crank.