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Hand Crank Danger

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Farmall Don

12-24-2003 09:16:07

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I was hand crank starting my M (the battery was low) and the thing damn nearly ripped off my thumb (hyperextened it). I know I have been warned a hundered times never to wrap your thumb around the crank, but I have always done it (countless times on my Farmall C) and never had the crank jump when the tractor started.
Someone told me last year that there is a safety device on my M where that would never happen. Well it did. Is there a device to keep this from happening? My M is too hard to crank without using both hands and wrapped thumbs.

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Crank

12-25-2003 13:02:26

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Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Farmall Don, 12-24-2003 09:16:07

Walk it off you sissy, or better yet, get rid of the tractor so we don't have to read about your poor little thumb.

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Ron

12-24-2003 21:20:22

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Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Farmall Don, 12-24-2003 09:16:07

I guess I have never seen a JD flywheel swing around and knock the brains out of the fella hand cranking it--besides, they have compression releases..!! Yes, I can agree with you on the older low compression tractors of moderate power.. BUT..a Gas "M", or my WD-45 with a power kit..?? Not Smart..!!! If one of These "Sneezes", you can count on a broken arm--or worse..!! And I'm one of those guys that will wrestle a non power-steering AC over plowed ground all day...so you know I'm not exactly afraid of an occasional "twist" on a wheel..!!! No thanks, I don't need to ask for that..!! Sure, I love to hand start a JD "GP", or an "L" Case...!! A friend of mine starts his WD-45 by spinning his over with the crank...he tried mine, and found that 1/4 turn at a time was all he could manage...!! I guess mine is a "Little" fresher..!! And, NOPE--the crank does not release when it "Kicks back"...and it may turn several times before it stops..!! I have "Propped" aircraft, and with them, you swing your leg, to throw your body out of the way of the prop... I take the same approach with a crank..!!

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Fred P

12-24-2003 19:42:10

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Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Farmall Don, 12-24-2003 09:16:07

Never rap your thumb around a crank or a stearing wheel. When you say "MY tractor never kicks back". Never is a long time and I say they all will someday. The same with the stearing wheel. "I have never had wheel spin out of my hand". You will some day and it will get your thumb. It is not safe to stand behind a horse, grind with out safety glasses or rap your thumb around a crank. If you can not learn to crank a tractor without rapping your thumb around the crank. You may as well start learning how to crank it with your other arm, as it will soon be your only arm.

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deano

12-24-2003 18:40:07

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Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Farmall Don, 12-24-2003 09:16:07

sorry, but i don't think you are going to teach youngin's a thing if you hand crank tractor unless you have to..too many things can happen out of your control. like gettin run over and killed for one.

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buickanddeere

12-24-2003 18:12:56

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Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Farmall Don, 12-24-2003 09:16:07

Do the 1/4 lift without using your thumb. If she kicks back, the handle out of your fingers, your hand is clear by the time the crank comes around trying to whack you.

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laipuller45

12-24-2003 15:46:21

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Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Farmall Don, 12-24-2003 09:16:07

Well in the modern age of doing things in more modern ways, handcranking is an "art form" if you will that is slowly dying off. Personally, i'll handcrank mine every now and then at shows just for showing all the "young un's" how things used to be. Personally I think that alot of us has gotten soft, "oooh it's too dangerous, or ooooh it's too much like work". Phooey on that a little brow sweat never hurt no one, and if you don't know much about hand cranking alot of the oldtimers would be happy to help tune your tractor and teach you proper "safe" techniques in hand cranking. Let's just remember one thing folks, we restore our tractors to preserve a piece of heritage and history and this is something that doesn't need to die as well. working steam engines and draft horses are dangerous as well, but if someone don't pass it on, IT WILL DIE..... sorry for my mad ramblings, but just my opinion.

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12-24-2003 15:12:09

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Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Farmall Don, 12-24-2003 09:16:07

if your tractor is running correctly, timed right, youll never have a problem hand cranking a tractor. just hold the crank correctly.

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Awaa crap....Joe (Wa)

12-24-2003 13:33:37

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Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Farmall Don, 12-24-2003 09:16:07

You guys sound like a bunch of yuppies what has them little girley tractors with them sissified electrick starters. Any body with a lick of sense knows a REAL tractor should be hand started. Yup, it�s ok to pull start it while your arm is in a cast, thumb broke, etc.

�Sides think ahead, how�re ya going to entertain the grandkiddies iff�n you can�t pop your shoulder blade out of joint jes by moving your head real quick?

Frankly, I think some of you guys getting kicked around need to check your timing and retard it some.

Sorry about the spelling & grammar, my brain cell is off for the holidays.

Joe

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T-Bone

12-24-2003 14:46:37

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Re: Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Awaa crap....Joe (Wa), 12-24-2003 13:33:37

Are you sure the hand crank didn't fly off and hit you in the head one to many times? That tends to work on brain cells!

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Joe (Wa)

12-24-2003 16:16:44

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Re: Re: Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to T-Bone, 12-24-2003 14:46:37

Doggonit T-Bone,

You just have to pay more attention when you read something. My post has the words "retard", "brain", and "cell" (singular).

So much for reading comprehension but the thrust is check the timing.

Joe

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T-Bone

12-24-2003 17:46:33

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Joe (Wa), 12-24-2003 16:16:44

Just had to give you a little grief! My wrist still hurts from cranking a John Deere LUC engine on my 12A combine this Summer!

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T_Bone

12-25-2003 20:05:27

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to T-Bone, 12-24-2003 17:46:33

Hey T-Bone,

How about using your state letters after your handle so people don't get us confused!

T_Bone

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Rusty Jones

12-26-2003 11:41:42

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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to T_Bone, 12-25-2003 20:05:27

Aww, all you young fellers probably never had the fun of cranking an old Model T Ford, did ya? Those cars would set ya up over the hood real quick, in case ya forgot to push the spark lever all the way up. Some "beefy" guys could spin the crank to get it going, but us tall skinny 100lb. weaklings had to do the lift style on it. And they could kick back, too, and break yer thumb right quick, or make yer arm and hand smart (both ways)! Best thing is part with some "Gold" and buy a new battery, or make friends with a "Beefy" guy, who can crank it fer ya! RJ
P.S, In cold weather, we had to jack up one hind wheel to crank it, then let 'er run fer a spell, and set 'er back down. BUT! ya had to make sure ya had a concrete block in front of one wheel--didn't want her driving off before ya could jump in!

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tlak

12-24-2003 12:07:36

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Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Farmall Don, 12-24-2003 09:16:07

I have a hand crank engine. The hand crank notches has a flat on one side with a 45 degree notch for the pin top slide out once it startes. Seems like this would let it slide out on a backfire

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TimV

12-25-2003 07:24:01

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Re: Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to tlak, 12-24-2003 12:07:36

Tlak: Actually, if you go through this in your head, you'll see that the notch will only disengage if the the tractor's pulley is going the same way as the crank. In other words, if it backfires, it will not slip out of the crank, but will push back against the crank, potentially breaking your thumb, wrist, or arm. Even a small tractor can be painful, and on a tractor the size of a Farmall M it can be deadly.

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hay

12-24-2003 11:25:34

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Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Farmall Don, 12-24-2003 09:16:07

back in the late 1970's, i had a farmall B that had electric/hand crank start. i tried the hand crank a couple times , but soon determined it was too dangerous with possible engine kickback. used the starter from then on. much easier and lots more safer. oh, and make sure the tractor is in neutral whenever starting by any means. all it takes is once for a tragic accident to happen.

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John Ne.

12-24-2003 10:22:17

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Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Farmall Don, 12-24-2003 09:16:07

the safety device* is to release the crank when the engine starts, won't do anything for your welfare if the engine backfires. On my M's, which I hand started many times, without injury, would pull up slowly, and at the top would put my weight against the crank, to help push it down, usually would fire right up, this is also contrary to most safety tips. Started tractors, and modelA cars and trucks, never ever got hurt.

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49 Cubber!

12-24-2003 10:15:49

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Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Farmall Don, 12-24-2003 09:16:07

Let me guess,magneto right?I have handcranked my M many times with no problems,its got a distributor.But my old wore out H has a mag and its jumped on my a couple of times.My H BTW is a 39 and has no starter or battery or chrging system,so it has to be hand started.

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Charlie

12-24-2003 14:01:21

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Re: Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to 49 Cubber! , 12-24-2003 10:15:49

I hand crank my M once in a while and I have a distributor - never seen it kick. I've heard its only a problem with magnetos - anybody know if thats true?

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bob

12-24-2003 10:15:24

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Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Farmall Don, 12-24-2003 09:16:07

You got lucky. A broken arm is the usual result.

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Phil

12-24-2003 09:24:17

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Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Farmall Don, 12-24-2003 09:16:07

Don't know if there is any device out there to prevent that on the tractor.. However, I know what will prevent it next time.. Use a portable jump start pack or bring the pick-up over and hook it up and start it that way. Failing that.. get out the battery charger.

It is not worth getting hurt over hand cranking some of these tractors. I wouldn't even try to crank over my MM UTU. It's got too much compression.

Be Careful and have a great Christmas!

Phil

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Ron

12-24-2003 09:20:08

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Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Farmall Don, 12-24-2003 09:16:07

Don't hand crank it...!!!

Unless you want to chance a broken arm--or Worse...!!! Jump start it..!! That crank is a dangerous weapon..!!! Forget you even have it...!!

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MGT-PA.

12-24-2003 13:53:18

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Re: Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Ron, 12-24-2003 09:20:08

Been hand cranking Case engines since I was a kid. Nothing starts an engine like a good magneto and a crank. It can be -10 degrees below
zero for days on end and colder at night. All the other battery start tractors are cold dead.
But when it's feeding time, you can always count on those old Case tractors to start. Just a quarter-turn up on the crank and that engine just comes to life. Merry Christmas to all you
crankers who love crank engines. Life is good!

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Nebraska Cowman

12-24-2003 19:24:25

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Re: Re: Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to MGT-PA., 12-24-2003 13:53:18

yup, I started my Allis WD for nearly a week cuz the bendix spring was broke. And any of my F20s will fire off on the quarter turn.

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Rick

12-24-2003 12:40:36

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Re: Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Ron, 12-24-2003 09:20:08

The only real danger is the people that don`t know how to time there tractor correctly, it`s not the hand crank.

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JD Kid

12-24-2003 12:27:23

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Re: Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Ron, 12-24-2003 09:20:08

Hey ron how do you do that when there is no electric start on a case cc. i have hand cranked it for a wile and i never rap my thumbs cause its a grumpy old gal. alls i know is that ever crank isnt as bad as everyone thinks. its just like the old deeres and there flywheel system that they have.the flywheel system is just as harmfull but the also dont have electric starts on the unstyled JD's

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Farmaller

12-24-2003 11:25:44

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Re: Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Ron, 12-24-2003 09:20:08

I always pull up only on F-20 usually starts first turn. But I have also hurt thumb once.

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Farmaller

12-24-2003 11:24:58

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Re: Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Ron, 12-24-2003 09:20:08

I always pull up only on F-20 usually starts first turn. But I have also hurt thumb once.

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steveormary

12-25-2003 20:29:51

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Re: Re: Re: Hand Crank Danger in reply to Farmaller, 12-24-2003 11:24:58

Ya,always pull up on the crank. Never push it down.

steve

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