hand cranking

Does anyone have any tips, tricks or suggestions for hand starting? Im getting close to trying to start my 36-L. Ive never had to hand crank an engine before, Ive seen videos but not really any explanation as to what they are doing and how they are doing it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
 
A couple of quick things, coming from cranking old cars (hobby I'm not THAT old). Slowly come up to the compression stroke and then swing into into it. It'll keep it from kicking back. ALWAYS grip the crank with your hand, thumb too, around the handle. Do not wrsp your thumb opposite your fingers (a natural grip), someone else, hopefully, can do a better job of explaining the grip. That's really important to keep any kind of a kick back from spraining or busting your thumb. Tractors don't have (I've never seen one) a manual spark advance like early cars. Only once will you ever hand crank an engine with the spark advanced..............
 
Pull the engine around til it's on compression with the crank on the bottom, then pull it towards you one stroke at a time. Never try to spin it, which is not likely on a larger case anyway unless your superman. Never push the crank either, that's how you get hurt if it kicks back. I started our dc regularly that way and if things are good a pull or 2 will have it running. Don't be afraid to choke it as it's hard to flood a case, at least all the ones I've run.
 
The old base mount Case mags had a spark advance and you retarded the spark some to crank them. Same lever would shut them down.
If you don't retard the spark on my Model T, it will let you know harshly.
Richard in NW SC
 
Do only pull up on crank as others said. No trying to spin it! I also situate my self so in event crank might spin or kick back it wont hit your leg.I also put some oil or grease on end an bushing crank goes through on pedestal so it cranks smoothly an will smoothly release when it starts.
 
Make sure it is in gear! That way it will start with the first pull!;)

When I was in high school we had an old VAC whose battery had dies, so we started it with a hand crank. We were building a pig shed way down in the woods away from the house and my dad sent my brother back to the house to get something. He was going to take the VAC so he went to start it but forgot to take it out of gear first. Well, it started the first pull and took off down through the woods. My brother got out of the way, then went after it. Right as he climbed up in the seat to stop the tractor, the tractor hit a small tree, and shaking the tree knocked a copperhead snake down from a limb onto his lap. He went one way and the snake went the other and too this day I am not sure which one was the most frightened. So leave the tractor in gear, it will start on the first pull!

BTW, never wrap your thumb around the crank, always pull up with your hand cupped.
 
If you have never had the tractor running before I would belt it up to another tractor first just to make sure its going to run. That way you can make any carburetor adjustments etc. On our L I make sure the gas is turned on then I pull the choke and crank it till it pops, usually 3-4 cranks. After that it usually starts on the next crank or two. On the L's the crank is spring loaded so you have to push the crank in while you crank it over.
 
Ls and LAs are probably the easiest to crank, if they are tuned up properly. All you really have to do is roll it over compression. The stroke is long enough that it will suck atomized gas in, then the impulse will trip after you go past TDC. If all goes well, the tractor is running. I tend to crank them with my left hand, standing off to the side. A quarter turn to just roll it over compression. It really doesn't have to be fast or hard. I have seen a lot of guys spin the crank on a Fordon, AC, or Farmall. Anybody that can spin a L is either a real man, or is just about to get hurt really badly.
 
Kevin,

I am sure I will contradict others with my technique, but it is in line with the owners manual and it works for me. I went out to the shop quick and made a video in order to show you how I do it rather than try to explain it. Before you even attempt to try to hand start it, make darn sure that the timing is set. When you think you got it, check it again! Your arms don't have the mechanical advantage as belt or pull starting does. When everything is correct, it should start relatively easy. I hope it helps.
Crank Starting a 1937 Case CC
 
Yea I think you need to adjust your setting on youtube. You have it set to private. I would like to see it though. Thanks
 
I crank my L and almost all my others from the opposite side pushing the crank downward with my foot.

Some call me crazy, but that's what a feller taught me long ago and it works well for me.
 

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