Lesson learned

Pastor at Church asked if I would bring a couple of tractors for display and do a hayride for kick off party for Vacation Bible School this past Saturday, sure happy too.  Hauled 39B up, unloaded went back and brought 52 CA, unhooked trailer from truck and hooked to CA.  It began to sprinkle rain so backed CA and trailer under carport shed where Church bus is normally parked,  thought I'll put B under shed too.  Grabbed hand crank gave it a pull one click, went back gave another pull didn't start, went back one more pull, didn't start, turned off gas under tank, gave crank a mighty twist, KICK BACK, jammed, jerked, slammed TREMENDOUS pain in wrist.  Went over and sat on  trailer tongue, can't set here the old black curtain was creeping in around the edge of vision.   Managed to get on trailer sat on straw bales put head down, finally focused enough to decide wrist not broken, fingers will move, can move wrist with immense pain.  Finally got in truck and drove across street to Church and got something drink and some pity from my wife.  Had Grandson come and drive for hayride.. Lesson learned NEVER, NEVER EVER grip a hand crank when cranking a 39 b...

YOU LUCKED OUT ! MY 39 B BROKE MY RIGHT WRIST IN THREE PLACES , TEN DAYS IN THE HOSPL. THEN TEN WEEKS IN A CAST, READ THE OWNERS BOOK, IT SAID STAND ON THE LEFT SI DE OF TRACTOR USE LEFT HAND TO PULL CRANK 1/4 TURNS. YES IT WORKS

My grandfather broke his arm starting is WC once. I must admit, I've been to scared to ever try hand starting my WD45. Hope you get healed up soon.

Allis dave wrote: My grandfather broke his arm starting is WC once. I must admit, I've been to scared to ever try hand starting my WD45. Hope you get healed up soon.

I wouldn't recommend hand cranking a tractor with a distributor.  I tried my RC once when it had a distributor conversion on it and it kicked back.  With a magneto, it seems like the impulse retards the timing more than does the distributor to make hand cranking a little more user friendly.  I've never had a problem hand cranking a magneto equipped tractor while using the correct starting procedure.

well, I have never, and will never be injured hand cranking! That's because I am too chicken to even try! If I can't pull start it......it don't need started. I have hand propped a few airplanes.......can't pull start them, but I'm still not real fond of the maneuver!

pumpkinman wrote: YOU LUCKED OUT ! MY 39 B BROKE MY RIGHT WRIST IN THREE PLACES , TEN DAYS IN THE HOSPL. THEN TEN WEEKS IN A CAST, READ THE OWNERS BOOK, IT SAID STAND ON THE LEFT SI DE OF TRACTOR USE LEFT HAND TO PULL CRANK 1/4 TURNS. YES IT WORKS                         KENT

Sorry to hear Tim,so I guess you cranking the A next year at Gray is out of the question? Had a tompson UC attact me one time, still not finished that one. Scott

While starting a WC, I took a hit to my upper lip.  Loosened my front teeth real good.  It wasn't kickback.  The hand cranker slipped off and went right for my face!  I had a really nice fat lip and loose teeth, but haven't lost them--yet. 

Ahh  yes, the lovely sound of a Starter motor. That's why all my Tractors have Starters. First, I don't have enough ass to crank them over. Second, I'm also Chicken like Luigi even if I could turn em' over . And third, I don't need to do what you did.  I've seen guys in casts for quite some time because of a kick back from the ole' crank. I tore a muscle in my shoulder this time last year, and I'm just finishing up with PT. That was a loooong recovery, and it doesn't get any better as you age. I have a couple B torque tubes with starter holes if interested....  LOL!  Hope the ole' hand mends up quick for ya.
Steve@B&B

SteveM C/IL wrote: I'm not following where left is.Facing tractor,stay left?My left arm ain't long enough to reach the crank!?!? Is the 1/4 turns from the top down?Side up? Bottom up?

Yes Steve, you are facing the tractor front.  I was taught that you stand to the right of center, put the crank in the hole and try to get about 10 o'clock.  Now, with the left hand (and the hand is open with the thumb tucked along the side of your hand, NOT tucked over the top to form a fist) pull upward slowly building the compression cycle.  When you get enough pressure back against you, just give it a healthy pull towards you, to 12 o'clock or so.  REMEMBER, AN OPEN HAND!!  If your hand is open and it backfires, it will let the crank just slip out and away from you, thus not breaking your arm.
I'd bet there would be some videos on Youtube..........[TUBE]N43_dWx8Yrs[/TUBE]

You got it buddy!!  Hope it helped.  I've see lots of ways and most of em are wrong.  This is the easiest and the safest.  I've had lots of backfires (flooded usually) and I've still got all my fingers and no broken bones........at least from that. 

Check for good spark, and correct timing...correct timing is essential!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh yeah, drain old gas and replace with ethanol free gas,  from experience I know that old gas does not start well.