Started her with the crank!

[Slappy]

This is perhaps a silly thing to get excited about, but I started my (distributor) Cub using the crank (before anyone asks, I was careful to be sure it was out of gear and kept my thumb over the top).

The first time I went to see Kirk (we met through this forum) he fired his Cub (mag set-up) up using the crank, and I thought it was one of the neatest things I'd ever seen. In fact, you might say I had a bad case of "crank envy".

I had read on other forums that it was difficult if not impossible to crank start a tractor with a distributor set-up, but someone here posted a note that started me thinking differently. Sure enough, one and a half cranks and off she goes. Sorry to go on about something so trivial - perhaps I have too much time on my hands and should think about buying another Cub.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

We used to start our Farmall H tractors with distributors using a crank on occasion and I have started a neighbors M with a crank. Cranking an M requires someone with pull.

[Slappy]

Well nuts... now I'm going to have to try it with my H too.

[Jack Donovan]

Your right Slappy" There is somting about starting your Cub with the crank that sets it apart from the rest.I have been with my Cub for over 50 years now, and only herd it start with the starter the first year till the battery went dead. I always thought my dad was just "cheep" but he always said, that if every thing is working properly, it will start with ease, and if not" It's time to check it out and do some needed maintence. I still don't have a Batt. and it feels so good to give it a couple turns and here the sweet music of a Cub running. "Jack"

['Country' Elliott]

I used to crank over my Farmall M...EVEN IN THE COLD! It was like one of the NICEST sounds I ever heard (BUT...it always took at least 3 tries in COLD weather) ...THAT'S WHEN YOU GET YOUR JENNY CRAIG WORKOUT!!!

[Little Indy]

When I start a tractor by cranking I not only put the crank at the bottom and pull up, I not only make sure my face is not in the way, I not only hold the crank so that my my thumb is next to my index finger I also wear a plastic sleave over my forearm made from PVC pipe from Home Depot.

I don't want to file any notches in the front axle support. One notch for every broken limb .

Richard for Little Indy.

[Steve Butram]

You guys are a bunch of softies. My father in law dosn't believe in batteries on the Ms or the H. He has 2 Ms 2 super Ms and 1 Super MTA they are used on a daily basis to grind feed and move the hay around the farm we crank them all by hand. 1 crank and most of them will start. Steve

[Cubnut]

I don't have a hand crank. If I did I'd be tempted to use it, so I'd send it to Steve.

I love my battery as long as it has volts in it...if not, I'll love my new battery.

[Russ Leggitt]

Hi,

When I was growing up my tractor was the old "H" which had the new
sleeves with the bigger pistons in it. I was told to watch out for the battery
box which would come loose and let the battery fall out. Well, one day
my buddie and I were racing around the field, him on his case and me on
the old H. I made a sharp turn [you know the kind where the left wheel
almost leaves the ground] and sure enough the battery fell underneath
the rear wheel. From then on I had to crank by hand. Now let me tell you
that it is a task for a 12 year old who weighs in at 95 lbs, sack and all
to hand crank and H. But the old tractor was always in top running order
and most times you could position the crank on the up comperssion stroke
and give it a quick yank and she would fire right up.

My thumb, 50 years later still has the knot on it from the first time I
failed to position it correctly. And if you think that a CUB [becasue it is
so small can't hurt you, think again!!!!

['Country' Elliott]

Hey Russ...You're as RIGHT AS RAIN Buddy!!! (I'm sure as a kid, it never crossed your mind that you could have been killed if that old H flipped over on one of those racin' hairpin turns) .

Anyone who's gonna attempt to crank ANY tractor better learn right from the start to ALWAYS PULL THE CRANK UP ON THE COMPRESSION STROKE...and NEVER EVER WRAP YOUR THUMB OVER THE CRANK HANDLE .

BE SAFE...DON'T SHORTCUT SAFETY AND TAKE CHANCES...

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

I prefer not to admit to some of the stunts I pulled driving our H when I was growing up!

[ducati750]

Cranking a cub by hand sounds like something that must be experienced. I looked at TM Tractor parts but could not find a crank. Does anyone know where to find one?

[Bigdog]

J.P. Tractor Salvage, O.E.M. Tractor parts, e-bay.