Shaking Hands with the Gearshift

[Bill Hudson]

Folks,

Dodged a bullet this morning when I failed to shake hands with the gearshift. Not as serious a problem if you're sitting on the seat, I wasn't. Standing in front of the operator platform with my mind many steps ahead planning the project I was undertaking, I failed to concentrate on the immediate job at hand. Pulling the starter rod with Cub immediately starting backwards (very fortunate for me) has a way of instantaneously sharpening your focus. Fortunately, no damage done to anyone or anything.

Bottom line, DON'T FORGET TO SHAKE HANDS WITH THE GEARSHIFT WHEN STARTING YOUR CUB(S).

Bill

[Slim140]

Glad you are okay Bill and didn't get injured.

I was over at a friends house one day when his dad wanted to show me his newly acquired 140, he said listen to how good it runs and cranked it. It fired right off, in gear and luckily I was within reach of the switch and cut it off before it hurt either of us.

Another friend cranked a tractor and pinned him for several hours, luckily a mutual friend happened to stop by and find him. He took a ride in a helicopter but made a full recovery.

[Ken (48 Cub)]

I too made this mistake once with my lovely wife standing right in front. I didn't know she could move that fast Be safe out there!

[Barnyard]

Ken, I found out how fast Rosie can move by doing the same thing with Harley, only she was sitting in front on a stool at the time. Harley drug me a few feet before I got him shut down. We all escaped injury including the stool.

[MiCarl]

I have a foolproof process:
1) make sure it's in neutral.
2) make sure ignition is off.
3) pull the starter rod to make sure it doesn't move.
4) turn on fuel and choke.
5) pull starter rod repeatedly
6) stand around cussing and wondering why it won't run.
7) turn the ignition on.
crank start because battery is dead from step 6.

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

Having Zenith carbs rather than IH carbs help with this too. They always have to turn over 2 or 3 times before they start. Good thing about them is they are physically more durable than the IH. No problems with fuel line stripping out or with body warping. No warping unless they are full fo water and freeze that is.

[staninlowerAL]

Glad you're OK Mr. Bill. Unfortunately, I think that most of us have done this.

[EarlyCub49]

Been there done that too.

Bruce T.

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

What really gets your attention is when you do that with an H in close quarters. It is amazing how fast you can get your hand on the switch when it is trying to knock you down. Thank goodness the wheels were spread out all the way and there was lots of room between the wheel and the tractor body.

[coppersmythe]

i have a brushburn on my left thigh that reminds me of that fateful night coppersmythe ...............................

[Don B.]

Ok. I am sorry. I agree that this is a serious topic, but I just can't resist...

I found out how fast Rosie can move by doing the same thing with Harley, only she was sitting in front on a stool at the time. Harley drug me a few feet before I got him shut down. We all escaped injury including the stool.

That's a good way to get a stool sample, Bill!

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

Ok. I am sorry. I agree that this is a serious topic, but I just can't resist...

I found out how fast Rosie can move by doing the same thing with Harley, only she was sitting in front on a stool at the time. Harley drug me a few feet before I got him shut down. We all escaped injury including the stool.

That's a good way to get a stool sample, Bill!

BOO HISS!!!

[coppersmythe]

i'm with john , ouch . was the stools escape short lived after being whacked over barnyards head coppersmythe............