having worked for a while with a hand start tractor that kicked back a lot - I can tell you that the open grip IS important, but the proper body positioning and partial crank angle is MUCH more important.
Don't EVER crank all the way around. Put it around 7:00 - 9:00 - lift up to 11:00 - ish.
Then PULL THE CRANK OUT - and put back to 7/9 for each additional crank until it starts.
(some people make the mistake of thinking that if they just turn it slow it won't fire!)
I believe the open-hand/thumb-off concept is to cover people who decide to crank all the way around.
Drives me crazy to see people doing full cranks.
If you're in the wrong position - over 12:00 and it decides to kick there - it's very likely going to break your arm. If your thumb is in the way - it's going to be folded right back out of the way by the crank.
When they bite back at you - you gain a whole new appreciation for how much power is in even a small 15 horse motor. I don't care how big you are, you aint stopping it.
It's so hard and fast that it rattles your teeth, and that's when doing it properly.
Time it properly - crank it properly, then you'll be fine.
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Today's Featured Article - Restoration Story: Fordson Major - by Anthony West. George bought his Fordson Major from a an implement sale about 18 years ago for £200.00 (UK). There is no known history regarding its origins or what service it had done, but the following work was undertaken alone to bring it up to show standard. From the engine number, it was found that this Major was produced late 1946. It was almost complete but had various parts that would definitely need replacing.
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