I just picked up an old D7 3T, went and checked it out got it started relatively easy and saw everything function. Lowboy goes to pick it up and started fine and loaded up. Get it to my house and we could not get the thing started. It still has the crank handle no electric start. Wondering if maybe I'm missing something in the starting process of the pony that someone can help inform me on.

Turned magneto on, turned fuel on, full choke and then turn the crank handle. Sometimes it turns over and runs momentarily but not long enough to engage the diesel. Most of the time I get nothing from it at all. Fresh fuel, gas line and filter bowl cleaned out. If I pull the jet out of the carb gas flows out so I know fuel is getting in. Initial thoughts would lead to carb clean but not sure how the guy got it started for the semi driver if a jet is plugged. Wondering if there is some technique for the hand crank that I'm missing. I'd prefer not to pull the carb and rebuild it while it's stuck on the lowboy and hoping I'm just missing something in the starting procedure.

 

In my opinion and experiences --
Turn the fuel on to the starting engine - let the Carburetor bowl fill, Shut the FUEL OFF!
Maybe one pull or two with the choke, then no choke - Couple pulls should be running, as it starts/runs - turn the fuel back on.

Sounds to me like you are flooding out - quite common.

You should be able to tell if it is flooding (running exceedingly rich or lean- starved for fuel. Either way make the appropriate adjustments to your procedure.

Always - shut fuel off and let the starting engine run carb out of gas!

Second thought but sounds like it is already eliminated --- THAT GROUND WIRE ON THE MAGNETO - Switch -- I do not have any use for them, too many problems - one of my bosses years ago just pulled them all off, solved the grounding out problems.

Remember proper craninking procedures, if you get MAD at it, you will gain two things, blue air and possible hurt!
Just be gentle, let the impulse on the mag do it's job!
CTS

Thanks for the tips, I wouldn't be surprised it it was flooding I did not turn the fuel off after filling and could only really get it started by removing the air cleaner and using starting fluid. Definitely learned yesterday don't try left handed crank when it kicked back and smashed my arm...seems from the tips I read on other forums I should pull the handle instead of trying to push so I'll have to try that when I go back to it.

First things first --
CRANKING PROCEDURES - DO NOT TAKE CHANCES - FOLLOW PROCEDURES - NO SHORTCUTS!

NEVER-NEVER-NEVER wrap your thumb around a Crank
NEVER-NEVER-Never push down on a crank - same as pushing in any position --- pushing does not allow you to fall away and always presents your body in a stiff position!
NEVER- put any part of your body in line with the arc of the Crank! That includes your bystanders and others. If it throws the bar or crank, and they are in line - guess where it hits!

There are many videos of persons cranking various engines - some get away with foolish -improper - dangerous procedures and others pay the price - maybe just a bruise but some not nearly that fortunate.
Many methods of starting engines, ropes, cranks, bars, and some even require one to climb the flywheels. Just remember - you are not nearly as fast as you think you are when a kickback occurs and they do not give warning!

THINK - Then look at your procedures, your stance, and where you are going to be if it does kick back!

I have cranked many engines in my lifetime, Caterpillar Thirty with the long throw, Wisconsin engines, short throws, bars in Caterpillar 60's and of course the multitudes of Cats that used cranks and ropes. Fordson "f" and Model "T" Fords. Never been hurt but have been close more times than I want to remember!

In one of the many publications I have read over the years - one quote remains with me regarding cranking an engine -- "OL' DOBBIN NEVER KICKED LIKE THIS CRITTER"
Sorry - I can not recall the publication but would be happy to give the credits to the owner - it is very fitting!

CTS

Do you by chance have any videos showing a proper technique for the one that comes through the hood? I couldn't find any good examples it just seemed easier to push than pull and well that obviously ended with some pain luckily nothing to terrible. Picture attached of the crank type on my machine. 

Thanks, I saw that video but for some reason thought it was a different crank type. I'll make sure to crank that way from now on, much safer.

Curious what the feel should be like. Sometimes it feels like nothing to crank and other times it feels like i need all my strength to move it. From that video it seemed like no effort. Should i be just pushing through those hard strokes looking for the light ones? Hopefully that makes sense hard to explain what i mean.

I will give that a shot, probably can't get back to it til Monday and will need to reinstall the air cleaner to try it the right way and hopefully not need starting fluid

Another question, any tips on how many turns out the jet on the exterior bottom of the carb should be? Thinking that could be contributing to it not staying running.