Caterpillar Twenty Two electric starter options?

Well that ends that idea hah, I should have thought to look first. I'm so used to new vehicles having electric starters that I assumed a ring gear was there. Hand cranking it is! 

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Put a skateboard wheel on the starter drive, whulla!. lol

This setup works. It is a easy option if you have trouble cranking with the blade in the way. Bill [attachment=68644]P1040683.JPG[/attachment][attachment=68645]P1040684.JPG[/attachment]

Does your tractor start on the first or second pull? If not, it might need either a tune-up or fine-tuning your starting procedure. For my cousin's Twenty-Two, the procedure I use is to turn on the fuel and the mag switch, leave the throttle closed and close the choke, pull it over two cylinder's worth of compression, then open the choke and pull to start. Works every time on an unrestored engine and of course is very easy. Pull to start is not a jerk or yank either because the mag has an impulse function, so just steadily pull it over.

I'll have to try that procedure. I've been yanking it upwards to start it. It does seem to start quickly, I was under the assumption that pulling it faster would yield better starting results. The blade does get in the way a little bit causing an awkward position. I will try pulling in a more controlled, easier fashion. The previous owner warned me about back fires and how this thing could break my arm should that happen. So I've been a little terrified of that happening, is that a thing with these?

I'll have to try that procedure. I've been yanking it upwards to start it. It does seem to start quickly, I was under the assumption that pulling it faster would yield better starting results. The blade does get in the way a little bit causing an awkward position. I will try pulling in a more controlled, easier fashion. The previous owner warned me about back fires and how this thing could break my arm should that happen. So I've been a little terrified of that happening, is that a thing with these?

Here is the history. You can go to the 25min. mark and it tells the story. Bill 
Second Thursday Talk, December 2020, Henry Leland - YouTube

yes the sharp snap idea works well with small engines. but anything with a impulse magneto it doesn't as the impulse generates that effect.

yes they can break your arm but its more likely from the crank handle getting stuck than a back fire. to prevent stuck handles clean the drive end up well with emery cloth and lube it with silicone spray or other dry lubricant such as dry glide etc and keep it clean and lubed don't forget to do the drive dog on the crankshaft pulley as well. also always tie the handle up out the way the get snagged on things if you don't.

the advice works for all crank handles keep em clean and lubed they work properly. I HAVE SEEN CRANK HANDLES GET STUCK ITS NOT FUN ITS BLOODY SCARY AND THEY CAN FLY OFF(most cat ones cant they are captive but they can still jam in place and spin at engine speed)

heres a valuable tip as todays petrol is absolute rubbish and wont keep it's omph for long, so dont fill the tank right up put in the amount of fuel your going to use plus a little spare then drain the fuel system after use bad fuel cuases most hard starting with petrol engines. if your using it every month not a problem your using the fuel quick enough. its also a good idea to use a fuel stabiliser.
and a upper cyl lube such as flash lube to save the valves these old things where made for power kerosene or leaded petrol. if power kero they had 2 fuel tanks a small on for petrol and the main tank for power kero. you started and warmed up on petrol then changed to kerosene.

i would keep it hand crank personally. but bill's idea wouldnt be hard to do. i would add a small solar panel and solar controller to keep the battery topped up have it mounted to the shed roof and a simple cigarette lighter plug to make it easy. the only challenge then is remember to unplug before driving away and hook it up when you park back in the shed.