Nothing is gonna happen. Think about farmers who used these machines in its glorious times. Farmers never complain or never get scared from getting hurt.

Ryan. your advice is good for old gasoline engined cars. But not for the Fordson tractor. These have a special magneto that automatically retards the spark when RPM is below a certain amount. If the timing is such that the engine runs ok and has anything like normal power, the timing is then such that kick back is impossible at the speed at which a human can crank it. Fordsons are somewhat hard to start. When it is cold, you often need to vigorously crank the engine several continuous turns so that it draws enough air (and therefore fuel) through the water-bath air cleaner to fire - as seen in this video. Also, they are low revving (operating beyond 1100 RPM is not permitted) and have a far heavier flywheel than a car engine. This means 2 things - it can take a couple of turns to build up a good cranking speed, and it cannot immediately turn backwards with much speed like a car engine readily can. On old car engines, you need to turn the engine over one full turn, then a quick pull up and they'll fire.

My grandad drove these and worked on them out in Dhekelia in Cyprus in 1963 he was in REME and was TA as well they had loads out there.

About 6 mpg if I remember correctly. The RL could be awkward to get back out of 4WD, but they were much better at speed than the MK, which was replacing them when I was in; at about 55 mph the MK developed a steering wobble; whereas the RL never seemed to.

Well I for one enjoyed it 👍🏻🇬🇧

Me too Richard, RAF St Athan, 1970, Instructor, Fred Scott B19 was my gallant mount.

And I did, in 1979. The handbrake cable broke at a junction; I told the staff sergeant examiner, who said, "OK son, just go through the motions and ride the clutch where you need to."

Masse

Thank you! It is :-)