Can you bump start a tank? #tanks

Some modern Russian SPGs, like the 2S1 you see here, can be bump started—just like a car! With a dead battery, the crew can push the vehicle to build momentum and jumpstart the engine. It’s an old trick that’s still used today.

[Daddo]

According to official German manuals this is the standard procedure and the electric starter should only be used for emergencies due to its short service life and often brakages

[therovingrobin]

Quick correction: crank starting was the NORMAL operating way of starting the big tanks! The electric starter had a very hard time, cranking that 12 cylinder and was reserved for in-combat/emergency situations only...btw: the crank rotates a big flywheel, which once engaged than turns the engine

[hondoflint]

What's wild is 10 dudes pushing a

[johnbastien]

I really like these short fact based content videos. Nice.

[osmacar]

Wasn't some. It was all of them. Also the reliability issues are mostly down to not spinning it fast enough, or gearing is faulty.

[ars]

So embarrassing to have your enemies wait for battle while you bump start your tank...lol

[viirus]

2s1 can also be started by turning the crank shaft manually but if there are enough people pushing is way easier

[CavGunnerTV]

We had to tow-start an M60A1 once when I was at Ft. Stewart.

[Sigma__taliBAN_male]

They should have made a blank cartridge starter and use the 8mm mauser

[miket]

Hey, they don't call it "MAN" power for nothing!!!😅😅😅

[shenyathewelder]

My question is why can't modern cars do this? Like my mini-van should be capable of doing this

[filipinorutherford]

Annnnd of course while youbare doing that the enemy is shooting at you lol.

[coreymerrill]

The crank is used to distribute oil to the cylinders. Old tanks often used rotary engines from aircraft . The oil will settle into the bottom and by cranking it, the oil gets pushed back up through the engine and brings fuel into the system . The same reason people have to rotate a propeller on small planes to start them .