Lister diesel generators are much the same - half a dozen cranks, restore compression and off they go. The hand cranking can easily break your arm if you get it wrong though.

Even gas engine pull starts have a compression release function built in. That's why you need special cylinder pressure tools to check compression on most pull starts.

I did that too and crank got stuck on flywheel. To stop engine I had to climb over the engine where now-removed stairs were since my mate was clueless. Fortunately the crank handle stayed on.

Cranks and decompression levers are gone for at least 30-40 years now tho.