hand-cranked
Turned by grip
Hand-cranked describes machinery operated by turning a crank by hand rather than by motor or electricity.
The term applies to older devices like hand-cranked ice cream makers or hand-cranked phonographs, and to manual backups for powered equipment.
Figuratively, it can suggest something old-fashioned, labor-intensive, or charmingly analog: Their hand-cranked approach to bookkeeping was endearing but inefficient.
Old valued collectible
- old-fashionedBelonging to earlier times
- retroEvoking recent past
- nostalgiaLonging for the past
- gramophoneDisc-playing sound machine
phonograph · Model T · ice cream maker · meat grinder · coffee grinder · sewing machine · wringer · butter churn
Operated by bodily effort
- off-gridWithout utility connections
- unpluggedDisconnected from power
- sustainableAble to endure long-term
- emergencySerious sudden danger
backup · portable · self-sufficient · non-electric · low-tech · independent · reliable · kinetic
Turning on an axis
- manualWritten instructions for use
- gearsToothed rotating machine parts
- mechanismMeans by which something operates
- shaftNarrow vertical passage
lever · flywheel · pulley · turn · winding · ratchet · spindle · torque
Requiring extensive human effort
- elbow greaseStrenuous physical effort
- physical effortBodily work or strain
- tediousBoring through length
- tiresomeCausing boredom or annoyance
repetitive · slow · arduous · painstaking · strenuous · exhausting · demanding · grueling
antique
Old valued collectible
- old-fashionedBelonging to earlier times
- retroEvoking recent past
- nostalgiaLonging for the past
gramophone · phonograph · Model T · ice cream maker · meat grinder · coffee grinder · sewing machine · wringer · butter churn · corn sheller
human-powered
Operated by bodily effort
- off-gridWithout utility connections
- unpluggedDisconnected from power
- sustainableAble to endure long-term
emergency · backup · portable · self-sufficient · non-electric · low-tech · independent · reliable · kinetic · dynamo
rotation
Turning on an axis
- manualWritten instructions for use
- gearsToothed rotating machine parts
- mechanismMeans by which something operates
shaft · lever · flywheel · pulley · turn · winding · ratchet · spindle · torque · clockwork
labor-intensive
Requiring extensive human effort
- elbow greaseStrenuous physical effort
- physical effortBodily work or strain
- tediousBoring through length
tiresome · repetitive · slow · arduous · painstaking · strenuous · exhausting · demanding · grueling · methodical
- mechanicalhydraulic, pneumatic, spring-loaded, motorized, belt-driven
- off-grid powersolar, battery, generator, solar panel, wind turbine
- unpoweredmanual, human-powered, human power, pedal-powered, wind-up
- done by handhandmade, handwritten, handcrafted
hand-crankedmotorized
Equipped with engine propulsion
electric · powered · battery-powered · gas-powered · steam-powered
hand-crankedautomatic
Operating without intervention
automated · self-starting · push-button · self-propelled · remote-controlled