The decompression lever looks like a choke cable arrangement to the left of the tach and near the fuse box cover on the dash. Pull the cable handle up when you try to start and the engine should spin easily and much faster then normal. Once the oil light goes off push the knob back in and you will have the engines normal compression and it should start easily.
Any added weight you add should help in the cultivator.
Any added weight you add should help in the cultivator.