Lionel Burro Crane Problem

[gottcent]

I recently acquired a 3360 Lionel Burro Crane in a box of old trains. The string that should hold the pulley was somehow caught at both ends within the unit's mechanism. (The pulley was missing.) Afraid to test run the unit lest I inadvertently pull the string even deeper into its entrails, I disassembled it completely and disengaged the end of the string not connected to the plastic ring.

I reassembled the unit (cleaning the motor while doing so) and tried a test run. The crane will run back and forth on the track as it should, but when I move the shift lever into the position that should make the cab rotate and/or wind up the string, nothing happens. I know there's a neutral position for that lever but I'm sure I'm moving it beyond that to what should be the "cab rotate" position.

In this position, absolutely nothing happens. The motor makes no attempt to operate, as though an electrical connection has been broken, even though it will operate well to run the crane along the track. I thought the shift lever simply changed a mechanical hookup to move from track operation to cab rotation, but somehow when I attempt the latter, everything gets quiet.

Any thoughts?

John

[rrswede]

I am not familiar with the 3360 but have always found assistance on the forum and also by searching the "Library" at Olsen's Toy Trains at http://pictures.olsenstoy.com/ Unfortunately their web site has been down for the last few day so I am not certain what info they may have on the 3360.

The attached photos are from the Greenberg 1945-1969 Lionel Trains Repair and Operatinbng Manual. Perhaps you can save them to your computer, open them in a readable format and glean som helpful info. 

Good luck, swede

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rrswede]

Am copying John's original post because it appears something got screwed up with the CTT software and my original response obliterated John's post.

swede

I recently acquired a 3360 Lionel Burro Crane in a box of old trains. The string that should hold the pulley was somehow caught at both ends within the unit's mechanism. (The pulley was missing.) Afraid to test run the unit lest I inadvertently pull the string even deeper into its entrails, I disassembled it completely and disengaged the end of the string not connected to the plastic ring.

 

I reassembled the unit (cleaning the motor while doing so) and tried a test run. The crane will run back and forth on the track as it should, but when I move the shift lever into the position that should make the cab rotate and/or wind up the string, nothing happens. I know there's a neutral position for that lever but I'm sure I'm moving it beyond that to what should be the "cab rotate" position.

 

In this position, absolutely nothing happens. The motor makes no attempt to operate, as though an electrical connection has been broken, even though it will operate well to run the crane along the track. I thought the shift lever simply changed a mechanical hookup to move from track operation to cab rotation, but somehow when I attempt the latter, everything gets quiet.

 

Any thoughts?

 

John

 

[cwburfle]

Very kind of rrswede to post scans of the Lionel service manual pages.
They can also be found in Olsen's library, which unfortunately is down right now.

First thing: Try rotating the armature by hand while the lever is in the "swing/hoist" position. Maybe you have a bad bind.

[gottcent]

Thanks, guys. I'll give these tips a try and see what happens.

John

[DanSteffer]

I am beginning to restore a 3360 Burro Crane. How did you do with yours? I am hoping to find some detailed directions/information.

[gottcent]

I did get mine to work properly. It's been a while but I do know there was no "magic fix." I recall disassembling the entire unit, arranging the parts in a careful order, cleaning them all, and then reassembling using the diagrams referred to elsewhere in this post. (I have a copy of the Lionel Repair Manual, which is the most helpful way to go, though there may be a copy at your public library too.) It took a few tries, but I finally got everything to work. This unit is probably the most versatile Lionel made in the postwar era (since it does everything but shine your shoes!) so it will take a little patience, but you will get there. Postwar Lionel stuff is not only versatile but also durable.