HELP IN GETTING THE 345 LIONEL CULVERT UNLOADER TO WORK PROPERLY

[jokeman48]

After approximately 20 years, the culvert unloader was finally taken out of storage and tested. To my surprise, it worked up to the point where the magnet upon returning to the position where it needs to drop down and pick up the pipe. At that point, it starts to descend about an 1/8 of an inch and then goes back up and across to dislodge the would be pipe.

Suggestions on how to get the magnet to drop down to the appropriate height and pick up the pipe?

Jokeman48

[Utley26]

This forum does not deal too much with modeling, your best bet would be to post your question on the "Classic Toy Trains" forum that is connected to this site.  Here is a link:

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/default.aspx?groupid=5

 

[TRAINCAT]

What do you mean "modeling"? This is a Lionel operating accessory. Why can't he talk about it here?

Roger

[ADCX Rob]

The two strings are most likely twisted and are not sliding by each other as required.

The strings twist when the arm on the 16mm film conveyor fails to pivot properly.  You can see this action by removing the cover and advancing the drive pulley manually(& slowly).  When the loader has been in storage for a while, the steel arm and pivot mount can get little burrs of rust that impede the swinging action.  The tiniest drop of Mobil 1 synthetic oil on the arm shaft will free up this action for another 50 years easily.  Dont get oil on anything else - the vibrotor mechanism works best when very dry.

[derf451]

jokeman48

After approximately 20 years, the culvert unloader was finally taken out of storage and tested. To my surprise, it worked up to the point where the magnet upon returning to the position where it needs to drop down and pick up the pipe. At that point, it starts to descend about an 1/8 of an inch and then goes back up and across to dislodge the would be pipe.

Suggestions on how to get the magnet to drop down to the appropriate height and pick up the pipe?

Jokeman48

 

jokeman48

After approximately 20 years, the culvert unloader was finally taken out of storage and tested. To my surprise, it worked up to the point where the magnet upon returning to the position where it needs to drop down and pick up the pipe. At that point, it starts to descend about an 1/8 of an inch and then goes back up and across to dislodge the would be pipe.

Suggestions on how to get the magnet to drop down to the appropriate height and pick up the pipe?

Jokeman48

 

jokeman48

After approximately 20 years, the culvert unloader was finally taken out of storage and tested. To my surprise, it worked up to the point where the magnet upon returning to the position where it needs to drop down and pick up the pipe. At that point, it starts to descend about an 1/8 of an inch and then goes back up and across to dislodge the would be pipe.

Suggestions on how to get the magnet to drop down to the appropriate height and pick up the pipe?

Jokeman48

 

I found that by the advice of using some solder wrapped aroung the magnet made the hoist drop down perfectly. Thanks for the tip