Dave, Lionel did not design in any extra motion for the 342. You have to adjust each piece of the mechanism to get travel from the platform to the track and back. Lots of small adjustments.
I can fix this for you as I have had the same isuue.
http://kenslionelrestoration.com/
Ken
Need some assistance with 342 loader. Got everything to work but for one thing. The claw does not travel far enough to drop culvert into car. Travels about 3/4 of the way across car then drops. Needles to say the culverts fall off the side. Anyway to adjust travel. Seems to be fine when picking up culverts. Just does not travel enough to drop into car correctly. Thanks for any assistance. Dave
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