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Can you change Mehano Couplers to Kadee on Log Cars?

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  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Can you change Mehano Couplers to Kadee on Log Cars?
Posted by gdelmoro on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 6:37 PM

I have a couple of Log cars (no idea where I got them) and they have these strange couplers that actually work with Kadee magnet uncouplers but I cannot use them with these mehano couplers. is there a way to cremove them and install Kadee's?

log car

Gary

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Fruita, CO
  • 540 posts
Posted by slammin on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 7:18 PM

According to Kadee's conversion chart, the #`148 wisker coupler will work or the good old standard #5 will work. https://kadee.com/conv/hocc_ihc.htm

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: US
  • 263 posts
Posted by tankertoad70 on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 8:59 PM

We have 'em on our club layout and I just easily dropped in ye ol' Kadee #5.  It is a simple conversion.Cowboy

Don in 'Orygun' City
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Chamberlain, ME
  • 5,084 posts
Posted by G Paine on Wednesday, June 14, 2017 10:56 PM

slammin
According to Kadee's conversion chart, the #`148 wisker coupler will work or the good old standard #5 will work. https://kadee.com/conv/hocc_ihc.htm 

Making the link clickable

https://kadee.com/conv/hocc_ihc.htm 

 

George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch 

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
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Posted by zstripe on Thursday, June 15, 2017 6:20 AM

Also keep this next link in Your book marks bar.....a list of Kadee coupler conversions for just about every Mfg'er:

https://kadee.com/conv/hocc.htm

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Thursday, June 15, 2017 12:04 PM

Where do you attach the coupler box? The photo is off the internet and has what looks like a coupler box but mine must be older because there is none.  I was trying to mount a coupler box on the part that holds the metal linkage but I'm not sure that will work. Let me see if I can get a close up of the car I have.

Gary

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Thursday, June 15, 2017 5:59 PM

Here are some photos

Log car truck

Log Car Couple

Gary

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Chi-Town
  • 7,706 posts
Posted by zstripe on Thursday, June 15, 2017 6:24 PM

Looks like You will need the Talgo type truck mounted couplers. You will need to measure the length of the existing coupler to get a Kadee replacement. They are the 20 series couplers. Here is a link to what they look like. You should be able to remove the coupler after removing the truck. That center pin in the truck will have to be removed. It should be just a press fit. The 20 series couplers:

https://kadee.com/htmbord/page20.htm

Take Care! Big Smile

Frank

EDIT: They also look like they have the infamous pizza cutter wheels....deep flanges.....have You had them on Your layout yet? They should be ok with code 100 rail and switches....but iffy on code 83 rail and switches/frogs.

 

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • 95 posts
Posted by SROC99 on Friday, June 16, 2017 12:48 PM

Gary,  You cars look very similar to the short Rivarossi "Logging Buggies".  Look at the following link to our web site to see if it may apply to your models. https://kadee.com/conv/pdf/r271.pdf

Sam Clarke  R&D

Kadee Quality Products

  • Member since
    January 2014
  • From: Moneta, VA USA
  • 1,175 posts
Posted by gdelmoro on Friday, June 16, 2017 1:48 PM

You're right Sam. Now that you say that I remember getting them with the Shay.

Gary

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