I have a postwar 364 lumber loader that the conveyor belt slips on the drive wheel from the motor. This had a broken belt on it when I got it. The replacement belt is more of a ribbon material than cloth like the original, but I don’t think that is why it is slipping. The motor swings freely, and the weight of the motor is the only tension on the belt. In the box with the loader there was a 1 inch by ½ inch V-shaped spring with a tab on one end that I believe is to put tension on the motor or belt. For the life of me I can not figure out where it goes or if it is even part of the loader.
Can any one help to correct this problem?
Thanks, JT
I believe the motor uses gravity to create tension in the belt. I remedied the slipping by attaching a strip of 320 sand paper around the wheel at the motor.
Kurt
kpolakI believe the motor uses gravity to create tension in the belt. I remedied the slipping by attaching a strip of 320 sand paper around the wheel at the motor. Kurt
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
I have a 364 log loader. Motor is sprung and puts tension on the belt. I had my belt replaced as well. The new belt just does not have any grip to it to pull the logs up the incline. But, with that spring it should not slip. Maybe try one log at a time and see if weight is a factor. I use more course logs so they grip better on the belt. thanks.
lionel2 I have a 364 log loader. Motor is sprung and puts tension on the belt.
I have a 364 log loader. Motor is sprung and puts tension on the belt.
Where is the spring? And what kind of spring is it?
JT
I recently lubed and oiled mine. The spring is like an L shape spring. The two ends you push together so there is tension. Then it is placed on that metal rod that holds the motor, then it is somehow held in place on one end by the motor and the other by a metal sheet plate or something. I have my 364 on my layout all wired up, so I am unable to give you exact details. But, I know for a fact there is a big spring that pushes the motor to make the belt tight. Thanks.
lionel2 The spring is like an L shape spring. The two ends you push together so there is tension. Then it is placed on that metal rod that holds the motor, then it is somehow held in place on one end by the motor and the other by a metal sheet plate or something.
The spring is like an L shape spring. The two ends you push together so there is tension. Then it is placed on that metal rod that holds the motor, then it is somehow held in place on one end by the motor and the other by a metal sheet plate or something.
That sounds like the spring I have. Can anyone post a picture of it in place? I have messed with this for hours, I feel it is like one of those twisted nail puzzles.
I also had the same problem with my log loader so I wrapped a wide rubber band around the wheel, the rubber band is the kind that they use to wrap lettuce at the grocery store, it was a little big so I cut it down so it fits tight with only a little tension and glued the ends together with super glue and it's held great for a couple of years so far. Good luck! :)
Paul
Sorry, I gave some mis information...I remember my motor flopped around when I received it...and I didn't remember how I remidied it...anyhoo...here's a photo of the spring.
(photo is from the bottom of the loader...upside down)
I guess my description was accurate. Boy, I have a better memory than I remember. That must of been like 3 months ago I oiled and lubed my 364 log loader. Its a big spring alright. Might wanna open up the motor and clean out some of the junk lube inside of it. thats what i did, now it runs smoothier and quiet. Just a little bit of whirl sounds to it. Hope I helped with my description, but that picture really shows the spring well. Thanks.
Thanks guys, the spring I have is flat metel bent into a V shape. Maybe it is not part of the loader. I'm sure I can round up a spring as pictured.
Thanks again for all your help.
JT,
The spring that Kurt shows in the pic is the later type. The type you have is the earlier flat spring type. The long straight end goes in the gap between the gearbox and its mounting bracket, and the short end goes against the bracket that is attached to the loader.
Thank you Jim !
I never knew there were two versions. I knew someone could figure this out. Also thanks for everyones help offered.
The belt will often slip because the rollers down at the bed don't turn freely enough. Do yourself a favor. Remove the rollers one at a time. make certain each pin is absolutely clean. Run a pipe cleaner wet with solvent through the hole in the roller. If you have a drill bit that is the same diameter as the pin, use your fingers (not a drill) to run the drill bit though the hole. Then, if you have a dry lubricant, such as Dri-Slide, put a tiny bit in the hole. DO NOT USE OIL.
Incidentally, one of the best investments I made was a good set of drill bits, fractional, and numeric. I often use drill bits as hand tools to clean the crud out of holes. The idea is to find one that fits snugly, but can still be used with your fingers. One does not want to enlarge the hole.
As others have posted above, some loaders had flat springs, others had the coil type springs. Sometimes they turn up with no springs at all. If the belt is in good condition, and the rollers are turning freely, the loader will work OK with no springs. I don't know whether the ones without springs left the factory that way, or if a tinkerer/repair person left the spring out. The 364 must have been very popular. I lost count of the number I've serviced over the years.
Some folks may be interested to know that they came in both crackle and hammertone finishes.
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