342 Lionel Culvert loader

Keep it perfectly level, raise the voltage a little, and use NO lube whatsoever.

I actually kicked it up sligbtly at the rail side vs level. Your's looks worse for it though. 

Softening the ramp mount to absorb some vibration? (foam/tape) or at the vibrator? Adjusting power slightly might help too.

When I didn't have correct culverts, I padded the ramp top at the pickup spot with clear tape to gain 1/32" or so at the pipe edges. (not why, but it helped too)

I honestly think they left a little "weak" design in place sometimes without much worry, because for kids, problems can be play value. Kids love to fidget too, and little issues teach physics skills without really trying hard to do so.

Try lowering the voltage.  Seems way too high. If the arm and movement stop or are sporadic after lowering the voltage, adjust the spring length connecting to the string around the pulleys, and / or adjust the vibrator motor by bending till you hit the sweet spot for the vibrating mechanism.  

For better operation, it should be run a bit faster. This so the claw opens faster and helps so the edge of the culvert doesn't 'slide' off the end of the claw, instead just drops. if that is the fastest it runs in the video, the motor mechanism needs adjustment. The grapper needs to move a little farther down the beam. This adjustment is not easy. You need 2 pair of pliers to very slightly twist the heavy gauge driving arm to adjust the movement. Finally about the culverts, try using a dab of rubber cement to glue on a small piece of sandpaper right where the culvert sits first in line to be picked-up on the ramp at the bottom.

Have the same problem.  Thanks, Guys.  Tom LoPresti

Mike.........I am certainly no expert in repair......However, I do remember an old TM Video of Stan Roy’s layout where he changed the loader and unloader to can motors and they ran much smoother.

You might be able to contact TM Books/Video and see if it can be streamed to you to watch......

Peter

Thanks.  Will check it out.  Tom

Thanks for the feedback guys.

 I need to get it back out on the work bench and try adjusting the spring.

Mike

I had one that had this same problem. Just try to tweak the entire overhead tower a bit to the left.

Thanks. 

What voltage are you using?   It appears too much vibration is being transmitted to the housing....make sure the nut securing the roof on is not too tight or too loose..snug does it.  When adjusting the spring tension, be carefull of the arm the spring attaches to... they will break from metal fatigue.   In the October 1999 issue of O Gauge Railroading,  Jim Barrett in the Backshop wrote a piece titled 'The Old and the New'. in which he described the the problems and fixes for the 342 Culvert Loader.  If you can reference that, it would be helpful.  Good luck with it...it's a fun accessory to watch.

Tom Smith

Thanks, Tom.