culvert unloader

They look very similar, but I've never had both in one place to try and line up the ramps.  I have the modern TMCC pair.

I tried this and had nothing but trouble..Good luck if you try.

Rod

can you expound more on that?  Did they not line up correctly?  What problems did you have? Thanks

I am glad to share .first they had to run on different voltages t,hus separate transformers no problem I had several transformers  secand they viberated differently,,,thus no screwed down, third the modern were harder to adjust and regulate.

Other pgroblems developed , such as car alignment.

Patience was growing thin  ,as both sets were mintt,  new in the box

By now >I     went to 2 setups  axll modern on a separate siding  and all postwar on a different sidingI have since learned h ow to h andle 2 tempermental sets,,,,,,,,,,,,both are fun    when they are set up right.

Glad to help and offer advise.

Rod

I've had my TMCC units working fine together, of course I didn't need different voltages.  I can see needing the two power supplies, but I think his question was whether they'd line up, I'm not 100% sure they will, but they sure look the same.

My TMCC units don't "vibrate" at all, it's strictly motor drive.  I believe the PW one used a vibrator motor, that would be different.  I had no issues using them together.  Car alignment is somewhat tricky, but if you use a command locomotive with good low speed performance, it becomes routine.

The only issue I had with mine was adjusting the limit switches for the unloader.

i haven't tried out my loader yet as I just got it.  Does it use a vibratory motor, or just the unloader?  I hope it isn't vibratory, I hate how loud they are.

You might also consider the #346 Manual Unloader. I used one for years, until I found a junk #345 that had a destroyed structure but a working mechanism and combined the two. Also, around 25 years ago, I found an article in The Lion Roars (don't know the issue) that had instructions for motorizing the #346. If you have kids, give the manual a try. Personally, I prefer the PW to the Modern.

Both the PW culvert loader and unloader are run using the vibrating motor, the modern ones use DC can motors.

I have the PW set and they work flawlessly. They are loud, as you would expect, since both utilize the Vibramotor.

Here is a link to one of my videos which show them in action with audio. The culvert duo is from 3:09-4:30.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtUMh4ec7bQ

I think it's hard to beat the charm of PW accessories and my visitors are usually impressed that these toys are well over 50 years old!

Good luck with your search whichever way you go!

TJ

If you change your mind and decide to go the Post War route. I am dismantling my layou and have a set. Comes complete with original boxes and inserts.

Good luck with your adventure. They are an eye catching piece and fun to watch.

Gene

Those PW ones work great TJ, nice video.

SUPER VIDEO, TJ.  THis shows how they can work if properly tuned.

Rod

TJ I love your layout.  I have referred to it many times as the accessories are probably my favorite part about O gauge trains.  I haven't seen a video of a better collection of accessories.  Thanks for sharing.

Wow, c.demille, I'm flattered by gunrunnerjohn, nrod and your comments.

This forum truly has some exceptionally talented, friendly and helpful people on it.

All of my accessories are connected in parallel to one KW transformer that is conveniently located near "accessory row".

Only one accessory runs at a time so there are no voltage drop problems.

 Most of my PW accessories run at about the same voltages, around 12-14, so adjustments are not needed very often.

My power hogs, as it turns out, are the Lionel Intermodal Cranes. In particular, the transverse action of the carriage requires about 16 volts when the trailer is loaded on it.

Good luck with your search!

TJ

I did some "tweaking" of my intermodal crane voltages to make it run better.  I lowered the wheel motor voltages, and I raised the transverse motor voltage.  I also had to do some surgery on the clamps to allow them to latch properly on Lionel containers.  After that, it worked a lot better.

" I lowered the wheel motor voltages, and I raised the transverse motor voltage."

Interesting idea. Did you accomplish this by running different voltages to the control box for each of the functions?

TJ, Did you have to do much tweaking to get the culvert loaders functioning that nicely?  G

The control box for the intermodal crane has resistors to regulate the speeds of various functions, I just opened it up and changed resistances to get better operation and balance.  It was an experimental process, a box of power resistors and a little time and I had a much better operating crane.  I found I needed the most power for the clamp arms for reliable operation, so that was what drove the input voltage.

Hi GGG....not much tweaking was necessary.

I guess I was lucky as my culvert pieces worked well when I bought them. They run best at about 13 volts. The culverts on the loader would occasionally vibrate into the path of the returning carriage before it was able to pick them up but a small piece of masking tape on the ramp gave enough friction that they would stay until the carriage grabbed them.

Thanks John for the neat tip on altering the voltage to the individual I/M crane functions.

Now I have a winter project!

I also had to take some material from the inside of the clamp arms, as well as shorten their tips a bit.  As originally built, the arms didn't open quite wide enough for the Lionel containers, they were barely wider than the actual container.  Also, when they clamped, they didn't lock properly and would frequently drop the containers.  I cut about 3/16" off the tips and took about 1/8" of material inside the arms tapered toward the bottom (more at the bottom) so they could properly grip the containers.  That made a big difference in the reliability of the pickup and transport.

The really odd thing was, they picked up the MTH RailKing containers just fine before the mods!

Just an update for everyone that may have the same question I did...  A modern culvert unloader does not line up properly with a post war culvert loader.  They are off by about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch.  If I line the ramp up, the track beds don't line up properly.  Unfortunately I had to learn the hard way by buying one of each.  Now I am on the hunt for either a post war unloader or a modern loader and then I can sell one of mine.  I just hope I can make the switch without costing me any more money