Culvert Unloader 6-12983 - Culverts Won't Pass Through Gates

Not sure if I have a solution to your problem, but I always wondered why Lionel tried to reinvent the wheel.  The post-war unloader works perfectly.  Well, when it's tuned up, which isn't hard to do.  In the late '90s, I picked up the modern version and got so frustrated with it, I got back out of "O" gauge for the short time I re-entered it.  

My guess is the hole where the gate pivot sit in has worn over time so the gate does not sit correctly and does not swing open at true 90 degrees since you said this is a recent problem. might try a drop of oil on the pivot stud. If no luck, you may need to make a simple bearing and drill and fit into the plastic so the gate stands correctly and the culvert can swing it open. Both gates may need this repair.

I've given up on trying to make mine work.  I might look for a Post War one in good shape instead...

Jon

The culvert has to approach the two gates exactly in the middle. I've added lead weights on a stick to one side of the mechanism to help. See photo.  

KOOLjock1 posted:

I've given up on trying to make mine work.  I might look for a Post War one in good shape instead...

Jon

Do it Jon.  I have found that a wheel can only be one shape.  It's impossible to re-invent.  The technology that can't be seen is very difficult to repair.  Sort of like a computer.  It does all these amazing things, but when it doesn't, all **** breaks loose.  

The postwar is worth the search. I built mine out of parts I found "under the table" over quite a few years - works perfectly, if noisily. The loader is even simpler in operation (no strings), and is easier to find.

When they redesigned the unloader from the original version, it is missing some of the action, the 'big' counterweight sliding up and down on the side stanchion. That helped give it a 1930's industrial feel.

Hello all,

Thank you for your suggestions. I think I was able to get around this issue by taping back the left gate to the side panel. Then I taped a piece of firm clear plastic from a package which I had shaped into the shape of a V. I carefully taped it on the front edge of the supply channel chute , aligned with the channel edge, with the open mouth of the V facing the back of the loader. When the gantry brings the culvert pipe towards the  supply chute gate the culvert is able to depress the plastic V and pass the right gate as well and then when it starts to go back the culvert gets scraped off the plastic V that has rebounded to its original height. The tests I have done seem to work about as well as before but only time will tell if this holds up.

Thanks again,

Vic V