Lionel 164 log loader

Big Bill, is this schematic the one you are using?

As soon as I get back to my Run Room (it may be Thursday) I will take photos for you.  Do you have a copy of the original instructions?  If not, I can get you a copy.  Do you have the controller with the knob?  Mine is wired with the original controller on one side and a momentary switch with push button on the other side.  See photo.

Lighting was not good.  See if this helps. There are four holes in the green base for mounting screws, one in each corner.  They have nothing to do with the wiring. 

David, Thank you for the photos. The 164 loader that I have has only three terminals vs your four. Which makes the  issue of wiring a little more confusing. I believe the terminals for your transformer are located on the top of your platform vs mine which are located on the side. I would have to assume therefore that the wire running from the lower silver post on the right side of the motor is the hot line from the transformer; which is the top screw terminal in the diagram? The screw terminal that it goes to also connects to the lower plate in the control switch?

You have two wires coming from two different screw terminals and appear, via the diagram, are the result of a split in the wire that goes to the solenoid? Does your solenoid have only one wire connected to it as mine?

Again, thank you for your effort to help me. 

I hope if I have any other questions I may call on you?

                                                                                 Bill

Bill, you are correct that my log loader has two terminal posts on the deck, not on the side.  In looking at the diagram that Susan provided, the two terminal posts are the two black circles. The upper black circle is on the second contact down.  That is the “common” connection from the transformer. It goes three places; 1) it goes the the motor field coil, 2) it goes to the solenoid coil, and 3) it goes to one of the roof supports that is common for the lamps.  The other terminal post, the hot post, is the lower black circle, which in on the forth contact down.  There are two wires on that contact.  One goes to the lamps and the other goes out on the 3 wire cable suppling power to the switch.  

The control switch has a momentary contact for the solenoid  and an off and on switch for the motor.  The #1 wire from the on and off switch goes to the top contact.  From there the wire goes to one of the motor brushes.  There is wire from the other brush to one field connection.  That completes the motor circuit.

The wire from the momentary switch goes out on the #2 wire and connect to the third contact.  There is a wire from the other end of the third contact to solenoid coil.  That completes the circuit to the solenoid circuit. 

My guess is that Lionel omitted the second contact and runs the common wires directly from the common terminal post to the motor field, one side of the solenoid, and to the lamps.  They use the remaining three contacts for the three wires to the controller.  But having never studied your version of the 164, I am only guessing at this.  If you can not straighten the wiring out based on this information, maybe attach a few pictures of the under side and I will see if I can figure it out.  Or maybe Susan has the side terminal version of the 164 and she can shed more light on the situation.

Bill, here's is your photo and wiring with additional notes.  I will add my dad's original instructions later.  Dad did such a good job of identifying the wires in the 3 wire cable that I never needed wiring info so when I started digging I went ahead and found additional info for another website article.  My terminals are also on the deck.  The prewar versions had them on the side.  Please share when you're up and running.

A copy of Dad's instructions for the 164 Lumber Loader is attached.  My archives also contained the attached Pre-war tip from Jim Weatherford.  Also see Pages 1 and 2 from service documents and a 1941 Parts list.

The following page has been added to my website containing all the information I can find on the

164 Lumber Loader and Wiring for Inside Base of Postwar Loader .

An exploded diagram to match the Parts List would be nice.  If you have one to share I will be glad to add it to the page.