I just purchased and installed this unloader and the hook (magnet) height needs to be raised. Is this possible without going back to a service center?
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Just go to Lionel's You Tube site and watch their 15 min presentation on their operation, they show you how to make adjustments for proper operation. Lionel has over 70 videos on You Tube on their products, very informative. The line below will take you to the one for the culvert loader & unloader.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...x=2&feature=plcp
Paul
Thanks Paul. I did that first,but didn't see anything for adjusting the height of the magnet. I believe that somehow there must be an adjustment, but it's not obvious to me.
George
George,
It worked perfectly when I first hooked it up, but then I had this same problem.
For my situation, I was able to take the cover (over the string) off, and then wrap the string one more time around the pulley. I did notice that the magnet was a little tight when it was all the way up. Since it worked out of the box, and nothing else seemed to have changed, I decided to try wrapping it around the pulley.
Another alternative, which is probably a better fix since it was proably too tight from the factory, would be to pry off what looks like hot glue, adjust the string and re-glue it (this will make more sense once you uncrew the cover). I think a good hot glue will work.
Thanks Steve. This is exactly what happened to me. I bench tested it, and it worked fine. Of course,after I installed it on the layout, the magnet is too low. It's almost like the string streched. I did loosen the screws on the string cover, but didn't have the guts to remove it without some encouragement, which you just provided. Thanks again. I'll remove the cover and go from there.
George
You're welcome George, I hope it works. Much like you I was hesitant to do anything with a brand new item that should work for more that 10 minutes, but I really wasn't interested in having to return it either.
I should mention that after I did this, it worked great for awhile, and then it happened again. I simply wrapped it around again and I haven't had an issue since then.
Steve, I talked to a Lionel tech and if you remove 3 more screws, one in the area of the string and the other two on the top frame, you can remove (disengage) the motor,wind up the string to where you want it on the wheel, rengage the motor and you're good to go. I did this and it was painless. I wonder if the string comes off the wheel if there is too much slack in the line when lowering the magnet? I guess I better keep the screw driver handy. Thanks for the help.
George
If anyone happens to do this soon, I would love to see some pictures. I'm just one of those visual learners. 
Ryan, George,
Have either of you had a problem with the magnet not going low enough or retract high enough? There is a large gear in a gear box behind the spool of string that has to be adjusted to a certain spot to get sll of the machine in alignment but I have not yet found that sweet spot. Any help willbe appreciated. dave
