Lionel Oil Drum Loader (05/99 Version)

I  have the American Flyer 4-2300, made in 1983/1984.

Same problem, I bought it from a member that lives in “GA”, he had the same problem, tried to make it work, finally gave up and it just sits on the siding.

Brent

Not familiar with how this one works but can you set backside of loader up 3/16ths yo give you what you need. Doesn't seem like much.

I'll send pictures in a few hours.  Here is what I did:

1) evergreen styrene strips on the ramp to be sure the barrels rolled smoothly.  These are white and a bit ugly but......

2) black electrical tape on the dump to adjust the angle.

3) fooled with the voltage, I think I am at 9 volts- this last thing is so the fork truck does not go too fast.  If I remember on mine 12-14 was too much.  

good luck!

Mine is the 4-2300, Here are the pictures, it works like a champ and the voltage is 10 volts:

Evergreen strips with scotch tape

See the tape

Long view

Serious precision, I did start by making sure it was flat since I had it spaced up so it would dump into a bunch of different cars

Hokie71:

Thanks for your info and helpful pix.  I have some styrene, so I'll "install" two strips on the downslope ramp of this accessory.  Then I'll add black tape to the discharge dump tray as a guide for the oil barrels, and hope for the best.  It might require several attempts to get it right, but that's better than the alternative -- moving it to a siding as a "dead accessory."  When finished with these manipulations, I'll post photos -- maybe a short  video -- on this website as "proof of performance."

I'm using a fenced flat car (not a gondola) to receive the oil barrels; it's easier to manipulate the barrels in the flat car with a stylus to avoid jamming at the dump site.

With appreciation,

Mike Mottler     LCCA 12394
mottlerm@gmail.com

Thanks for the pictures and comments, l am going to give it another try .

Thanks

Brent

I owned a 2300 a number of years ago. With my sample, one had to adjust the clearance of the slot under the shed to permit the lever that actuates the fork truck to move freely. It then operated "OK", but just OK. The cheap can motor has a mismatch between the range of operating voltage and the resulting fork truck velocity ... a serious design flaw.

Now permit me to pass along a piece of advice ... The best way to fix a 2300 is to set aside the Lionel reissues and get yourselves an original genuine Gilbert No. 779 or No. 23779 Oil Drum Loader. They are one of the all time best operating accessories (virtually fool-proof) equipped with a large smooth Erector induction motor. Not tough to find and not expensive. 

Bob

I not sure if the problem is the same, but here is a page from Lionel service.

Mike:

Just stumbled across your thread.  

I believe I have the same drum loader and; if you haven’t done the styrene thing yet; there is a minor adjustment you might try first.

On the forklift there is a small metal tab at the front of the drum “catcher”.  Gently bend that up to about a 45 degree angle.  

This makes it easier for the forklift to catch and hold the drum.  I did this on mine years ago and about the only time it will miss a drum is when you need to readjust the tab.

Curt

Before you do anything else, adjust the voltage.  Too  much will cause the barrels to drop.  Try several settings.  That is the solution I found.