I have inherited a lionel log loader (the big one witht he belt drive and such) my dad and i resored it to working condition (did NOT paint it) and everything runs like a charm, exept the dumper, the dumper worked the first few times after we repaired it but now it has lost all strength and wont hold any logs, but they move slightly when i pu***he control button, so i know the electronic conection is good or at least working. Anone with expirence in this field please give imput.
You’ll probably get more luck on the Classic Toy Trains forum.
If it’s driven by a motor or solenoid perhaps the permanent magnets have become weak, or there may be some gunk or something in the bearings, or the mechanism has some wear in it, or 27 other different causes.
Hugh’s right, you missed the correct forum by one. Easy to do with such similar names.[;)]
As for the log loader, that problem is not unusual. The stakes don’t snap back to the full upright position. I’m not sure they were ever intended to work that way. Keep in mind that as more logs reach the top, their weight puts increasing pressure on on the stakes. Ultimately, if there was enough room for logs at the top, they would start to dump themselves. The real issue is will the soleniod hold back the logs until you press the button to release them?
I just went downstairs and looked at mine. I never noticed that one of the stakes has a little paddle on the end that is underneath. The paddle serves two purposes. First it is a motion limiter, and second it is something of a counter weight. You could glue a penny or a washer to it to help it pull up straighter. Just make sure that you put it on the non limiting side. It may take more than one.
The thing about the solenoid is that it is only there to give it a push. It has no way of pulling back.