polished
has rocks in the head
Member since February 2006
Posts: 567
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Post by polished on Sept 7, 2006 16:24:56 GMT -5
Gah ! You'd think something this simple would work without breaking down. I now have the 4 Lortone 3A's running, even though earlier this year I had that first one break down -- it did get replaced and that made me happy, and then I had the two working just fine for several months.
Now I have the 4, and couldn't be happier -- until I got home yesterday and one of them wasn't tumbling.
I've done everything, and just now resorted to emailing Lortone about it. There just isn't anything MORE frustrating than coming home to find one of your tumblers isn't moving !
All those pretty freeforms -- just sitting there !!
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rallyrocks
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since November 2005
Posts: 1,507
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Post by rallyrocks on Sept 7, 2006 17:10:57 GMT -5
I occasionally have problems with my 3A seizing just from having the load get unbalanced, I can't quite seem to get enough tension on the belt to keep from slipping.
I have a 33B running next to it and usually just swapping barrels with one of them solves it since the dually has things nicely mixed up.
Other times I can just shake up the barrel that was sticking, having that stuff loosened up and re-distributed so it can roll around more freely can make all the difference.
Otherwise it's time to get back in and adjust belt tension, clean the belt, whatever it takes there- although you said you've done everything.....
-do try swapping a barrel from one of the other units that are still turning
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Post by puppie96 on Sept 8, 2006 2:48:18 GMT -5
Give the belt a squirt of belt dressing.
If your belt is tight LOOSEN it. I've had more get hung from too-tight belts than too loose belts.
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polished
has rocks in the head
Member since February 2006
Posts: 567
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Post by polished on Sept 8, 2006 9:08:52 GMT -5
I've traded barrels, changed belts -- I haven't tightened the belt yet, so that's an idea. I did get it running last night by tilting up one side of the unit so that the barrel is leaning more onto the moving roller. This afternoon all the rocks are due for a cleaning and inspection, and moving on to the next stage, so hopefully it'll work itself out. But I'll try tightening the belt this weekend and see if that does the trick. That's the one thing I didn't think to try !  |
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Post by puppie96 on Sept 9, 2006 1:41:20 GMT -5
Tilting is a good trick. The very first tumbler I got would only run that way for a long time. Now it will run flat. Why? Who knows. Probably it's something I am doing differently but not sure what.
Did anybody suggest that you remove the housing from the unit and leave it off? Mine will not run with the housing on. Period. Actually, there's a logical reason for this; the belt stretches when it is hotter and with the housing off it stays cooler.
Also did anybody mention that the first thing to do is figure out exactly what isn't moving. Is the belt going around and around like it is supposed to but not turning the rod, just slipping? Or is the belt coming to a complete stop? Or is everything turning like it is supposed to, only the rod is spinning around but the barrel isn't gaining any traction? Knowing which of these situations it is will help you fix the problem.
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littlejimie
starting to spend too much on rocks
A rolling stone gathers no moss
Member since January 2005
Posts: 170
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Post by littlejimie on Sept 9, 2006 12:26:13 GMT -5
Check your drive pulley on the motor shaft and also the large pulley on the barrel drive...they may be loose...make sure they they are secure...tight on the shaft.
Hope this helps, Jim
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polished
has rocks in the head
Member since February 2006
Posts: 567
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Post by polished on Sept 14, 2006 15:38:38 GMT -5
I've found that if I tilt the entire machine slightly - putting a screwdriver under one side - forcing the barrel down on the rolling bar, it will tumble. But after a few hours, the barrel will hop off the guide.
They told me to go ahead and send it back to either be fixed or replaced (again!)
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