doit4luv
starting to shine!
Member since September 2004
Posts: 43
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Post by doit4luv on Oct 4, 2004 21:38:43 GMT -5
The drive belts on my tumbler keep breaking. I've checked the belt alignment, which is straight. At one time, it appeared loose because the belt would come off when I placed the barrel on the machine. So, I adjusted the motor to make the belt fit a little tighter and another new belt broke after 24 hours. I check the tumbler every morning and when I get home from work. The new belts would work for 18-24hrs and then break. All of this occurred about 8 days after initially operating a brand new tumbler. I think I may have to ship it in to Lortone to get it fixed. My operating theory right now is that it may be getting too hot during operation and softening the drive belt which is making it break. Before I interrupt my current tumbling cycle and go through the time and expense of shipping it in, I thought I would ask you guys if you have any ideas what the trouble might be, or what I might be able to do to correct this problem. It has become quite frustrating. "Thank you for your time"...to all who respond.
James
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Post by Cher on Oct 4, 2004 22:00:39 GMT -5
I'm sorry, what a bummer. I don't have an answer, but maybe a suggestion. Could you possibly just call them or maybe check their website to see if they have an email addy you could write to before you have to ship it off? [glow=red,2,300] ~ Cher ~[/glow] pages.prodigy.net/bestsmileys1/signs/RockOn.gif [/img]
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Post by docone31 on Oct 4, 2004 22:05:08 GMT -5
On the belt breakage, what type of fracture is it? Is the belt intact except for the breakage? Is the belt true to the drive line. Both pulleys adjust on the Loretone models. I have never had a belt break. Is there a burr on one of the pulleys? Is there evidence of rubber on the pulleys. That would indicate overheating. Are you putting anything on the pulley like anti slip compound, or oil? We need more information.
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Post by James doit4luv on Oct 5, 2004 8:52:27 GMT -5
I have NOT put anything on the pulleys at all. The tumbler ran fine for the first eight days, then the belt broke, and the replacement belts started doing the same thing in 12-18 hours of replacement. I don't see any evidence of rubber on the pulleys. What I have seen are what appears to be little shreds of the belt (looks like small hairs) in the bottom and on the inner side of the metal frame that covers the motor. The belt is essentially broken in TEXTone TEXTarea. It almost looks as if it had been cut, but the edges are not always even. I have been operating the tumbler for 36 hours now, so far uninterrupted, with the metal frame removed to prevent the motor area from overheating. It appears to be working so far, but I can't conceive running the tumbler forever without the cover on it. Accumulation of dust and debris on the engine could be another problem. I hope this information helps.
doit4luv(James)
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Post by docone31 on Oct 5, 2004 9:37:20 GMT -5
I know how frustrating it is, especially with a new tumbler. I routinely run my old Loretone 33B without the motor cover. I have never experienced any difficulties with dust or dirt intrusion. Again, it is frustrating to run a new tumbler without the cover. From the sounds of it, the tracking of the rollers might be an issue. You might try a little lithium grease on the nylon bushings. You will find a slit on the nylon sleeve the roller goes through. A little 3 N 1 oil, and then a dob of lithium grease. If I were going through what you are experiencing with a new tumbler, especially a Loretone, I think I would be expressing colourful metaphores with vigor. Loretone is my first choice.
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phoenix1647
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since March 2013
Posts: 186
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Post by phoenix1647 on Oct 5, 2004 10:55:40 GMT -5
As for dust collecting in the motor area...might get yourself a can of compressed air like we use on computers...dust the motor with a blast of air now and then..
Pho
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Post by krazydiamond on Oct 5, 2004 17:15:43 GMT -5
yep, i would expect a lot more from a new Lortone, how frustrating, Jimmy...!! send it back, demand a new one and one for all your friends..........well, maybe just a replacement....lol.
call Customer Service, i am sure they will make it right by you..
KD
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AgateHunter
starting to spend too much on rocks
LAKE SUPERIOR AGATE Minnesota State Gemstone
Member since September 2004
Posts: 107
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Post by AgateHunter on Oct 5, 2004 20:32:22 GMT -5
doit4luv,
One of the things I did with mine, besides oiling the bearings when it was new, was bend out the side of the cover that the motor is on. I do not know how Loretone expects the motor compartment to stay cool with the cover the way it is. If it runs ok with the cover removed, you might try this.
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doit4luv
starting to shine!
Member since September 2004
Posts: 43
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Post by doit4luv on Oct 5, 2004 23:36:52 GMT -5
Lortone is sending me two new belts. If they don't work, the sales manager, Jim, has instructed me to ship it in to him...which I will do IF the new belts fail.
Thanks for the feedback, Guys and Gals!
James
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Pdwight
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2003
Posts: 619
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Post by Pdwight on Oct 6, 2004 23:24:29 GMT -5
Are you using actual Lortone belts or "O" rings I tried the "O" ring rout and had the same luck you are talking about....when I went back to actual Lortone belts (mine are clear) they last or have lasted for over a year easily. Dwight P
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AgateHunter
starting to spend too much on rocks
LAKE SUPERIOR AGATE Minnesota State Gemstone
Member since September 2004
Posts: 107
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Post by AgateHunter on Oct 6, 2004 23:52:39 GMT -5
Clear? Mine came new with the black "O" ring type. Its a 33B.
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doit4luv
starting to shine!
Member since September 2004
Posts: 43
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Post by doit4luv on Oct 11, 2004 21:35:20 GMT -5
Well, I received 2 new drive belts from Lortone in the mail about a week ago and so far the new belt has worked for 7 days without fail. I'll consider putting the top of the frame back on in a few days. If the belt breaks again after this, I'll assume that there is too much heat collecting and just run the tumbler with the top off of it. Thanks, guys and gals, for your support.
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shorty
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2003
Posts: 392
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Post by shorty on Oct 11, 2004 21:45:40 GMT -5
hi do it see if the rollers are tite take the barels off and the belt off then turn the rollars they should roll easy if not oil .. i have a loritone and some times the rollars need a drink maby this helps good luck shorty
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shorty
spending too much on rocks
Member since December 2003
Posts: 392
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Post by shorty on Oct 11, 2004 21:48:25 GMT -5
hi me again dont oil the rollars oil the bearins on each end of the rollars sorry shorty
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