iamnoone
having dreams about rocks
If it's not shiny, it's not finished
Member since October 2013
Posts: 69
|
Post by iamnoone on Sept 2, 2014 15:30:24 GMT -5
Hi everyone! We have been running a 45c for about 6 months off and on. I keep it lubricated and the motor and wheels are turning fine. The problems is the barrel will not turn. The seal is fine, I fill it about 2/3s. It worked fine up until last week. i have tried everything that Lortone suggests and nothing seems to work. It will spin for a few minutes and just stop. We have adjusted the bracket countless times with no luck. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
John
|
|
Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
|
Post by Steve on Sept 2, 2014 17:13:38 GMT -5
It's difficult to diagnose from afar, but it sounds like the motor is no good and may need to be replaced. Could be the roller bearings. Warranty from Lortone?
|
|
|
Post by 150FromFundy on Sept 2, 2014 17:36:23 GMT -5
I'm not familiar with Lorotone, but if there is a belt, or O-ring between the motor drive shaft and the roller/axle that spins the barrel, replace it. On Thumler, the O-ring needs to be replaced periodically as it looses it's tension. The rubber is attached by machine oil, greasy fingers, ozone from the electric motor, UV, etc.
If the tumbler is a direct drive (no belt or O-ring) and everything else spins freely, the electric motor is the problem. The motors can fail over time and are often victims of power surges from power failures, or nearby lightning strikes.
Darryl.
|
|
iamnoone
having dreams about rocks
If it's not shiny, it's not finished
Member since October 2013
Posts: 69
|
Post by iamnoone on Sept 2, 2014 17:52:16 GMT -5
the motor sounds normal and the wheel spins like it always did
|
|
Steve
has rocks in the head
Member since June 2005
Posts: 506
|
Post by Steve on Sept 2, 2014 18:20:37 GMT -5
I've had a motors go bad on a Lortone 45c and on a 33b. They sounded normal and would run fine without a load, but under load would stall out. After replacing the motor all was fine again.
|
|
|
Post by connrock on Sept 3, 2014 9:04:24 GMT -5
Although it may well be the motor I don't think it would burn out in only 6 months time. You can check to see if the motor is the problem by looking at it when the barrel stops rotating on the rollers.If the motor is still turning at the same RPM's as it did before the barrel stopped ,it isn't the motor. You next check would be to see if the belt (O'Ring) is slipping between he motor pulley and the drive roller pulley.I think you'll have to remove the aluminum "motor cover" on a 45 C to do the following.Take the barrel off the rollers,turn on the motor and try to stop the "drive roller" by placing the barrel back on and pushing down on it.While pushing down on the barrel,look at the "roller pulley" and "motor pulley" to see if the belt is slipping,,,,While doing this take note to see if the "motor pulley" is still rotating and not spinning on the motor shaft.If the motor pulley is just spinning on the motor shaft,,there is a small "set screw" on the side of the pulley that can be tightened with a "hex wrench",,,or what is commonly know as an Allen Wrench,,,, Also check to see if the "roller pulley" is tight on the roller shaft. If all of the above checks out,,,, The rubber on the drive roller and or the barrel itself may have oil on them.If so,clean them with either alcohol or acetone to make sure you get all of the oil off. Lastly,,,,there may be a "glaze" that forms on the barrel and or the rollers.This glaze forms after time and can be removed by using 120 grit emery cloth to "scuff" them up and give them a rough surface. If all of the above fails to solve your problem the only thing left is the weight of the barrel.If the barrel doesn't have enough weight in it,it won't rotate properly. This is about the most complete trouble shooting "guide" I can give you and I hope it helps you to get rolling again. connrock
|
|
tkvancil
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since September 2011
Posts: 1,546
|
Post by tkvancil on Sept 3, 2014 9:37:29 GMT -5
What connrock said.
It is also fairly easy to over oil the bushings. I've done it. The oil can leach into the motor compartment and get onto the belt and drive pulley. A little alcohol will clean that up.
I have a 33b that used to go through belts very quickly. Worn out in 5 or 6 weeks. The top of the belt was always discolored and flat. I discovered that the bottom plate in the motor compartment was bent up into the compartment. Belt would drag on the plate get loose and wear out. Bent the plate down and out of the motor compartment and it has stopped wearing belts.
|
|
iamnoone
having dreams about rocks
If it's not shiny, it's not finished
Member since October 2013
Posts: 69
|
Post by iamnoone on Sept 3, 2014 10:37:48 GMT -5
Thanks for all your great advice! It has been running smoothly now for about 18 hours. I will keep this page for future use.
|
|
Tom
fully equipped rock polisher
My dad Tom suddenly passed away yesterday, Just wanted his "rock" family to know.
Member since January 2013
Posts: 1,557
|
Post by Tom on Sept 3, 2014 22:24:35 GMT -5
What did you discover the problem was? Grats getting it running again
|
|