Ukaflyer, taking it apart is interesting. The first stumbling block I had was how to take the panel, through which the string goes, off the side of the building. The 4 vertical bent tabs are easily straightened using a small screw driver and pointed plyers. To straighten the 2 horizontal tabs, once the 4 verticals are straight, you can rotate the panel up which will straighten the 2 horizontals.
With the building off, the rest is pretty easy. 6 screws hold the 2 side brackets to the platform. There are 2 E-rings and a screw to be taken off the side bracket. There are also 4 screws holding the gear housing to the side brackets. The 3 plastic tabs holding the gear housing together are a bit of a challenge but once opened you are there. I would recommend labeling the red and black wires on the motor because they will probably break off at the motor while taking everything apart. I had read that it could and of course, it did.
I used a 28mm x 33mm x 2.5mm O-ring to replace the traction tire ‘belt’. 28mm is just shy of 1-1/8” so it seemed just right. 2.5mm is like 3/32” which is what the groove in the motor pulley is. A 1/8” O-ring would ride on the edges of the pulley which might cause extra ware and might make a 1-1/8” O-ring too tight.
Going back together is almost fun. However I am ‘missing’ a slot in one of the gear axles that the E-ring would slide into. I know that’s impossible, but I can’t find a way to hold the ‘string spooling axle’ in place. I don’t think a part is missing because it would be too large for the E-ring to fit over – I did snap (break) the E-ring trying to get it onto the axle – the axle is too big for the ring so there must be a slot… but it’s not there.
I am perplexed and have no answer. My only hope is someone will take a look at theirs and tell me what I’m missing. My fallback is I might try to thread the end of the axle so I can secure a nut to it.
Help needed in Maine,
Tom Stoltz
