@AmFlyer posted:Before assuming the worst, look at PortLines Repair Clinic #12. There is a Link to Carl Tuveson's tear down of the MTH coal loader. It appears the most likely failure item is the drive belt. The Lionel version also uses a similar drive belt; replacements are available from PortLines. It may be worth a disassembly to check.
That’s a good point, I am only guessing that the Lionel coal loader is a gear driven gearbox and never really thought about it being belt driven. Does anyone know if it is a gear or belt driven unit?
I have a LIonel oil drum loader which is belt driven and this stopped working. I found that because of it not being used for a long time the belt at the small pulley had set itself to a ‘U’ shape so that it wouldn’t move. I resorted to taking the belt off and immersing it in hot water and working out the kink in the belt to be straight again. After that it was fine and worked OK.
I guess the moral of the belt story is not to leave these accessories doing nothing for a long time. Use them or lose them.
