Lubrication

[bob kaplan]

Is it advisable to remove the cover plate and put a drop of light oil on the motor shaft that exits the housing of the motor in the trucks of the climax, shay and heisler?....or will this lead to problems such as clogging,etc.   Thanks for the input.

[Loco Bill Canelos]

Bob,  should be ok unless you are running outside in dusty conditions.  Bill

[jviss]

Bill, kinda surprised by that response.  Also, the post Bob, are you saying "is it O.K. to lubricate the motor bearings?"  I would say, yes, that it's not only "O.K.," but that it's necessary for long life and proper operation.  The thing that Bill may be getting at is that one source of trouble, in addition to too little lubrication, is too much oil.  Oil all over will pick up dirt, and that can lead to problems. 

My view is that the slightest amount of quality machine oil, i.e., not detergent motor oil, ever, is best.  If you could get 1/2 a drop of oil onto the shaft so that it runs into the bearing and leaves a film of oil on the mating surfaces of the shaft and bearing, that's perfect!  Wipe off the extra right away. 

[Loco Bill Canelos]

JVISS,
I don't understand why you would be surprised. I meant exactly what I said it should be OK to put a ''drop" under the cover.  Be sure to use plastic compatible oil.  Many types of machine oil are not plastic compatible so beware and read the label to make sure.   If sand or dust cling to the oil it will cause trouble.  After many years of outdoor railroading it never ceases to amaze how dust and dirt get to moving parts even with just a drop of oil   The Bachmann line of lubricants are the safest and guaranteed plastic compatible.  If operating in dusty conditions it may be necessary to clean surfaces and re lube after a time, periodic checks can't hurt. 

[Hunt]

Large scale 1:20.3 Lubrication - Click on the following to view Bachmann video.

Click Here    38 Ton Shay

Click Here    Climax

Click Here    Heisler

[jviss]

Bill, with all due respect, while you say "I said it should be OK to put a ''drop" under the cover," you said no such thing.  You said "should be ok unless you are running outside in dusty conditions" in response to "s it advisable to remove the cover plate and put a drop of light oil on the motor shaft that exits the housing of the motor?"

 

[Old John]

jviss

Bob Caplan's original question was

"Is it advisable to remove the cover plate and put a drop of light oil on the motor shaft that exits the housing of the motor in the trucks of the climax, shay and heisler?....or will this lead to problems such as clogging,etc."

Bill was responding to the "drop of light oil" as was originally asked.

[charon]

 c'mon jviss, get with the program

[bob kaplan]

Thanks for the responses...
   and to cause a bit more "discussion".....the climax and heisler video's show the removal of the cover plate and the lubing of the motor shaft....to me the shay's trucks and motor look very similar.   Why would it not be advisable to remove the cover plate and oil those shay motors/trucks.   I do realize that the shay was the first of the geared engines released....thousands of years ago....perhaps things have changes a bit?

[jviss]

Sorry, I was just in a particularly nerdy mood.

[Joe Zullo]

Sorry, I was just in a particularly nerdy mood.

[jviss]

Hey Joe, can't see what you posted - "failed to open page."