WmHorus Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 I had an odd occurrence happen yesterday, I havent run my LG in a couple months and went to start it up yesterday and everything 'seemed' to be running correctly. I stepped on the arm to engage the hammer and nothing happened. I stepped harder it did nothing, Finally I started rocking the flywheel and eventually it engaged and started working properly. Could it have been the cold or something bigger? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dimenickel Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 had similar trouble with my 50lbs mechanical... i was using 80/90 weight oil on the guides and it was waxed up... lighter oil worked fine in the cold and its started hitting hard (its -12 cel here ) -clutch maybe a little loose aswell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajajoaquin Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 To understand your Root cause, will you share with us Length of ownership? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WmHorus Posted December 20, 2011 Author Share Posted December 20, 2011 I've only owned it a couple years if that now, and its not used on a daily basis I only use it when I an forge welding or prepping billets no idea how it was used by the guy before me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajajoaquin Posted December 20, 2011 Share Posted December 20, 2011 I mostly wanted to reply to Stewart's limerick with a haiku. But I did have a serious point: If you have had this hammer through at least one other winter, did you have a similar problem last year? Is the thickened lubricant adding to another issue, or just an issue in and of itself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WmHorus Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 no this wasnt a problem last winter and I ran it the same way , infrequently. So it makes me wonder if its the start of a fresh issue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ironsmyter Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Have you oiled the clutches lately? Also, as the weather gets colder, the clutch blocks shrink, they most likely have worn some since last winter, the wear along with the shrinkage could have been just enough for them not to engage properly until the friction you created while trying to use the hammer caused them to heat up, swell and then engage.. I would start with oiling them first if you havent recently.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peacock Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 What type of clutch lining do you have ? If it's worn and the shop is cold that could be your problem. If the shop is really cold I lube mine first with WD40. Run the hammer just enough to get it turning then lube with 20 wt. oil. The clutch gets ATF after the WD40. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob S Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 I have heat in my shop. Every couple years the wood blocks in the clutch dry out and shrink a bit. I loosen the blocks a little and slide in shims cut from a coke can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Miller Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Wash/clean out the old grease with a solvent and oil it up. If that does not work then look at potential clutch issues most likely its a little bit of both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWooldridge Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 A buddy of mine has a 50 lb LG with center clutch that is used infrequently and he had the same type of problem. This hammer had run quite well when installed so I was surprised he was having issues. I drove down to his shop in south Texas for a look and found the hammer in VERY dry condition. I oiled every bearing point, clutch blocks, etc. until the old girl was slobbering all over the place and it resumed its former good behavior. This fellow has a concrete floor and likes to keep oil spots to a minimum so he was adding a drop now and then but it just wasn't enough lube. I told him to oil it like I did and throw down kitty litter on the floor...he's had no problems since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swedefiddle Posted December 21, 2011 Share Posted December 21, 2011 Good Morning, The Sleeping Giant is Lonely and Cold. Wake her up slowly, let her bones warm up slowly before asking her to "Kick Ass". Treat it with some more use (LOVE). Remember, it is best for you to warm your body up, before doing some REAL WORK. Machinery is the same. Merry Almost, Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WmHorus Posted December 21, 2011 Author Share Posted December 21, 2011 Thanks for the advice guys, I am thinking of running a torch lightly around the clutch assembly to warm it up next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Hanson Posted December 22, 2011 Share Posted December 22, 2011 Fred K. used to say "put more oil on it" ... Aside from that, Little Giants need adjusting here and there on a regular bases. Heated shop helps a lot. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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