I have 2 Big Haulers (early 1993-1994 era) that both have the problem of the front pilot wheels breaking free of their mount. One of them I tried a modification using strip brass to mount the pilot wheels on and it works OK…not great. The other just came into my possession. I am thinking of sending them in…it looks like for $55 each, they will repair or replace. Has anyone used this service? Thoughts?
Im not sure $110 is worth it for 2 Big Haulers
Thanks
Im not sure $110 is worth it for 2 Big Haulers
Sounds like a lot, when you can pick up a used one for $50.
George Schreyer’s “Technical Tips” pages have a lot of info about the various Big Haulers. He suggests using a brass strip to mount the pilot truck instead of the spring and bolt. http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips1/big_hauler_tips.html
I personally don’t use his method of improving tracking (by adding weights.) If you look at the above photo, there are 2 little plugs holding the metal pickup strips in place between the 2 axles - one has an arrow on it to remind you which end is the front. If you take them out (pop them out with a screwdriver) the whole truck gets loose and stays on the track. Don’t forget to mark which end is the front and do insulate the 2 strips with some electrical tape down the middle.
The weights worked very well for me, one over each axle, approx 1 ounce each.
It’s not worth it, even if they do indeed fix it and don’t break anything else.
If you search the forum you can find lots of horror stories about their service department. I’d only send it in if I could not do the repair myself or it was a very expensive part that needed replacing.
Greg
Bob,
Check the parts dept.
they had the complete chassis on sale for $50.00, You could up grade both for what it would cost you to send them in for repair.
Chuck
Chuck Cole said:
Bob,
Check the parts dept.
they had the complete chassis on sale for $50.00, You could up grade both for what it would cost you to send them in for repair.
Chuck
Hmmm . . the complete chassis are $45 this week.
The pilot truck itself is available and cost less than the repair process: $21. Except they are sold out - as usual.
Barry’s Big Trains might have some.
Thanks for the input. I tried the repair pictured above and it didnt work out to well. Maybe I will try it again.
I see two pilot assemblies in this picture:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/LS_4-6-0_Metal_Gears.frame_&_wheels.pdf
Anyone know the difference?
Greg
Greg Elmassian said:
I see two pilot assemblies in this picture:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/LS_4-6-0_Metal_Gears.frame_&_wheels.pdf
Anyone know the difference?
Greg
Spoked and solid wheels???
Spoked wheels versus solid wheels?
Now that I open my eyes!
Thanks guys!
Greg
The real difference appears to be a plastic plug inserted into the wheel covering the spokes to modernize them. Both wheel sets have perforated backs …
John
John, I believe you… where did you see the plug? In real life, or on an exploded diagram.
Just curious (and it makes sense).
Greg
On the exploded diagram, no sense perforating the backs of the solid wheels if they are solid, so whether or not it’s removable, is for another day.
It’s thoroughly based on their cheesy drawing, which may or may not be accurate.
My use of “appears to be” leans towards supposition.
John