Bachmann Knuckle Couplers...........A Question

[Madman]

I've just received the Bachmann Prospector set. It includes a davenport and four side dump ore cars. The couplers operate very nicely. However, I wonder if anyone has any tips on their operation. In other words, can they be lubricated ? They seem to couple together most of the time, but there are times when it takes alittle more force. Any information on these will be helpful.

 

[KeithT]

I have numerous of these, they can be temperamental refusing to couple - make sure that the vertical pin has dropped when the knuckles engage, occasionally they will uncouple when running.
Despite this I find that they are generally reliable and it is also much easier to lift stock off the track compared to hook and loop.
If you have a sharp collision the single plastic 'spring' can jump out of its socket allowing the knuckle to flop from side to side, easily refitted.
I have never tried lubrication but I am tempted with one or two which show signs of oxidisation.

 

[Madman]

Thanks Keith. I also checked George Schreyer's site;
http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips3/coupler_tips.html

As I move more toward operation (shunting) I can see that knuckle couplers have certain advantages.

 

[Shawn]

That's all I use mainly because they are cheaper then anything else. I mount mine to the frames rather then the trucks. I also pop out that plastic piece/pin that holds the knuckle to the part that screws onto the trucks and replace with a nut and bolt. Over time that plastic piece will loosen causing the coupler to droop down and causing the knuckles to uncouple. The screw and nut stiffens the entire system. I almost never have issues with that fix.

 

[beavercreek]

For different consists I use Bachmann, Accucraft or Aristocraft knuckles. But sometimes I do 'mix and match'.

Always found Bachmann ones to be good and reliable. I do lubricate the couplers (and any screws, bearings, journals etc) each year as a lot of my Bachmann endowed rolling stock stays out in the elements all year round.

Bachmann link very well to Accucraft knuckles and a strong bond is made.

Bachmann CAN link to Aristocraft knuckles but they need to be 'shut' and then dropped into the 'shut' Aristo coupler. A strong bond is then made.

 

[KeithT]

Thanks Keith. I also checked George Schreyer's site;
http://www.girr.org/girr/tips/tips3/coupler_tips.html

As I move more toward operation (shunting) I can see that knuckle couplers have certain advantages.

George Schreyer? I should have remembered him he goes into such great detail!
Although, I have to say that despite the faults with Bachmann knuckles I haven't had such extensive problems as he reports. I find that there are one or two which give problems and I can usually match them with a more 'forgiving' coupling. Any that are a continuous problem I simply 'shut' and drop them into place. But, I will look for the problems that he identifies and see if I can resolve them. Also, I have some graphite which I shall be using.