LGB 21260 Side rod loco

Madman

Madman

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Does anyone own one of these? The Catipillar type diesel with three axles. If so, do you lubricate the side rods where they connect to the counter weights. The reason I ask is that the fellow I bought it from said that was the reason he was selling it. He had replaced the side rods and a counter weight or two one too many times.
 
Madman said:
Does anyone own one of these? The Catipillar type diesel with three axles. If so, do you lubricate the side rods where they connect to the counter weights. The reason I ask is that the fellow I bought it from said that was the reason he was selling it. He had replaced the side rods and a counter weight or two one too many times.
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I own a 23620 which after looking at my LGB catalogue appears to be the same loco but with a Santa Fe colour scheme and I have never lubricated the side rod /counter weight joint in the five years I have had it..

The side rods are a loose fit onto the counter attachment point with the centre one being oval in shape to allow the rotation.

The attachment points appear to be similar to some of my steam locos.

A drop of lubricating oil probably wouldn't hurt but the instruction that came with the loco did not mention lubricating anything.
 
Yeah, got one of those in black ATSF, 23260.

It's a moving part, so yes I lubricate mine at that point just like any other bearing - but very sparingly and with appropriate light plastic-compatible grease. In a dusty/dirty outdoor environment too much grease could be as bad as too little, as PaulRhb has said.
 
don, while only have the 2 axel versions
I have read that the 3 axel version are indeed prone the very issue of rod breakage at the middle axel.

my thought, clean and lube. Obviously this can only help.
be meticulous about twigs and other stuff getting into the rods
I had the same issue with my 2085 rod breaking once due to a twig

both locos have an 'idle' middle axel, ie the axel rolls along and therefore stays in sync with the powered axels.

so, my guess would be not to overload, not to have excessive grades and anything else that might cause slippage, as once this happens the rod is taking real pressure, forcing the middle axel to rotate in sync via the rod instead of merely rolling along.
or, replace with a home made metal rod......those counter weight things are an issue too and I don't know how available they are-had the same with my Forney due to a spill, suffice it to say no counterweight and things become a complicated fix
 
Steve, I was able to get a new set of rods and counter weights, along with the proper screws from Train-Li, http://www.trainli.com over here. Two rods, six counter weights and screws, less than $30.00 !! I had originally made my own side rods from aluminum before I found that new rods were available. At one point, early in my ownership of the loco, I removed the center set of wheels and was running it as an 0-4-0 wheel arrangement.
 
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