(Topic ID: 186559)

Escalera Maintenance Tips

By mbelofsky

7 years ago



Topic Stats

You

Linked Games

No games have been linked to this topic.

    Topic Gallery

    View topic image gallery

    IMG_7627 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7625 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7624 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7623 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7622 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7621 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7618 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7614 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7613 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7612 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7611 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7610 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7609 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7608 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7607 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7606 (resized).jpg

    You're currently viewing posts by Pinsider mbelofsky.
    Click here to go back to viewing the entire thread.

    #1 7 years ago

    Back in late 2004 when I decided to start buying, selling, and repairing pinballs, I realized I needed a way to move them mostly by myself safely. I was one of the first people to talk to Escelara about using this for pinballs. I was lucky enough to find a 1,200 lb version on eBay. (This was before they had all the cool attachments they now have.)

    The first thing I did when I got it, and do so every few years, is tighten up all the acorn bolts around the frame to ensure it is secure.

    During the last year, the Escelara was not moving off the end of my truck correctly. In hindsight, I should have realized the rubber wheels (they call them Lifting Feet) were wearing down and I was not making the gap that I needed to. I just purchased a set of 4 1200# Lifting Feet (with hardware) for about $40 plus postage. This was part # 715HD. Yours may be different based on your model.

    Below I show the pictures of replacing these lifting feet.

    The 3 main points to note are:
    1. The middle washer placement. I use a magnet to remove the old washer. I carefully put in the new washer and align. Then squeeze the assembly together as I place the new rubber and bolt through.
    2. The bolts come through from the outside. The nuts are on the inside. (the bolt and nut are both 9/16" on my model.)
    3. Check the pin that holds the assembly to the belt. Two of mine (both on the right side) were out of the left hand side of the belt. This could explain why I had a small wobble in the machine when going up the stairs lately. The second pin was easy to push back in. The first pin was a pain. I ended up taking it out and starting it from the inside.

    Hope this explanation and pictures help.

    Based on the wear on my small wheels, I will probably order a new set.

    If you have any repair or maintenance tips, please provide.

    This (with the big wheels and steps for my Dodge Ram), and my truck are probably the two most important tools I have purchased for this hobby.

    Thanks
    Michael

    IMG_7487 (resized).jpgIMG_7487 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7488 (resized).jpgIMG_7488 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7489 (resized).jpgIMG_7489 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7491 (resized).jpgIMG_7491 (resized).jpg

    Note the pin is not centered in the lower portion of this lifting foot.

    IMG_7495 (resized).jpgIMG_7495 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7499 (resized).jpgIMG_7499 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7500 (resized).jpgIMG_7500 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7501 (resized).jpgIMG_7501 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7502 (resized).jpgIMG_7502 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7503 (resized).jpgIMG_7503 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7504 (resized).jpgIMG_7504 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7505 (resized).jpgIMG_7505 (resized).jpg

    Once I completed the first set of two lifting legs, I moved the belt to expose the second set of lifting feet. You can see the major problem with the right foot.

    IMG_7506 (resized).jpgIMG_7506 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7507 (resized).jpgIMG_7507 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7508 (resized).jpgIMG_7508 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7509 (resized).jpgIMG_7509 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7510 (resized).jpgIMG_7510 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7511 (resized).jpgIMG_7511 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7513 (resized).jpgIMG_7513 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7514 (resized).jpgIMG_7514 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7515 (resized).jpgIMG_7515 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7516 (resized).jpgIMG_7516 (resized).jpg

    2 weeks later
    #3 6 years ago

    I received the new small wheels and the gliders. I will describe the installation below. The instructions are not really clear. I'm glad I only have to do this every 12 years or so.
    IMG_7567 (resized).jpgIMG_7567 (resized).jpg
    I bought two gliders, two wheels, and the pins for the lifting feet as I described in the previous post in case I need them.
    IMG_7568 (resized).jpgIMG_7568 (resized).jpg
    The instructions, to me at least, were not clear. It took a long time to figure out what to do. It didn't help that the sizes mentioned in the instructions did not match the sizes provided.
    IMG_7569 (resized).jpgIMG_7569 (resized).jpg
    The first thing the instructions stated to do was disconnect the battery and remove it.
    IMG_7570 (resized).jpgIMG_7570 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7571 (resized).jpgIMG_7571 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7573 (resized).jpgIMG_7573 (resized).jpg
    I am not sure this step needed to be done but I removed the plate with a philips screw driver. I don't think you would need to do this.
    IMG_7574 (resized).jpgIMG_7574 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7575 (resized).jpgIMG_7575 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7576 (resized).jpgIMG_7576 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7577 (resized).jpgIMG_7577 (resized).jpg
    The instructions state to take the two top bolts off the left and right side. You can see the top left bolt I am about to remove and the two on the right. The bolt is 7/16".
    IMG_7578 (resized).jpgIMG_7578 (resized).jpg
    Remove the two on the right.
    IMG_7579 (resized).jpgIMG_7579 (resized).jpg
    This shows the two bolts removed on the left.
    IMG_7580 (resized).jpgIMG_7580 (resized).jpg
    This shows the two bolts removed on the right.
    IMG_7581 (resized).jpgIMG_7581 (resized).jpg
    The next step is to loosen the wheels enough for the bolt to allow the bottom part of the gear assembly to be removed. I use a 15/16" nut driver and a locking wrench to remove the inside nut and move the bolt out.
    IMG_7582 (resized).jpgIMG_7582 (resized).jpg
    Nut removed.
    IMG_7583 (resized).jpgIMG_7583 (resized).jpg
    Bolt moved to the left on the left.
    IMG_7584 (resized).jpgIMG_7584 (resized).jpg
    You can see the bolt is no longer holding the assembly in place on the left.
    IMG_7585 (resized).jpgIMG_7585 (resized).jpg
    I guess this has better light.
    IMG_7586 (resized).jpgIMG_7586 (resized).jpg
    Repeat the process on the right side.
    IMG_7587 (resized).jpgIMG_7587 (resized).jpg
    The gear assembly can be moved to the side.
    IMG_7588 (resized).jpgIMG_7588 (resized).jpg
    We can now gain access to the nuts holding the left glider in place. The nut and the bolt are 9/16"
    IMG_7589 (resized).jpgIMG_7589 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7590 (resized).jpgIMG_7590 (resized).jpg
    This shows removing the wheel using a 15/16" nut driver. (Which is getting ahead to just show the size.)
    IMG_7591 (resized).jpgIMG_7591 (resized).jpg
    Use two 9/16" nut drivers to remove the bolt and nut.
    IMG_7592 (resized).jpgIMG_7592 (resized).jpg
    The two spacers fell out but they are actually flush with the frame.
    IMG_7593 (resized).jpgIMG_7593 (resized).jpg
    Showing the position the spacers should be in.
    IMG_7596 (resized).jpgIMG_7596 (resized).jpg
    The two black spacers go towards the frame with no writing. The flat part is parallel with the frame. The writing is on the side where the nuts will go.
    IMG_7597 (resized).jpgIMG_7597 (resized).jpg
    Bolts placed in.
    IMG_7598 (resized).jpgIMG_7598 (resized).jpg
    Bolts through the two spacers. The one towards the top of the frame has two holes.
    IMG_7599 (resized).jpgIMG_7599 (resized).jpg
    I actually pull the bolts out so the ends are flush with the spacer. Then I carefully put in the glider with the two black spacers in position. Then I bolt it in as shown.
    IMG_7600 (resized).jpgIMG_7600 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7601 (resized).jpgIMG_7601 (resized).jpg
    Repeat process on the right side.
    IMG_7602 (resized).jpgIMG_7602 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7603 (resized).jpgIMG_7603 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7604 (resized).jpgIMG_7604 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7606 (resized).jpgIMG_7606 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7607 (resized).jpgIMG_7607 (resized).jpg
    Wheels go on next.
    IMG_7608 (resized).jpgIMG_7608 (resized).jpg
    Bolt comes all the way out.
    IMG_7609 (resized).jpgIMG_7609 (resized).jpg
    Note the 3 spacers and the dirt. The spacers go towards the inside on both wheels.
    IMG_7610 (resized).jpgIMG_7610 (resized).jpg
    Old and new wheel.
    IMG_7611 (resized).jpgIMG_7611 (resized).jpg
    Cleaned wheel area (also cleaned the rest after this picture was taken).
    IMG_7612 (resized).jpgIMG_7612 (resized).jpg
    I used a long clamp to hold the 3 spacers together. On the right side, I could not get the clamp to work so I used a small piece of tape to hold the three spacers together.
    IMG_7613 (resized).jpgIMG_7613 (resized).jpg
    I put the 3 spacers in place and push through the bolt.
    IMG_7614 (resized).jpgIMG_7614 (resized).jpg
    I added the first nut as shown. I only put the bolt in enough to be flush with the metal since we still have to put the gear assembly back.
    IMG_7618 (resized).jpgIMG_7618 (resized).jpg
    Take out the wheel on the right and clean the area.
    IMG_7621 (resized).jpgIMG_7621 (resized).jpg
    Right wheel in and bolt flush.
    IMG_7622 (resized).jpgIMG_7622 (resized).jpg
    Left wheel in and bolt flush.
    IMG_7623 (resized).jpgIMG_7623 (resized).jpg
    Line up gear assembly then push through the bolts.
    IMG_7624 (resized).jpgIMG_7624 (resized).jpg
    IMG_7625 (resized).jpgIMG_7625 (resized).jpg
    Screw in the bolts and add the inside bolt. I had to do some adjustments to get the wheel straight and the bolt all the way in from the outside playing with the two inside nuts. I put the 4 bolts back at the top (two on each side) and the 4 phillips screws back on the plate.
    IMG_7627 (resized).jpgIMG_7627 (resized).jpg

    Added over 7 years ago: The last caption should have read "screw in the bolts and add the inside NUT."

    This attaches the wheel bolt all the way through to the lower gear assembly. When I said I needed to make adjustments, I had to loosen the side nut to allow the bolt head to get closer to the wheel without bending the metal. It is just like adjusting switches. Very subjective.

    You're currently viewing posts by Pinsider mbelofsky.
    Click here to go back to viewing the entire thread.

    Reply

    Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.

    Hey there! Welcome to Pinside!

    Donate to Pinside

    Great to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!


    This page was printed from https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/escalera-maintenance-tips?tu=mbelofsky and we tried optimising it for printing. Some page elements may have been deliberately hidden.

    Scan the QR code on the left to jump to the URL this document was printed from.