Greyhound Skill Crane Help

[LPZ]

Picked up a skill crane as a bulk deal and here is the story.  It is an older crane with 2 directional buttons.  After it coins up, the buttons light up, and you have a choice to move forward, then right.  I can move the crane forward.  Next, when I move the crane right, the crane just moves all the way over and stops and never drops.  I can hit a switch on the trolley mechanism and the crane will drop, grab, retract, and return home.  It just doesn't seem like we can control the right movement.  We troubleshot the switch and it seems fine. 

I couldn't find any schematics for the machine on line.  I found similar ones, but that didn't help.  The machine we have is very similar, if not identical to an early greyhound one.  I am hoping to get a video up tomorrow so somebody like Ken Layton could tell me what's wrong.  My brother is betting on the logic board.  I am betting on a switch/wiring. 

I just want to fix this machine, have the kids enjoy it, sit back, open a brewski, and admire my work!

Thanks for all you help

LPZ

[Kevin Mullins]

What are the board numbers on your Greyhound?
Does it have two boards, like a power board and also a separate logic board?
Does it have a two digit LED display?

Sorry so many questions, been awhile since I've had to mess with mine.
And I do have some technical information on some of the older ones, just have to dig it out.

[LPZ]

Just one logic board.   No led displays for time, etc.  This is why I think it's an early one.  I'll have to double check, but I think  I didn't see any numbers on the board.  I'll get some pics soon too.

LPZ

[Kevin Mullins]

Next, when I move the crane right, the crane just moves all the way over and stops and never drops.   

So you actually have to hit the "right" button before it will take off going right?
(it doesn't just randomly go on it's own)

I can hit a switch on the trolley mechanism and the crane will drop, grab, retract, and return home.

Which switch ?
Could be a stop or limit switch.
Might just need some adjusting if that's all that's causing it to not realize that the trolley has stopped moving in order to start the drop sequence.

[LPZ]

Yes, I hit the control panel right switch and the crane will move all the way to the end and stop.  It will not drop.  That's when I hit the switch that operates the drop and the crane will drop, grab, and retract.  I really have to get some pics for you.  The trolley won't stop if you hit the switch quickly either.  I also triggered the switch by jumping it out and same behavior.

[sarge]

If it is a greyhound, once it goes all the way to the right it should activate a switch in the mechanism and return to the left as long as the player is holding the left/right button down (same for the up/down button).  When you release the left/right button the claw should drop.  What switch are you hitting that activates the drop?

[LPZ]

When you release the left/right button the claw should drop.  What switch are you hitting that activates the drop?

That's the problem.  When the right switch is released, the trolley still continues all the way to the right.  The trolley just stops at the end without completing the cycle.  It doesn't drop or time out.   

The forward switch works fine. 

[Kevin Mullins]

It doesn't drop or time out.   

The forward switch works fine. 

Does it drop or time out if you ONLY go forward?

I'm used to mine which actually has a drop button or it will time out and drop if you don't push the button.

Sounds almost like a relay possibly sticking if it just continues going right even when the button is released. Could be a logic board issue too though.
Nab some pics of your boardset and trolley if you can.
And point out the switch you mentioned that would make it drop. ( I assume up in the trolley area)