Expert: David Morgan - 10/20/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi.
I have a Farmers Daughter clock, it keeps perfect time, cuckoos one the hour and 1/2 hour and the farmer japs the pitch fork. The problem Is the guy does not clime up the ladder and the daughters window don't open. I can't figure out which way the chan should be on the side where the lever is. Any help woud be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
KC

ANSWER:  Hi KC,How many clock weights are required to operate your clock ? While the man climbs up the ladder does music play,  I believe that there should be three weights, is that correct? If possible please send photo and I am sure That we can solve this problem  Good Luck David M

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QUESTION: The clock does have 3 weights and music does play when the guy goes up the ladder. Your help is greatly appreciated.
KC

ANSWER:  Hi KC, the way these clocks work is as follows;When the clock cuckoos the hour there is a lever that moves down and releases the music box and it is held in place until the cuckoo is finished and the music plays.It maybe the adjustment there or it is possible that the chain is not on the chain wheel or it might be the music box has a split worm gear drive wheel. Many of these had a plastic gear driving the music worm gear. If that gear is split there are replacement governors available. Wish I could look inside the back of the clock. You can remove the back and take a close up picture for me. Best of luck David M

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QUESTION: I am sending you a picture of the inside of the clock. The gear does not appear to be plastic. Where the guy climbe the ladder there is some sort of weighted gear there. The guy on the ladder moves up and down the ladder freely. I also took a picture of that but I don't know if I can send more than one picture. I circled in red the weighted what ever it's called so you could see it. This clock has a date of 11-71
Thank you so much,
KC

Answer
Good morning KC, Looking at the photo I see one thing that is very wrong.On the chain side there is a cam wheel attached to the chain wheel. If you turn it further you will see the cut out of the cam wheel. Now looking at the photo there is a blued heavy wire that is supposed to ride on the cam wheel.Something is not set correct because the blue wire is not even close to the cam wheel. In a normal setup this cam and wire that rides on the cam will operate the door that will open and the girl will appear. Nothing can happen unless the door opens and the girl appears. That allows the music to play and all other action to commence. Your clock is a fun clock to own and watch when in proper operation. Let me know any other information that can help get the clock doing what it is designed to do. Will the music play at all?  Best of luck David M