Issue with Linotype Model 31 – Need Advice

[Knagsted]

Hello everyone 

I'm having a problem with my Linotype Model 31, which is part of my workshop in France alongside a Menta M3.

I can no longer shift it into magazine position 1. The magazine carrier (magazine shifter) does not engage or lock into position when I try to select #1. The other magazine positions function normally.

Here are the details:

The machine has 4 magazines installed.
Positions 2, 3, and 4 engage correctly.
When attempting to shift into position 1, the carrier does not lock in place.
There is no obvious obstruction visible from the front.
The issue appeared recently; the machine was previously operating normally.

So far, I have:
Checked for mechanical obstruction around the magazine rails.
Inspected the locking mechanism visually.
Verified that the magazines themselves are properly seated.

I'm wondering if this could be related to:
A worn or damaged locking pawl?
An issue with the shifting cam or linkage?
A misalignment in the carrier rail?
A broken or weak spring in the locking mechanism?

Has anyone experienced a similar issue with a 4-magazine Model 31? Any advice on where to inspect more closely would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much for your help and sorry for my English ! 

Best regards,

Florian Desroches
Toulouse, France

[Dave Hughes]

Hi @Knagsted and welcome to the Forum.

Please do not worry about your written English. It is excellent, if you hadn't mentioned English wasn't your first language I wouldn't have noticed.

Unfortunately I am unable to help with your problem but I have included your post in the latest site newsletter - so hopefully someone else will be able to assist.

[Terry Foster]

WE had a similar problem with one of our Model 31's at our museum. John Nicholson traced it back to (Refer to LInotype Principles book, pp 356-347 - pink book). The block part 28 was becoming seized.

We took it off, cleaned and lubricated it and replaced and it all goes well.

Sometimes you will get an issue when you have changed magazines within the stack and the new magazine's weight has affected the spring balance. Hope this helps.

[Mechanic]

The magazine frames sit on a device known as the cannon. Each side of the cannon are spring loaded adjustable drums. These drums are adjusted to match the number of magazines you have on the machine. The drums have holes around the circumference to adjust the spring tension. You adjust the drum by inserting a bar in the hole. There is a lock pin that holds the drum in place. If there is too much tension on the drum it could cause the problem you have.