Rock-Ola 474 Gripper motor

[bjarnis]

Hi all

Bjørn from Denmark here

Im new to the forums so sorry in advance if there is already a post thread covering this ( could not find it ).

I need some help from you experts. I have gotten my hands on my first jukebox ever and i am in the proces of restoring it to its former glory. I actually have more or less everything working but i need a new gripper motor.

I have the rock ola 474 and the motor i removed is called 50311a. The motor is actually working fine but the worm gear and bearings are completely broken beyond repair.
I cant seem to find a complete 50311a online so i was wondering if any other motors would fit? Surelys they didnt produce seperate motors/gear for every model? :-)

Best regards

[jukenorman]

Hi Bjorn,
According to the 474 parts catalogue, 50298-A is the part number of the gripper motor. This motor was also used in a number of other models.
Norman.

[bjarnis]

Ok that is really good info. The motor has probably been replaced before then :-)

[Ron Rich]

Hi Bjorn,
See our FAQ's section for a list of book-parts suppliers-- Most likely Piet in the Netherlands, would have it in stock. I don't know of any source in Denmark-- Ron Rich

[bjarnis]

Quick question.

would a 52499-1A fit the rock-ola 474? i have found 1 for sale at a good price.
i am speaking with Piet in the Netherlands but he is currently unsure if he has something that fits.

[jukenorman]

Hi Bjorn,
I'm not sure about the fixings. There is a 50298-A on US ebay for comparison (lots of good pictures). Otherwise it would be OK.
Norman.

[bjarnis]

Thanks norman :-)

Im a bit of a noob så forgive me for askinng i a alot. I found the ebay listing for the 50298-A. It says "basket motor" and since im in the market for a gripper motor i just need to know if it matters/will it work :-)

\\Bjørn

[jukenorman]

Hi Bjorn,
I just think they have identified it wrongly. You can clearly see the 50298-A sticker on the motor which is the gripper motor according to the 474 parts catalogue. 50299-A is the magazine motor.
Norman.

[Ron Rich]

Hi Bjorn,
A basket motor, and a gripper motor are not the same--- The "basket motor" moves the "basket" which holds the records, while the "gripper motor" moves the "gripper arm", that plucks the records out of the basket. BTW-- an easy way to tell which is which, is to look for an "oil hole" on the casting-- Only the gripper motor will have one (and remember to fill it with 20 wt, oil !).
I realize English is a 2nd language to you-- you do very well, but watch out for the word "basket". If you see a "basket case" --motor, or anything, you must realize that "basket case" means it is all apart -- pieces in a wicker basket,and probably is "junk"-- LOL Ron Rich

[bjarnis]

Hi Ron

Thanks for the info. I actually managed to find exactly what is was looking for today. Even better the guy is in Holland so no tax or customs :-)
I will be sure to remember to refill with oil though the hole. The one i have that is broke is all gummed up because of the old oil/grease and thats probavbly why the teeth broke. But hey! i got the 474 for free and once i get the gripper motor installed and working i will have a more or less mint condition 474 with 160 singles in it and a manual, for the price of a gripper and 6 hours work. not too bad.

Is there anything else i should pay attention to in terms of maintainance? its been sitting idle for at least 10 years and i am unsure how its been maintained since its birth. I have cleaned and re-oiled the gripper mech and everything else seems to be running, although the selector-thing on the right is quite squeaky :-)

best regards
Bjørn
34 years old and fixing my first jukebox even though it probably wont be my last

[Ron Rich]

Hi Bjorn,
Glad you found one !-- I would open the gear box and at least inspect the grease-- If still "soft" spread it onto the gears-- If "hard",, you should remove ALL of it and replace it with fresh grease--- Ron Rich

[bjarnis]

Any of you guys know of the "squeaky" selector? is it an issue or were they always noisy? :-)

[jukenorman]

There's a lubrication guide posted in the stickies above - it includes the main bearing. Is that what's noisy?
Norman.