How to get the Paterson Auto Washer to work properly?

Hi all,

The metal bullet supposed to rock the paper holder isn't doing its jobb. Well, occasionally it is, but mostly its stuck in chamber the vent is attached to (I can hear it in there). Ive tried changing the water pressure but it isn't really helping.

Any advise?

Cheers
Peter

Also - the rack keeps floating up.

If it's like mine, the mechanical part got a bit gummed up with deposits from evaporating water (calcium, lime, whatever is in the water here) and I had to rinse it off with vinegar. It works best at the minimum amount of water pressure to get it moving. Too much and it gets stuck.

Are you talking about the 8x10 or 11x14 model? On my 8x10 I worked on the float problem with two changes. First, I put a piece of 8x10 frame glass in the middle position of the rack and set to the edge by the drain hole end. This weighted the rack down, but the print paper would then float out of the rack. So, I put a length of soft copper wire between the end metal lift pieces to hold the lift pieces down preventing the prints from floating up. The wire is sort of a pain to take on and off but works fine. I've found that making sure the outlet suction is working first (you can hear it) helps with keeping the rocking going. I lift the outlet hose up above the washer and then down to get it going. I usually need to give the rocking a push to start it. It still stops after a time and needs to be restarted. I'm on a well so my water pressure may be varying more than some people. Still haven't got it to run continuously for 45 minutes.

Thanks guys. Mine is the 10x12 model. This was the first time I've used it so there shouldn't be any deposits from the water in it. Adjusting the pressure while it is in use is slightly annoying cause that also adjusts the temperature (it isn't supposed to but it does). Thanks for tips though and advise though, I'll try them next time