Americoin Junkyard - 1976
I was very fortunate to have an opportunity to buy this machine. Americoin only made a handful of game titles, and are very rare now. This was one of the best machines this company produced in my opinion. Junkyard was produced in 1976, and unlike other claw games, the object in Junkyard is based on your skill in operating the claw, and dropping cars in the hoppers. The more cars you drop in the hoppers, the more "tons" you score, but it all has to be done within a specified amount of time...extended play can be earned. This machine was not functioning when I bought it, only a couple of flashing lights. After diagnosing many electrical issues, including the repair of some of the wiring harness, fuse cradle, and an adjustable resistor, after which attention was needed on cleaning the gear drive motors in the machine. After the mechanics were sorted out, I had to clean the 8-Track tape player, which is used for sound in this game. The original tape was no good, and after researching, I found a place out of Canada that had some replacement parts I needed, and they also made reproduction 8-Tracks for this and other machines of the era, (see: www.flippers.com). I restored this game a couple years ago and had it fully functional. We had a lot of fun with this machine. Recently I fired up this machine and the crane lift motor stopped pulling the crane up. It seems to be slipping. I've been told some have had luck disassembling and cleaning these motors. I have not tried this. It looks like a similar gear drive motor that was used in many different kinds of machines from this era, including animation motors used in juke boxes. This is a true skill game that keeps you coming back for more.
We have decided to let this one leave our arcade. All features are working except the crane lift motor. I have uploaded a video which can be viewed below that show the major functions of this machine.
Machine has found a new home.
We have decided to let this one leave our arcade. All features are working except the crane lift motor. I have uploaded a video which can be viewed below that show the major functions of this machine.
Machine has found a new home.