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MMD > Archives > December 1996 > 1996.12.07 > 03Prev  Next


Re: Tracker Bar Pump
By Terry Smythe

I have an original tracker bar pump in its original box, apparently manufactured by the Kleernote company for Ampico.  The documentation is on the outside of the box, including an exploded view of the pump. (If someone is interested I'll arrange to have a scanned image posted somewhere.)  The label on the box ends states:

>        TRACKER
>        CLEANER
>
> The AMPICO CORPORATION
>        New York
>         London
>
>     Made in U.S.A.

One side of the box has printed on it:

> DESCRIPTION AND DIRECTIONS
>
> Description of drawing of pump on top of this box:
>
> 1 - Rubber Nozzle; 2 - Dust Cap, holds dirt until removed by emptying;
> 3 - Dust Screen, prevents dirt from entering pump mechanism; 4 - Valve
> Cap; 5 - Leather Valve; 6 - Piston Rod; 7 - Tube enclosing valve parts;
> 8 - Rear Cap; 9 - Handle for operating pump.
>
> Directions for using pump:
>
> Apply rubber nozzle (1) over the holes of the tracker bar, making sure
> that its concave face fits perfectly the convex face of the tracker bar.
> Hold it securely in this position with slight pressure.  Draw the piston
> rapidly two or three times and then pass on to the next opening in the
> tracker bar, and proceed in the same manner until all the openings have
> been pumped out.
>
> To remove accumulated dirt from the pump, unscrew cap (2) and remove
> dirt.  Replace dust screen (3) in valve cap (4) and replace cap (2).
> The pump is then ready for use again.
>
> Apply Vaseline sparingly occasionally on the edges of leather valve (5)
> by unscrewing cap (8) and withdrawing the piston holding leather valve.

 The other side of the box has printed on it:

> SOMETHING EVERY AMPICO OWNER SHOULD KNOW
>
> The commonest source of trouble and disorder in the action of a
> Reproducing piano is the accumulation of dust and lint from the
> atmosphere, sucked into the action while the instrument is playing.
> These troubles and disorders may be entirely avoided by pumping out the
> tracker bar as directed on the other side of this box.  If this pump is
> conscientiously used once in two weeks you will experience no troubles
> from the accumulation of dust and dirt in the action of your instrument.

Terry Smythe         smythe@mts.net
55 Rowand Avenue     smythe@freenet.mb.ca
Winnipeg, MB, Canada  R3J 2N6  (204) 832-3982 (voice/fax)
http://www.winnipeg.freenet.mb.ca/~smythe

(Message sent Sun 8 Dec 1996, 05:10:46 GMT, from time zone GMT-0500.)

Key Words in Subject:  Bar, Pump, Tracker

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