"Tim Wescott" wrote in message
...

There's not that much to break in a small 3-phase induction motor. I'm
with
the OP that there's something in your gearbox -- but if dismounting the
motor will not only verify it's operation but also let you dink with the
gearbox to find a problem, that's not a bad thing.


Well, it's the motor, thank goodness. I ran it on its own and it did the
same thing. Years of over filling the thing with grease turned the excess
into a substance that while it looks like caramel, is much stickier and much
more gluttonous. I pulled the motor apart and this crap is everywhere. It
was so stiff I couldn't turn the shaft of the motor with my hand alone, and
when I pushed the start button it took a couple of seconds for the shaft to
move at all. Amazing. I found a local guy to test it and rebuild it with
sealed bearings.

The gearbox feels great - tight and smooth.

Thanks for your help,

Peter