Vendo 81D--gate levers getting stuck

[KennyG]

Thanks.  I will get them zinc plated.
Do you know what the material is of that long bar that runs in the channel under the links? Should I zinc plate that as well or is it stainless?
Thanks for saving my ass on this. (oops can I say ass here?)

[MoonDawg]

        It's steel too. Since these parts will never be seen you may just want to spray a little paint on them now.

[KennyG]

Thanks.
What about the channel the parts ride in? Is that steel also or is it stainless steel?

[MoonDawg]

      In 81's some are steel, others are stainless. If you're not sure.....see if a magnet sticks to it.

[Slapshot42]

I had similar issues and a new spring and some cleaning of all the moving parts did the trick.

[KennyG]

Thanks to everyone!  I have the vending mechanism working!
1) I greased the sides of the channel with White lithium grease
2) shortened the master link spring and
3) released some tension on the lock slide spring

Thanks Again!

[jgastonl]

I have this same problem.  Can this problem be fixed without taking the stack out? I really don't feel like unloading the machine and dismantling.  It gets stuck when pulling out a drink, the gate won't pop back down.  However, inserting another coin (mine is set on 25c) will pop the gate back in place.  It's just annoying when my wife yells that she can't get a drink and I have to get up to get one for her.  But it does show me that she has been messing with the machine because I make sure the gate pops back down after I get a coke.