Adjusting Take-Up Levers

Take-up levers should be aligned evenly when the needle is in the up position and the machine is stopped. If one take-up lever is sitting lower than the others, or if the machine makes a grinding noise when changing colors, the take-up lever alignment may need to be adjusted.

The silver knob helps align the active needle’s take-up lever with the arm that moves it up and down. To inspect the levers, open or flip down the front needle case cover and compare the position of each take-up lever.

Signs the Take-Up Levers May Need Adjustment

• One lever sits lower than the others when the machine is stopped
• The machine makes a grinding noise during color changes
• The levers do not move smoothly along the rail
• A take-up lever appears damaged, chipped, or misaligned

How to Adjust the Take-Up Levers

Before making adjustments, confirm that the machine is stopped with the needle in the up position and the handwheel is set to the correct position, usually 100 degrees depending on the machine model.

Remove the necessary covers to access the adjustment screw. Loosen the screw slightly, align the take-up levers so they are even, and then retighten the screw securely.

After adjustment, test the machine by selecting each needle position and confirming that the levers change smoothly without grinding or binding.

Additional Inspection

If the adjustment does not correct the issue, inspect the take-up lever arms for damage. A chipped or broken lever arm can prevent smooth movement and may need to be replaced.

Take your time during disassembly and keep parts organized in the order they were removed. If you are unsure about the adjustment or notice damaged components, contact a qualified technician before continuing operation.