Floor Clocks - Cable Operated Weight Driven Floor Clocks

Following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions related to "Cable Operated" "Weight Driven" "Floor Clocks"

What if my clock chimes a few minutes before or after the hour?

If the clock chimes more than one minute before or after the proper time, the minute hand should be removed and adjusted.  For complete details, please refer to page 10 of the Floor Clock Instruction Manual or page 3 in the Wall and Mantel Clock Instruction Manual.  Copies of these manuals can be down loaded from our web site for your convenience.

How do I reset the time for daylight savings?

When setting the clock back one hour, rotate the minute hand counterclockwise one-hour. When setting the clock ahead one hour, rotate the minute hand clockwise one-hour. When moving the hands forward, it is important to allow the clock to chime every quarter hour (1/4, ½, ¾, 1) before advancing the hands to the next quarter hour position. . DO NOT MOVE THE HANDS WHILE THE CLOCK IS CHIMING OR STRIKING.

Where is the closest Authorized Service Center in my area?

A list of Service Centers in your area is available under CUSTOMER SUPPORT on the Howard Miller web site.

What if my mechanical clock does not strike the correct hour?

If the clock is new, allow it to operate for several hours before making any adjustments. If the strike is off, grasp the HOUR HAND ONLY and rotate it forward or backward to line up with the correct hour on the dial indicated by the number of times the hour strikes. Rotating this hand independently will not harm the movement. Then adjust the hands to the correct time by rotating the minute hand counter-clockwise – as explained in the instructions. DO NOT MOVE THE HANDS WHILE THE CLOCK IS CHIMING OR STRIKING. After a few hours, the movement’s self-adjusting feature will synchronize the hands with the correct chime and strike.

What if the chimes or strike on my weight driven floor clock seem exceptionally fast or slow?

This can be caused if the weights are not hung in their proper position. The proper position of each weight as you are facing your clock is labeled on the bottom of each weight.

What if my mechanical clock is in the “night off” position and it is silent during the day instead of the night?

Rotate the minute hand counterclockwise twelve hours. DO NOT MOVE THE HANDS WHILE THE CLOCK IS CHIMING OR STRIKING.

What if my clock chimes have the incorrect tone?

The chime tone may be affected by the hammer resting on the chime rod (coil) or striking the rod (coil) off center. Although the hammers were set at the factory, it is possible for the hammers to get out of adjustment.
Chime hammer arms are made of brass and can be bent safely. This is accomplished by bending the hammer arms slightly in the middle so that the hammers rest approximately 1/8 inch from the chime rod. DO NOT bend the chime rod. Strike volume cannot be adjusted.

Can I increase or decrease the chime volume in my mechanical clock?

No. Volume is not adjustable.

What if a chime rod is broken?

Contact a local service center or Howard Miller for a replacement rod.

What if my floor clock runs fast or slow?

Changing the speed of time keeping is accomplished by moving the pendulum disk up or down.  This is done by turning the adjustment nut at the bottom of the pendulum. 

To slow the clock down, lower the disk by turning the adjustment nut to the left. 

To speed the clock up, move the pendulum disk up by turning the adjust net to the right.

The adjustment nut should be turned one complete revolution for each half minute fast or slow per day (24 hours).  Let the clock run 24 hours after each adjustment and make additional adjustments as needed.

What if my mechanical clock operated fine for several years but now is slow or stopping?

It is likely that your clock movement needs maintenance. Contact an authorized Howard Miller Service Center.  Service Centers are located under "Customer Support" on the Howard Miller web site.  Cleaning and oiling are not covered under warranty.

What if my pendulum hangs crooked?

Pendulums can get twisted in shipping or by handling. Howard Miller suggests wearing cotton gloves or using a soft non-abrasive cloth when handling the pendulum. To straighten the pendulum, first remove it from the clock. With one hand, hold the pendulum below the top strap. With the other hand, grasp the pendulum bob. Gently twist the pendulum in the direction necessary to eliminate the twist.

What if my pendulum hits the weights?

The pendulum may hit the weights if it is twisted or if the clock is not level.

Pendulums can get twisted in shipping or by handling. Howard Miller suggests wearing cotton gloves or using a soft non-abrasive cloth when handling the pendulum. To straighten the pendulum, first remove it from the clock. With one hand, hold the pendulum below the top strap. With the other hand, grasp the pendulum bob. Gently twist the pendulum in the direction necessary to eliminate the twist.

To level the clock, use the adjustable levers under the corners to adjust for uneven floors or carpets.

What if the hands are bent?

The clock hands are easily bent. Carefully bend them back to the correct position.

How do I wind my clock?

Floor Clocks with Cables and Pulleys – Weights that are suspended by cables with pulleys should be raised by using the crank provided. DO NOT lift the weights by hand while cranking. Insert the crank into the holes located in the dial face. It does not matter in what order the clock weights wound. All weights need to be wound to the up position.

Floor Clocks with Chains – Pull straight down on the chains. DO NOT lift up on the weights as this could cause the weight to come unhooked from the chain. Pull down on the loose end of the chain until the weight is approximately 2 inches from the bottom of the wood movement mounting board. It does not matter in what order the clock weights wound. All weights need to be wound to the up position.

Wall and Mantel Clocks – Insert the winding key into the holes located in the dial face. Depending upon the model of your clock, there can be 1, 2, or 3 winding keyholes. Turn the key clockwise until the spring becomes tight and will not turn further. For clocks with hanging weights, raise the weights using the crank. DO NOT lift the weights by hand while cranking. Wind your clock once a week. It does not matter in what order the clock weights wound. All springs must be fully wound.

What if the weights do not drop at the same rate?

This is normal if the automatic nighttime shut-off feature or the "silent" mode is selected.  If either of these features is selected, the center weight will drop at a faster rate than the other weights.

What if the top of my dial is tilted back and the hammers are not properly aligned with the chime rods?

This is often an indication that the clock has been dropped on its back during freight from the factory to you. Often, this type of “concealed damage” is not visible from the outside of the carton. Inspect for other possible damage. Notify the freight carrier and dealer in writing immediately and request a carrier inspection and damage report. Failure to notify the freight carrier within 14 days of product receipt by the original consignee may waive your rights to a damage claim. It is possible that significant damage did not occur and components only shifted as a result of being dropped. In most cases, this problem can be easily corrected by the dealer or Service Center.

Where are the key, crank, and weights located in the floor clock carton?

The key, crank, and weights are all packed in a white styrofoam carton under the clock.

What is meant by “triple chime”?

Triple chime refers to clocks that play a choice of three different melodies. The most common triple chime melodies are Westminster, St. Michaels, and Whittington.

What is the function of the moon dial?

For models with a working moon dial, the moon dial tracks the lunar month and the cycle of the full moon. Details for how to set the moon dial to the correct date are located on page 6 in the instruction manual.

Other models have a stationary moon dial that are strictly ornamental and do not track the lunar month.

How often should my mechanical clock movement be oiled and cleaned?

It is recommended that your mechanical clock movement be oiled every two years from the date of purchase and thoroughly cleaned every five to ten years depending upon climatic conditions. Extremely dry, humid or salty air, hot or cold may necessitate more frequent servicing. Howard Miller does not recommend that you service your clock yourself. Contact an authorized Howard Miller Service Center as found at this internet site. Cleaning and oiling are not covered under warranty.

What if my mechanical floor clock will not opera

1. Ensure that all of the packing material has been removed.
2. If the clock is a pendulum type, ensure that the spring clip or rubber band has been removed from the back of the movement.
3. Try re-starting your clock. For pendulum clocks, it is important to give the pendulum a full swing.
4. Is the pendulum hitting the weights? If so, check the stability and level of the clock.
5. Do the hands operate without interference? Do not let the hour hand hit the second hand. If the second hand is rubbing the dial, pull it out slightly. If the hour hand is rubbing against the back of the minute hand, the hour hand should be pushed closer to the dial.
6. Did you check the suspension spring? If it is not hanging straight down, loosen the thumbscrew and straighten the suspension spring. Retighten the thumbscrew.
7. Ensure that the verge pin is properly located in the slots of the pendulum guide.
8. For weight driven clocks, make certain that the weights are in their proper location. The proper position of the weights as you are facing your clock is labeled on the bottom of each weight.
9. Ensure that the clock is wound or the weights are up.
10. If your clock has a moving moon, ensure that the moon is not caught on the click spring. Reference the instructions for further details and illustrations.
11. If your clock is a cable driven clock and was previously run or the white Styrofoam blocks were removed from the cable pulleys, it is possible that the cables were wound up without weights left on the pulley. As a result, the cable(s) have overlapped on the drum(s). Check each cable on each drum to see if it is overlapped. If so, attempt to correct the cables so that they are not overlapped. If you cannot correct the cable, contact the dealer or retailer where you purchased the clock. Correcting this problem is not covered under warranty.

What if my mechanical clock will not chime or strike?

1. Check that the strike on/off lever in not in the “strike off” position or halfway between positions.
2. Check that the movement is not in the “night off” position.
3. Be sure that all the packing material is removed from the movement area. You should be able to carefully pull each hammer back away from the rod approximately one inch.
4. Check the hammer adjustment to be sure that the hammers are properly aligned with the gong rods.
5. For weight driven clocks, make certain that the weights are in their proper location. The proper position of the weights as you are facing your clock is labeled on the bottom of each weight.
6. If your clock is a cable driven clock and was previously run, it is possible that the cables were not wound up with the weights left on the pulley. When this happens, the cables overlap on the drum. Check the cables on the drums to see if they are overlapped. If so, contact the dealer or retailer where you purchased the clock. Correcting this problem is not covered under warranty.

How should I prepare my floor clock to be moved?

1. For clocks with a cable driven movement, wind the weights all the way up. For clocks with chains, use a long wire or string and put it through the chain links just below the chain sprocket. When done properly, the wire or string should go through six chain links. Secure the wire or string to prevent the chains from coming loose from the sprocket.
2. Carefully stop the pendulum from swinging.
3. Remove the weights. NEVER wind the clock without the weights installed. For clocks with chains, secure the chains so that they do not damage the finish.
4. Remove the pendulum
5. For tubular movements, remove the tubes
6. Keep the clock in an upright position while carefully moving it to its new location.
7. Set the clock up per the original set-up instructions. Ensure that the pulleys are properly located on the cables and the chains are properly located on the sprockets.

What should I expect when my floor clock is professionally set-up?

1. Treat your home the same way they would treat their own.
2. Be knowledgeable and courteous.
3. Completely set-up the clock following the set-up instructions in the order in which they are detailed in the instructions manual.
4. Ensure that the clock is level and stable.
5. Ensure that the clock runs continuously for a minimum of 10-minutes.
6. Ensure that the clock strikes the correct hour.
7. Ensure that the chime is correct and the hammers are properly positioned.
8. Ensure that the pendulum swings properly.
9. Ensure that the moon dial is properly set.
10. Ensure that you have all the parts.
11. Review the instruction manual with you.

How do you recommend that I clean and maintain my clock?

1. Wax and polish your cabinet as frequently as you would other fine furniture. Use a good furniture polish or past wax. Apply the polish to a soft cloth – do not spray or apply directly to the case. Do not use a silicone-based product.
2. Use extreme caution when cleaning the glass. Use a quality liquid non-ammonia glass cleaner. Apply the glass cleaner to a soft cloth – do not spray or apply directly to the glass.
3. It is recommended that your clock movement be oiled every two years from the date of purchase and thoroughly cleaned every five to ten years depending upon climatic conditions. Extremely dry, humid or salty air, hot or cold may necessitate more frequent servicing. Howard Miller does not recommend that you service your clock movement yourself. Contact an authorized Howard Miller Service Center. Cleaning and oiling are not covered under warranty.