Your claw machine's gantry keeps moving and won't stop. The motor runs continuously with no response. Before you call a technician or order replacement parts, watch this first.
A customer in Europe — who has owned their Hiclawcrane claw machine for over 7 years — encountered exactly this problem and fixed it themselves in minutes. Watch the full troubleshooting process here:
What Caused the Problem
The gantry (the moving rail system that carries the claw) relies on a micro switch to know when to stop. When the gantry reaches its end position, the micro switch makes contact with a pre-installed brake pad inside the cabinet — this signals the motor to stop.
In this case, the brake pad had shifted out of position. The micro switch could no longer reach it, so the motor received no stop signal and kept running continuously.
The fix: Reposition the brake pad so the micro switch makes proper contact again. The gantry immediately returned to normal operation.
Step-by-Step Fix
- Power off the machine before opening the cabinet
- Locate the brake pad — it's pre-installed inside the cabinet at the gantry's end position
- Check the micro switch position — move the gantry manually to the end position and see if the micro switch tip is contacting the brake pad
- Adjust the brake pad — reposition it so the micro switch makes clean, firm contact when the gantry reaches the end
- Power on and test — the gantry should now stop correctly at the end position
Why This Happens
Brake pads can shift over time due to:
- Vibration from normal machine operation
- Movement during transport or relocation
- Gradual loosening of mounting hardware
This is a normal maintenance issue, not a sign of machine failure. A machine that's been running for 7 years will occasionally need minor adjustments like this.
What This Tells You About Machine Longevity
The machine in this video is over 7 years old and was shipped to Europe. It still operates normally after a simple brake pad adjustment that took minutes. No replacement parts, no technician, no downtime.
This is why we design Hiclawcrane machines with accessible, adjustable components — so operators anywhere in the world can perform routine maintenance themselves.
Keep Spare Parts On Hand
For most gantry issues, no parts replacement is needed — just adjustment. But if your micro switch is worn or damaged, it's one of the most common parts to keep in stock.
For more maintenance guides, visit our Knowledge Center.
FAQ
Q: Why does my claw machine gantry keep moving and not stop?
A: The most common cause is the micro switch not making contact with the brake pad. The brake pad may have shifted out of position. Reposition it so the micro switch contacts it cleanly when the gantry reaches its end position.
Q: Do I need a technician to fix this?
A: No. This is a simple mechanical adjustment that most operators can perform themselves in minutes, as shown in the video above.
Q: How do I prevent this from happening again?
A: Check the brake pad position during your regular maintenance visits. Ensure the mounting hardware is tight and the pad hasn't shifted.
Q: My micro switch is damaged, not just misaligned. What should I do?
A: Replace the micro switch. Hiclawcrane stocks arcade spare parts including micro switches and other gantry components.