Antares combo jamming on bottom cans?

If you've ever had problems with the bottom 3 selections of an Antares drink vending machine where the cans are turning and jamming, here is some insight.

Now this applies to the selections that are slightly wider than the can only columns:
- the bottom 3 selections on 1994 - 2004 models
- the bottom right selection on 2005+ models

These columns are slightly wider in order to handle items such as 10oz juice bottles, some energy drinks, & other beverages that will fit.

One of our employees was loading an Antares the other day and had a problem with the cans on these wider columns turning while rolling down. They would stall in the middle of the column or slide to the very bottom and block the auger from being able to turn. Since these columns are wider, they allow the cans have enough room to rotate and block the lane.

There were 2 issues here.
- the small metal shim was missing
- he was not loading the cans properly

In order to properly direct the cans through the auger at the bottom of the column, a metal shim is needed to go on the right side wall inside the column by the auger.
This keeps the cans in place to the left side and it also blocks the ability of someone being able to twist the can past the right side of the auger since the can has enough room to rotate in the column and come out without turning the auger.

Secondly, he did not realize that in order to keep the cans rolling evenly down the columns, it is best to put the end of the can SQUARELY against the left hand column wall before letting go so that the can may roll as straight as possible being guided by the wall.

So, if you've ever had this problem, get some shims!

We sometimes have them available pre-owned at www.USEDvending.com or they can be ordered directly from the manufacturer.

Update to changes on 2005 model Antares Machines

On my post a few down, I forgot to list another feature that was incorporated into the 2005+ design of the Antares Refeshment Centers vending machine combos.

The bottom right selection can vend 12 oz cans, but it is slightly wider in order to accept things like Red Bull cans. It can probably also still do the 10 oz juice bottles, but I haven't tried one.

We'll be putting a video on the blog very soon showing the new style Antares snack & soda combos both inside and out. If you're not sure how they work or how they are serviced, be sure to watch this video.