Operating and setup instructions for mechanical cuckoo clocks
April 9, 2024
Blog
With every cuckoo clock you will receive detailed instructions on setup and maintenance. The cuckoo clocks have been packed carefully and have been secured in many ways in order to arrive undamaged in all parts of the world. Some of the transport safety preparations have to be removed before you can set up your new cuckoo clock.
Basically most cuckoo clocks with a mechanical movement / clockwork are setup in the same way/procedure. There are slight differences between cuckoo clocks with music and without music and also concerning night shut off and the style of the cuckoo clock (chalet cuckoo clock or carved cuckoo clock). Also between the different manufacturers there are small differences.
As basis we have taken the Anton Schneider cuckoo clock intructions.
1. Now as you have received your new cuckoo clock open the carton to see your wonderful new timepiece from the Black Forest in Germany.
2. Depending on what kind of cuckoo clock you have chosen (Chalet style cuckoo clock = A; or carved style/hunters style cuckoo clock = B) your cuckoo clock needs a slightly different setup.
3. The cuckoo clock carton contains the clock, top carvings and any other top attachments such as antlers and deer. The pendulum and the weights (music clocks have 3 weights and clocks without music have 2 weights) are also in the carton. Sometimes the weights are not in the same box to prevent shipping damages. Please inspect the shipping box if it seems that the weights of your cuckoo clock are missing.
4. Carefully remove the cuckoo clock from the carton by holding the clock frame. Do not pull the figurines or any other decoratice attachement.
Now as you have unpacked your cuckoo clock there are several things to do in order to make your clock work.
1. Open the tatches on the back panel.
2. Remove the back panel of the cuckoo clock.
3. Now, pull out the wire clamps that are securing the two bellows.
Do not bend any of the wire connections. This might cause damage to the clockwork.
4. Remove the cardboard under the strike gong of the cuckoo clock.
5. Check if the extension of the pedulum is going through the slot in the case of the cuckoo clock.
6. Put the back panel back on and close the latches.
Congratulations you have done most of the necessary things to make your cuckoo clock work.
7. If you have purchased a carved cuckoo clock / hunters style cuckoo clock then fix the deer head on the attachment and mount it onto the front of the roof of the carved cuckoo clock.
8. You will most likely already have chosen a place for your new cuckoo clock. Please note that a cuckoo clock, because of the chains, needs to hang 1,8 -2,0 meters (6-7 feet) above the floor. This height is necessary to give maximum extension to the chains. Use a strong srew with a plug and fix it with a small angle into the wall. Position it far enough from the wall to secure the cuckoo clock properly. Make sure the clock is hanging 100% horizontally, straight and flush on the wall to make sure the pendulum is not touching the case. The cuckoo clock must be in a perpendicular way. There are certain places in the house which are not appropriate for cuckoo clocks. Please see the last paragraph for more information.
9. Turn the door latch so it is clear of the cuckoo door.
The next steps are a little more difficult. Please pay greatest attention that the cuckoo clock is not turned upside down during the next steps once you have removed the reteining wires.
10. Unwrap the chain retaining wire at the bottom of the cuckoo clock and let the chains fall toward the floor. Remove any knots from the chains and pull out the retaining wire totally.
11. Hang the pendulum onto the wire loop (11 a). and hang the weights onto the weight hooks.
12. Start the clock by pulling the pendulum to one side and then releasing it to swing. Adjust the clock on the wall to achieve an even tick tock. To achieve an even tick tock move the case carefully from side to side (ie level horizontally) until it has an even sound.
Very important: do not turn the cuckoo clock upside down at any time after removing the retaining wire!
Here come the last few steps.
13. The clock is set to 12 o’clock noon. For setting the correct time turn the minute hand (long hand) slowly forward or backwards until the hour and minute hand show the correct time. Never turn the hour hand!
14. If the clock is not keeping good time then this can be corrected by moving the pendulum bob up to make the cuckoo clock run faster or down in order to make it run slower. Some cuckoo clocks have an adjusting screw instead which moves the bob up and down. Moving the bob has approximately the following effect: + or – 2 mm = + or – 10 Min. a day.
15. Now you can fully wind up your clock. If you have a 1-day clock, pull each chain down slowly to raise the weight. When winding up an 8-day clock support the weight with your hand while pulling up. Always pull the chains, never the weights of your cuckoo clock. Pulling the weights can result in severe damage to the pulleys.
If you have purchased a cuckoo clock with manual or automatic night shut off for strike, cuckoo call and music then you will find the operation lever on the left side of the cuckoo clock or below the clock case.
Cuckoo clocks with manual night shut off have 2 options. Position I is off and position III is on.
Cuckoo clocks with automatic night shut off have 3 options. Position I is permanently on, Position 2 is automatic night shut off from 09:00 PM till 08:00 AM and Position 3 is permanently off.
We wish you a wonderful time with your new Original Black Forest cuckoo clock for many years to come. Cuckoo clocks do not need much regular care. The modern movements are sophisticated, easy to maintain and durable. For cleaning the clock please use a soft dry paint brush. Please have the movement checked and oiled at regular intervals by a clockmaker nearby to gain a maximum life span. To avoid reducing the lifetime of your cuckoo clock please only use the clock in standard room temperatures. Temperatures below 5° C (40° F), high humidity of the surrounding air, much dust or dampness may damage your cuckoo clock. Also please do not hang the cuckoo clock above a heater or above a fire place as the very dry and warm air might distort the wooden parts and the oil in the bearings of the clock movement might run “dry”. Please also note that some 8 day clocks will run inaccurate if the are placed close to draft air (window etc.).
Basically most cuckoo clocks with a mechanical movement / clockwork are setup in the same way/procedure. There are slight differences between cuckoo clocks with music and without music and also concerning night shut off and the style of the cuckoo clock (chalet cuckoo clock or carved cuckoo clock). Also between the different manufacturers there are small differences.
As basis we have taken the Anton Schneider cuckoo clock intructions.
1. Now as you have received your new cuckoo clock open the carton to see your wonderful new timepiece from the Black Forest in Germany.
2. Depending on what kind of cuckoo clock you have chosen (Chalet style cuckoo clock = A; or carved style/hunters style cuckoo clock = B) your cuckoo clock needs a slightly different setup.
3. The cuckoo clock carton contains the clock, top carvings and any other top attachments such as antlers and deer. The pendulum and the weights (music clocks have 3 weights and clocks without music have 2 weights) are also in the carton. Sometimes the weights are not in the same box to prevent shipping damages. Please inspect the shipping box if it seems that the weights of your cuckoo clock are missing.
4. Carefully remove the cuckoo clock from the carton by holding the clock frame. Do not pull the figurines or any other decoratice attachement.
Now as you have unpacked your cuckoo clock there are several things to do in order to make your clock work.
1. Open the tatches on the back panel.
2. Remove the back panel of the cuckoo clock.
3. Now, pull out the wire clamps that are securing the two bellows.
Do not bend any of the wire connections. This might cause damage to the clockwork.
4. Remove the cardboard under the strike gong of the cuckoo clock.
5. Check if the extension of the pedulum is going through the slot in the case of the cuckoo clock.
6. Put the back panel back on and close the latches.
Congratulations you have done most of the necessary things to make your cuckoo clock work.
7. If you have purchased a carved cuckoo clock / hunters style cuckoo clock then fix the deer head on the attachment and mount it onto the front of the roof of the carved cuckoo clock.
8. You will most likely already have chosen a place for your new cuckoo clock. Please note that a cuckoo clock, because of the chains, needs to hang 1,8 -2,0 meters (6-7 feet) above the floor. This height is necessary to give maximum extension to the chains. Use a strong srew with a plug and fix it with a small angle into the wall. Position it far enough from the wall to secure the cuckoo clock properly. Make sure the clock is hanging 100% horizontally, straight and flush on the wall to make sure the pendulum is not touching the case. The cuckoo clock must be in a perpendicular way. There are certain places in the house which are not appropriate for cuckoo clocks. Please see the last paragraph for more information.
9. Turn the door latch so it is clear of the cuckoo door.
The next steps are a little more difficult. Please pay greatest attention that the cuckoo clock is not turned upside down during the next steps once you have removed the reteining wires.
10. Unwrap the chain retaining wire at the bottom of the cuckoo clock and let the chains fall toward the floor. Remove any knots from the chains and pull out the retaining wire totally.
11. Hang the pendulum onto the wire loop (11 a). and hang the weights onto the weight hooks.
12. Start the clock by pulling the pendulum to one side and then releasing it to swing. Adjust the clock on the wall to achieve an even tick tock. To achieve an even tick tock move the case carefully from side to side (ie level horizontally) until it has an even sound.
Very important: do not turn the cuckoo clock upside down at any time after removing the retaining wire!
Here come the last few steps.
13. The clock is set to 12 o’clock noon. For setting the correct time turn the minute hand (long hand) slowly forward or backwards until the hour and minute hand show the correct time. Never turn the hour hand!
14. If the clock is not keeping good time then this can be corrected by moving the pendulum bob up to make the cuckoo clock run faster or down in order to make it run slower. Some cuckoo clocks have an adjusting screw instead which moves the bob up and down. Moving the bob has approximately the following effect: + or – 2 mm = + or – 10 Min. a day.
15. Now you can fully wind up your clock. If you have a 1-day clock, pull each chain down slowly to raise the weight. When winding up an 8-day clock support the weight with your hand while pulling up. Always pull the chains, never the weights of your cuckoo clock. Pulling the weights can result in severe damage to the pulleys.
If you have purchased a cuckoo clock with manual or automatic night shut off for strike, cuckoo call and music then you will find the operation lever on the left side of the cuckoo clock or below the clock case.
Cuckoo clocks with manual night shut off have 2 options. Position I is off and position III is on.
Cuckoo clocks with automatic night shut off have 3 options. Position I is permanently on, Position 2 is automatic night shut off from 09:00 PM till 08:00 AM and Position 3 is permanently off.
We wish you a wonderful time with your new Original Black Forest cuckoo clock for many years to come. Cuckoo clocks do not need much regular care. The modern movements are sophisticated, easy to maintain and durable. For cleaning the clock please use a soft dry paint brush. Please have the movement checked and oiled at regular intervals by a clockmaker nearby to gain a maximum life span. To avoid reducing the lifetime of your cuckoo clock please only use the clock in standard room temperatures. Temperatures below 5° C (40° F), high humidity of the surrounding air, much dust or dampness may damage your cuckoo clock. Also please do not hang the cuckoo clock above a heater or above a fire place as the very dry and warm air might distort the wooden parts and the oil in the bearings of the clock movement might run “dry”. Please also note that some 8 day clocks will run inaccurate if the are placed close to draft air (window etc.).
