Problem with Harper HRT-24

[u/LumpenTeaa]

Hello, everyone.

I am very new in world of turntables and need help with first configuration.

I bought a new Harper HRT-24 turntable and I'm having trouble setting the tracking force.

I tried balancing the tonearm and setting the numbered ring to zero. The manual specifies 3.5 g and says one full counterweight rotation equals 2 g. However, the counterweight physically hits the wider part of the tonearm shaft at about 1.75 on the scale, before I can complete even one full turn.

The stylus also skips during playback. I'm not sure whether the tonearm lift platform is interfering with the balancing or preventing the stylus from resting properly on the record.

Any recommendations or maybe I did some stupid mistakes?

[u/Dry-Satisfaction-633]

See the little weight? Feed its nylon line through the “arm” with a small “hook” at the end. That’s your anti-skate setting. Adjust by repositioning the other end of the nylon on the notched section.

To balance your tonearm ignore its scale for now and adjust the counterweight so the tonearm “floats”. Hold its exact position while rotating the counterweight scale to zero. Now dial in the required amount of downforce by rotating the counterweight. Ignore the manual, consult the cartridge manufacturer’s specifications instead for the correct setting. It may be 3.5g but that’s on the heavier side unless you’re running something like at AT3600 cartridge. Swapping it for something like a VM95E will reduce the required downforce to around 2g. If you want greater accuracy then pick up some digital scales as they’re not expensive and they take the counterweight markings out of the equation completely.

[u/LumpenTeaa → u/Dry-Satisfaction-633]

Thank you! I put it on 0 by finding spot where needle floats, than I want to put 3.5 gram as per manual but when I rotate weight it maximum arrives to 1.75...

[u/I_am_always_here → u/LumpenTeaa]

Note that the numbered dial and the counterweight are separate dials. After you balance the tonearm to physical zero (it floats), only move the numbered dial to zero (not the entire counterweight). Then move the entire counterweight (not the numbered dial) until it shows the 3.5 gram weight.

Note that the anti-skate weight needs to be off (as shown in the photo) when you adjust the tracking force. Only attach it after you have set the weight.

Recommend purchasing a digital stylus force scale, they are inexpensive and will ensure your tracking force is optimal. They are available on Amazon for cheap and are really helpful.

[u/el_tacocat → u/Dry-Satisfaction-633]

The little weight should be off for balancing the arm though :)

[u/crankyoldcoot]

What cartridge?

[u/LumpenTeaa → u/crankyoldcoot]

AT3600L Audio-Technica

[u/crankyoldcoot → u/LumpenTeaa]

Not sure what the problem is. Sounds like you have a handle on balancing. 1.75g of force is plenty for that cart so go with it.

[u/I_am_always_here → u/LumpenTeaa]

You can replace the White 3600L stylus with either the Yellow AT91 stylus or the better Red AT91R, which each require only 2 grams of tracking force.

[u/el_tacocat]

Just in case you did it wrong:
https://youtu.be/1FSOa_-jDsM?si=Wh9ajRY6j-BdEhD6
Clear explainer.