31K47 - how does it 'walk'??

[Savvas]

Hi Friends,

I'm slowly renovating an old Singer 42-5 machine which has what I understand is called a 'kick' or 'jump' foot. It doesn't exactly 'walk' with 2 separate movements but the jump foot follows the feed backwards to maintain pressure.

A 31K47 has come up for sale locally and appears to be in good condition. Externally it looks like there's additional 'machinery' on the back that's distinct from my 42-5. Can anyone tell me if the 31K47 has a kick/jump foot arrangement like the machine I have at the moment? Or does it have something that approaches a true walking-foot movement? Anyone have experience sewing heavy canvas with the 31K45 - any good?

thanks, Sam.

[CowboyBob]

The 42-5 has a lifting cam that lifts the feet underneath the end cover,the 31K47 has a cam on the top shaft(and rod on back) that makes both feet lift as they walk.So yes the both are spring loaded walking aka hopping feet.They both need the feedog to pull the outside foot back.The feet don't interchange between this 2-models the 42 & 16 class use the same feet.

[Savvas]

Thanks for the explanation CB - so essentially it sounds like the 31K47 has a similar 'kick' action to the 42-5 but just achieved by a different mechanism.  Again, thanks for your help, Sam.