| Anyone who is going to operate a gutter machine | | | | a gutter machine. This can result from: |
| must first read and understand the manual provided by | | | | •Incorrect adjustment of the entrance guides |
| the machine manufacturer. The first reason is the | | | | •Incorrect adjustment of the stations |
| safety of the operator—the manual will guide you on | | | | Be sure that necessary adjustments are performed |
| safe practices that will help you avoid personal injury. | | | | by someone who has been properly trained in how to |
| The second reason is to properly operate the machine | | | | adjust the machine. When it is verified that the gutter |
| so it will produce hi-quality gutter and avoid damage to | | | | sample meets the job requirements, proceed with the |
| the machine. A seamless gutter machine typically | | | | production of the necessary pieces of gutter. The |
| produces about 30 feet of gutter per minute. It usually | | | | operator should learn what the machine sounds like |
| only needs to be operated a few minutes per day to | | | | when running properly and make a practice of listening |
| produce the gutter required for that day’s work. In | | | | to the machine when running gutter. If the machine |
| most cases the gutter machine will have been | | | | begins making unusual sounds it probably means |
| transported to the worksite with a coil of material on | | | | something is wrong and needs to be cleaned, |
| the machine and then run through the machine. | | | | lubricated, adjusted, or repaired. |
| Remove the cover tarp from the machine, if present. | | | | Changing Spools |
| Verify that the coil of material in the machine is correct | | | | If it is necessary to change the material to be run (for |
| for the job to be run. | | | | instance, because of paint color requirements): |
| Obtain an electric extension cord of the necessary | | | | •Make sure the loading area is clean and free of |
| length and appropriate size (based on the line cord | | | | debris. |
| length and load) to reach electric power. Verify that | | | | •Cut the existing material between the spool and |
| the power circuit has adequate capacity. Connect | | | | the entrance guide system. |
| the power cord through a ground fault detector, if | | | | •Install the spool retaining pin. |
| possible. If connecting directly to a generator, verify | | | | •Run the end piece of material out of the |
| that the generator capacity is sufficient to run the | | | | machine. Discard this piece. |
| gutter machine. The operator should not wear any | | | | •If the alternate material coil is already on another |
| loose-fitting clothing, jewelry, etc., which could be | | | | spool on the spool rack, remove its spool retaining ring |
| caught in moving parts of the machine. Safety | | | | and proceed with threading, as below, according to the |
| goggles and gloves are highly recommended. Because | | | | operation manual. |
| of the danger of electric shock, and the possibility of | | | | •If the coil must be removed and a new coil loaded |
| damage to the machine, it is recommended that the | | | | on to the machine, follow the instructions of the |
| gutter machine never be operated when rain or snow | | | | operating manual. |
| can fall onto the machine unless the machine is | | | | A COIL OF MATERIAL IS EXTREMELY HEAVY. |
| mounted inside an enclosed trailer or truck. | | | | USE APPROPRIATE LIFTING EQUIPMENT AND |
| Before starting operation, the operator should: | | | | ASSISTANCE, AS REQUIRED. |
| •Visually check the electrical components and wiring | | | | •Pull the end of the coil off the spool. Cut both of |
| to assure there are no signs of any heat discoloration | | | | the leading corners of the material at 45° angles, |
| or damage. | | | | approximately 3 inches in from the corner. Insert the |
| •Be sure all safety covers on the gutter machine | | | | trimmed edges of the material into the entrance guides |
| are closed and secured in place to prevent dirt, dust, | | | | and push forward to the first drive rollers. Jog the |
| and foreign objects from entering the machine. | | | | material through the machine. Stop at each station to |
| •Remove the spool retaining pin from the spool of | | | | verify that the material is feeding properly and running |
| coil that is threaded through the machine. | | | | smoothly through the rollers. If any problems occur, |
| •Verify that the Forward/Reverse switch is in the | | | | reverse the material a short distance, determine the |
| Forward position. | | | | problem, and clear the obstruction. |
| •Position run out stands at 8- to 10-foot intervals to | | | | •Jog the material until the end has passed the |
| support the gutter that will come out of the machine. | | | | shear. |
| •Lubricate the blade of the shear with the lubricant | | | | •If any problems developed, after they have been |
| recommended in the operation manual. DO NOT use | | | | corrected, run the distorted material out of the |
| WD-40 on the shear blade or the machine unless | | | | machine, cut it off, and discard. |
| specifically recommended by the operation manual. | | | | •Close and secure all safety and access covers |
| Start the machine and run out enough gutter to clear | | | | before proceeding to produce gutter. |
| all material that was in the machine path during | | | | When the required gutter has been produced, turn off |
| transport. Cut off and discard. This step is only | | | | the machine, disconnect it from the electric power |
| necessary for machines that have a steel rolled drive | | | | circuit, and reinstall the spool retaining pin. If this is the |
| system (Knudson, Panther, Watertite). Free | | | | last run before transporting the machine to a new site, |
| floating polyurethane drive roll systems do not require | | | | confirm that material is threaded through the entire |
| coil in the machine for transport (Ironman, New Tech). | | | | machine to protect the rollers from roller-to-roller |
| Run about seven to ten feet of gutter through the | | | | impact damage. (This does not apply for New Tech |
| machine as a check sample. Stop the machine and | | | | Machinery and KWM Ironman units which can be |
| cut off the piece. Inspect the gutter carefully for: | | | | safely transported without coil material between the |
| •Proper shape. | | | | rollers.) Cover the machine with a tarp or gutter |
| •Paint damage (peeling, flaking, scratches, etc.). | | | | machine cover to protect it from external debris and |
| •Surface imperfections from the rollers. | | | | weather. DO NOT DUMP OLD GUTTER OR |
| •Any other irregularities. | | | | DOWNSPOUTS FROM A CUSTOMER’S |
| If any problems are detected, diagnose the cause and | | | | LOCATION INSIDE THE TRUCK OR TRAILER WITH |
| make corrections before proceeding. If adjustments | | | | THE GUTTER MACHINE. DIRT, LEAVES, AND |
| are required, shut off the machine and disconnect the | | | | OTHER DEBRIS MAY GET ON OR IN THE |
| power line. Incorrect alignment of material in the | | | | GUTTER MACHINE AND CAUSE DAMAGE. |
| machine is the most common cause of problems with | | | | |