Vinten Pro-Ped Manual

Vinten
Camera Control Solutions
Operators Guide
Pro-Ped
Pedestal

Pro-Ped
Pedestal
Publication Part No. 3983-8 Issue 6
Copyright © Vinten Broadcast Limited 2002
All rights reserved throughout the world. No part of this document may be stored in a retrieval system, transmitted, copied
or reproduced in any way including, but not limited to, photocopy, photograph, magnetic or other record without the prior
agreement and permission in writing of
Vinten Broadcast Limited.
Vinten is a registered trademarks of Vinten Broadcast Limited.

3
Safety - read this first
Warning Symbols in this Operators Guide
Where there is a risk of personal injury, injury to others, or damage to the ped-
estal or associated equipment, comments appear, highlighted by the word
WARNING! and supported by the warning triangle symbol.
Warning symbols on the pedestal
On encountering the warning triangle and open book symbols it is imperative
that you consult this operators guide before using this pedestal or attempting
any adjustment or repair.
Critical data
Mass
Column 19 kg (41.8 lb)
Trim weights (6 off) total 3.4 kg (7.5 lb)
Skid 9.4 kg (20.7 lb)
Load
Maximum load 55 kg (120 lb)
Pressure
Maximum pressure 9.65 bar (140 psi)
≤9.65 bar
19
kg
<55 kg
9.4
kg

4
Technical data
Studio OB
Payload 55 kg (120 lb) 55 kg (120 lb)
Column weight 19 kg (41.8 lb) 19 kg (41.8 lb)
Skid weight 9.4 kg (20.7 lb) 9 kg (19.8 lb)
Trim weights (6 off - total) 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) 3.4 kg (7.5 lb)
Total pedestal weight 31.8 kg (70 lb) 31.4 kg (69.1 lb)
Minimum height 66.6 cm (26.2 in.) 68.5 cm (27 in.)
Maximum height 147.5 cm (58.1 in.) 150 cm (59.1 in.)
On-shot stroke 41 cm (16.1 in.) 41 cm (16.1 in.)
Skid leg radius 48 cm (19 in.) 48 cm (19 in.)
Doorway tracking width 97 cm (38 in.) 97 cm (38 in.)
Transit doorway width 86 cm (34 in.) 86 cm (34 in.)
Narrow doorway width 70 cm (27.5 in.) 70 cm (27.5 in.)
Wheel diameter 12.5 cm (5 in.) 15 cm (6 in.)
Steering ring diameter 53.4 cm (21 in.) 53.4 cm (21 in.)
Max working pressure 9.65 bar (140 psi) 9.65 bar (140 psi)
Relief valve pressure 11.38 bar (165 psi) 11.38 bar (165 psi)
Usage
The Pro-Ped Pedestal is designed for use in television studios and on location to support and bal-
ance a pan and tilt head, camera and ancillary equipment weighing up to 55 kg (120 lb).
The Pro-Ped Pedestal is intended for use by television camera operators.
Further information
For further information or advice regarding this pedestal, please contact Vinten Broadcast Limited,
your local Vinten distributor or visit our website.
For full details on maintenance and spare parts, please refer to the Pro-Ped pedestal Maintenance
Manual and Illustrated Parts List - Publication Part No. 3983-9, obtainable from Vinten Broadcast
Limited or your local Vinten distributor. For information on-line, visit our website at
www.vinten.com.
WARNING! If you do not understand how to operate this pedestal, do not
attempt to use it.
Maintenance beyond that detailed in this Operators Guide must
be performed only by competent personnel in accordance with
the procedures laid down in the Maintenance Manual.

5
Contents
Page
Safety - read this first . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Critical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Technical data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Usage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Further information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Operation
Assembling the pedestal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Pressurizing the pedestal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
.Fitting and balancing the load. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Using the Pro-Ped pedestal
Height adjustment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Brakes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Cable guards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Pedestal movement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Transportation and storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Servicing
General . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Cleaning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Routine checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Adjustments
Skid clamp adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Elimination of radial and side play on the top stage.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Parts list. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Associated Publications
Pro-Ped Pedestal
Maintenance Manual
Part No. 3983-9

6
Pro-Ped Pedestal (Studio Version)
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)
(10)
(22)
(20)
(19)
(18)
(17)
(13)
(16)
(21)
(15) (14) (13) (12) (11)
(23)

7
Pro-Ped Pedestal (Studio Version)
(1) Four-bolt mounting plate
(2) Control valve
(3) Pressure gauge
(4) Top stage
(5) Drag control
(6) Bottom stage
(7) Safety catch
(8) Trim weight
(9) Long strut
(10) Velcro strap
(11) Cable guard
(12) Track lock pin
(13) Short strut
(14) Skid clamp
(15) Wheel brake
(16) Foot support and strap
(17) Trim weight stowage
(18) Outer tube
(19) Bottom clamp
(20) Top clamp
(21) Steering ring
(22) Weight tray
(23) Schrader valve and cap

8
Introduction
The Pro-Ped pedestal comprises a central two-stage telescopic column and a skid assembly with
castoring wheels. For transport and storage, the column and skid may be separated and the skid
folded.
The top stage (4) may be pressurized manually, using the self-contained pump, or from an exter-
nal pressure source. Balance is achieved with approximately 1.5 bar pressure for every 10 kg of
load (10 psi for every 10 lb). Trim weights (8) are provided for fine balance.
The skid comprises a centre casting with carrying handle, a fixed leg and two folding legs. Each
leg carries a braked castoring wheel (15) and a foot support with strap (16) to secure the column
leg. Two versions of the skid are available. The OB skid has 150 mm (6 in.) wheels. The studio
skid has 125 mm (5 in.) wheels with cable guards (11) and track locks (12) which provide castor,
track or steer movement of the pedestal.

9
Operation
Assembling the pedestal
Turn the skid upside-down, depress the leg locking plungers and swing each folding leg out until
the plungers lock the legs in the open position.
Set the skid on the ground on its wheels and apply the brakes (15).
Install the column on the skid as follows:
Ensure that the rubber straps on each foot support (16) are to the outside of the ball joint.
Hold the column upright and release the Velcro retaining strap (10) holding the three struts.
Raise the longer strut (9) to about 30°from the horizontal. The strut joint is adjusted to retain
the strut in this position.
Lift the column, holding the two shorter struts (13) out from the column. Align the long strut
with the fixed leg of the skid and carefully lower the column base into the skid centre, at the
same time engaging the struts with the ball joints on each foot support.
Secure the struts to the supports with the rubber straps (16).
Tighten the skid clamp (14), using moderate hand pressure only. The clamp lever has a
spring loaded ratchet-type action and is operated as follows:
Turn the clamp lever clockwise as far as possible.
Pull the lever outward against the spring pressure, return it to vertical and release.
Turn lever clockwise again.
Repeat until the skid clamp is sufficiently tightened.
Secure the Velcro retaining strap (10) clear of the skid wheels.
If the pedestal is already pressurized, the load may now be fitted. Otherwise pressurize the ped-
estal before fitting the load.

10
Pressurizing the pedestal
The Pro-Ped may be pressurized manually, by using the self-contained pump, or from an external
source.
A correctly pressurized pedestal will balance its payload such that it can be moved to any position
over the full on-shot stroke of the top stage, with minimum effort, and it will maintain its position
when the steering ring is released. Balance is achieved with approximately 1.5 bar pressure for
every 10 kg of load (10 psi for every 10 lb).
WARNING! This pedestal must be pressurized only with clean, dry air or
nitrogen. A pressure reducing valve must be fitted to the pres-
sure line between the gas cylinder and the outlet connection of
the hose. The reducing valve must be screwed into the gas cyl-
inder outlet. The maximum pressure on the outlet side of the
reducing valve must not exceed 9.65 bar (140 psi). Do not pres-
surize the pedestal beyond the maximum safe working pressure
indicated by the leading edge of the red sector on the gauge.
The pedestal is fitted with a pressure relief valve as a safeguard
against over-pressurization.
Do not attempt to adjust the pressure relief valve
WARNING! A pressurized pedestal will rise rapidly when safety catch is
released. Do not lean over the pedestal when releasing the
safety catch. Always restrain the pedestal by hand pressure on
the steering ring when the safety catch is released.
Control Valve
(2)
PUMP INTERMEDIATE WORK