Meade 2080 Instruction Manual page 18

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After removing the Field Tripod from its shipping carton,
stand the tripod vertically, with the tripod feet down,
and ~ith the tripod still fully cOllapsed. Grasp two of
the tripod legs 'and, with the full weight of the-tripod
on the third leg, gently pull the legs apart to a fully
open position.
Thread in the'6 lock-knobs (2 on each tripod leg) near the
foot of each tripod leg. Refer to Fig. 3. These lock-
knobs are ,used to fix the height of the inner, extendable
tripod leg 'sections. ~: "Firm feel" tightening is
sufficient; over-tightening may result in stripping of the,
knob threads,_
Unthr.ead the Tension 'Knob ,(see (3), Fig. 3) sufficiently
,to allow the 'Spre~der- Bar (4) to rotate. The Spreader Bar
should be rota.ted 'about 600 from its shipping position
unti~>~he 3 -atms of the Spreader Bar are lined up with the
3 tripod legs. Then, turn the Threaded Rod (2) so that
.,..' .-abou't.l~" of its length protrudes up through the Head (1)
'of the Field Tripod.
Underneath the Head (1) of the Field Tripod is a hex lock-
nut, which should be.tightened to fix the position of the
Threaded Rod.
Re-tighten the Tension. Knob (3). Firm tightening of the
Tension Knob is sufficient to result in rigid positioning
'of the .tripod legs. It is not necessary to'use extreme force
~n t~ghtening t,his ,knob.
The Field Tripod is. now ready to accept the Equatorial-Wedge.
To vary the ,tripod height, loosen the 6 lock-knobs and
'slide the 3 inner tripod leg sections out to the desired
height.
To collapse the tripod for storage, follow these steps:
(1) Loosen the Tension Knob (see (3), Fig. 3)
sufficiently to,allow the Spreader Bar (4) to
rotate 600 from its assembled position, so
that one Spreader Bar arm is located between
€ach adjacent pair of tripod,legs.
(2) Leave' the Tension Knob near the bottom end of
the Threaded Rod (2), with the Spreader Bar
resting on the Tension Knob.
(3) At the base -of the tripod is a 3-vane extension
strut system, with a circular hub at its center.
To collapse the tripod, grasp the tripod head
(1) with one hand, and, with the other hand,