PRESERVING ACCURATE DOLLY TRACKING

    When a PeeWeeŽ or Super PeeWeeŽ won't steer properly in normal or crab modes, the first thing you should check is the dolly's wheel alignment marks.  If the dolly still isn't tracking properly, check the chain tension.  This requires adjustment of the chain for the front dolly wheels.
    To accomplish this, support the dolly so the wheels are off the ground.  Set the legs to the 45 degree position.  Next, grab one wheel pair and gently jiggle them from side to side.   If you notice any side play, this indicates a need to tighten the chain tension.  Repeat this same procedure on all four dolly wheel pairs.   
    If the chain tension needs to be adjusted, you can service the unit in the field by carefully following these steps:
    First, safely support the dolly off the ground.  On the leg to be adjusted, remove the Flathead Screws and Retaining Washers on both sides of the axle.  Remove the wheels (pictured below).

   Second, pull the Leg Locking Pin up.   Release the Tab Lock Lever.  Support the Wheel Kingpin and axle unit so it doesn't fall.  Drive the pin out and remove the Tab Lock Lever and Leg Cap from the Wheel Kingpin (pictured below).   If this procedure is to be repeated on other legs, mark the Leg Cap to ensure it is remounted on the same leg.

    Third, using a 1/8-inch Allen wrench, loosen the 4 Flathead Screws holding the Upper Bearing Housing to the leg (pictured right).  Repeat this operation on the lower side of the leg, taking care to support the Wheel Kingpin so it doesn't fall.  Push the Leg Locking Pin down.

    Fourth, at this point the objective is to remove slack in the chain.  Grasp the  Kingpin from the top and bottom and pull away from the dolly.  Next, pull the Kingpin hard and, while keeping tension against the chain with one hand, tighten the top screws to hold the unit in place (pictured right).
   While continuing holding pressure against the Kingpin with one hand, firmly tighten the lower screws.  (CAUTION: Do not use tools or prying devices or you will stress the steering mechanism).  Tighten all remaining upper and lower screws.
  

Fifth, make sure the Kingin protrudes fully through the Upper Bearing Housing and re-install the Tab Lock by reversing the procedures in step #2.   While the Tab Lock Lever is open, rotate it until the alignment marks on the Leg Cap and Bearing Cap line up (pictured right).
    Sixth, replace the wheels, Retaining Washers and Flathead Screws.
   

    Seventh, jiggle the wheels again to verify that there is no slack in the chains (pictured below).  If any play is detected, repeat steps 1 through 6 and exert stronger pressure against the Kingpin before tightening the screws.   Again, check for wheel play.   Rotate the Steering Handle from crab to conventional mode to ensure that the steering mechanism  operates smoothly (pictured below, right).  Any binding would indicate that you have over tightened a Leg Chain.   If so, repeat steps 1 through 6, but exert less pressure against the Kingpin.

    Lastly, verify wheel alignment by centering the Shifting Handle.   The center point is confirmd by rotating the Shifting Handle from crab to conventional and turning the steering back and forth gently until the transmission shifts.   Now check the alignment marks on the leg or legs which were adjusted (pictured right).  If the marks are off, release the Tab Lock Lever and rotate it until the marks align and the wheels point forward.  Clamp the Tab Lock Lever down (pictured above).   Once again, rotate the steering back and forth a few times.   Check the alignment marks on the Leg Cap with the steering in the center (shifting) position.

PERFECT WHEEL ALIGNMENT EVERYTIME
        The photo (right) shows a Super PeeWeeŽ fitted with an important accessory-the Wide Tracking Bar, item #1326.   The bar is invaluable for moving a PeeWee in long tracking shots because, with this accessory, the grip can compensate for slight deviations.  Perfectly aligned wheels should allow you to move the dolly 15 or 20 feet to a point, and then, without touching the Shifting Handle, to move back to the starting point and repeat the move, ending up at precisely the same point.
   

       Variations in the floor surface, or such things as camera weight, may pull the dolly slightly to the left or right.  It is best if dolly track can be implemented for perfect tracking.  If dolly track cannot be used, the magic of the Wide Tracking Bar is that you can exert pressure on one side of the handle to overcome a small drift.
    In cases where tracking isn't improved by extra pressure to one side of the Wide Tracking Bar, give a very slight nudge inward to the front wheel on the side of the drift.  The wheel should creep toward the center line.  Do this with the Tab Lock Lever only partially open to prevent misalignment.  Make sure that the alignment marks are still touching (pictured right).  Push the Tab Lock Lever down firmly to lock the Wheel Kingpin and try a straight tracking movement again to double check accuracy.