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Gutter Machine Mounting

READ ALL MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS, SPECIFIC TO YOUR BRAND OF GUTTER MACHINE, PRIOR TO MOUNTING THE GUTTER MACHINE.  

The gutter machine should be permanently mounted where it will be used (in the bed of a pickup or panel truck, on a trailer, on a special bench).

The gutter machine should be used only in a level position with the rear or discharge end of the gutter machine aligned toward the rear of the truck.

***WARNING*** NEVER cinch the gutter machine down to match the contour of a truck bed, trailer, or bench.  Wherever the gutter machine frame does not meet the mounting surface, use shims of wood, metal or other suitable material to achieve a solid four-point mount. Forcing the gutter machine frame to twist or warp to conform to an irregular surface will result in serious loss of critical pressure adjustment between roller sections in the machine. The machine’s chassis is very rigid, and shims should be used to retain the original shape of the gutter machine frame when mounting.

Note: In many cases, even a new truck may have as much as 2-in (50-mm) of twist in an eight-foot bed.

Location of Controls on the Gutter Machine

In order to comply with European Union Machinery Directive (98/37/EC), the controls (electrical enclosure) must be located between 20-in (.5-m) and 75-in (1.9-m) above the surface on which the operator will stand while operating the gutter machine. Surfaces may include the ground, a truck bed, or a trailer deck.

Truck or Trailer Mounting

Find the holes in the frame angle mounts, usually located along the sides or front edges of the gutter machine.  The frame angle mounts have holes for mounting the gutter machine directly to the bed of the mobile unit. Cut a pair of 24-in long 2X4’s or 4X4’s to fit horizontally across the bed of the vehicle.  These will provide some clearance under the gutter machine and act as road vibration absorbing pads. Four to eight bolts of sufficient length are adequate to secure the gutter machine to the vehicle bed. Rubber padding may be used for added insurance against road vibration and possible loosening of gutter machine adjustments.

NOTE: Allow at least 8-in (200-mm) of clearance between the front wall of the vehicle (as in a pickup or flatbed) and the front spool of the gutter machine. This creates the proper clearance for feeding material off the spool into the gutter machine. This clearance is also necessary for occasional slacking of material as the spool pays out.

Shop or Other Stationary Mounting

READ THE TRUCK OR TRAILER MOUNTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR YOUR PARTICULAR GUTTER MACHINE BEFORE STATIONARY MOUNTING YOUR GUTTER MACHINE

For stationary mounting, ensure the table, bench, rack or horses are solid and level. For both safety and stability, securely bolt the gutter machine to the mounting arrangement. Again, ensure the frame is not cinched down to an irregular base, but rather shimmed to make solid contact at four points. Support in the center of the gutter machine is recommended but not required. The first step toward production of high-quality gutter is a level, properly mounted gutter machine. 

Prior to mounting the gutter machine, consider how the coil stock will be fed into the gutter machine. Metal should be fed into the gutter machine in a downward direction from the payoff reel mount atop the gutter machine. Floor mounted reels or mobile units can be extremely difficult to align with the gutter machine, and they typically produce acceptable results only when securely fastened to the gutter machine. Rippled gutter may result if the coil stock is not fed into the guides at a downward angle.

Contact the gutter machine manufacturer for further information on specific mounting situations. Information is readily available upon request, free of change, from the individual factories.

Author: Mike Milliman

Mike is managing partner at Gutter Supply Inc. and has over 20 years of experience in the industry. His expertise and vast knowledge of the industry, along with his priority on customer service, has contributed to the continued success of Gutter Supply, it’s contractor customers and homeowner DIY’s.

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