Included with your press are some small parts. There is
one ratchet handle, one wing-head bolt, two ratchet head
pins and four basket pins. |
Attach the ratchet handle by inserting one end of the handle
(the end with the divit) into the receptacle. As you insert
the handle, look down through the bolt hole and line the
divit up so the bolt will seat itself into the divit as
it's screwed in. |
Before you use the press for the first time you will need
to lubricate the ratchet mechanism. You can use vegetable
oil to prevent petrolium based oil from getting in your
juice. Oil the length of the threaded shaft, remove the
two ratchet head pins and oil all the moving parts of the
head. Work the ratchet handle back and forth several times
to work the oil around the various surfaces of the head
assembly. |
Insert the pins in the ratchet head. For ratcheting up the
shaft the pins will be inserted with the long side leading
counter clockwise, as in the photo above. Reverse the pins
and insert them with the long side leading clockwise to
ratchet down the shaft. Place one hand under the ratchet
head and lift up to provide pressure and operate the handle
back and forth to get the feel for the way the press works.
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You may choose to mount the press to a table or bench for
extra stability. The legs are pre-drilled for you. |
Once you have filled your press basket with fruit (grapes,
chopped apples, pears, etc.) you should place the two semi-cirular
blocks into the basket right on top of the fruit. Leave
the metal loops facing upwards so you have something to
hold on to when removing the blocks. |
Stack the remaining wooden blocks in alternating directions
as shown. If you are pressing a small amount of fruit you
may need to add more of your own blocks to reach further
down into the basket. |
Rotate the entire ratchet head around the shaft until it
comes to rest on the top of the blocks. Now you are ready
to use the ratchet feature. The press should remain stationary
(not rotate) on top of the blocks. In the photo above you
should notice three distinct layers of the ratchet mechanism.
The bottom layer will remain still against the blocks. The
top layer will move back and forth as the handle is operated.
The middle layer will turn a bit each time the handle is
moved. The middle layer will rotate around the shaft and
create the downward motion needed to press the fruit. |
As you operate the handle in the back and forth motion you
will notice the top layer of the press moving in connection.
The head pins will alternately ride up and down the series
of holes in the middle layer of the ratchet. |
As you operate the handle back and forth, make sure you
don't push down or pull up on the handle. Just work the
handle back and forth parallel to the ground. Upward or
downward pressure on the handle will make the ratchet much
harder to operate. |
Once you have finished pressing you can move the ratchet
head up the shaft a bit and remove the four basket pins
as shown here. This will allow you to open the basket up
all the way for cleaning. |
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