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TWISTER Dolly

Manual TWISTER | E | 04.2008

Manual
PANTHER GmbH
Raiffeisenallee 3 | 82041 Oberhaching-Munich | Germany­
T +49.89.61 39 00 01 | F +49.89.61 31 00 0
www.panther.tv | contact@panther.tv
Table of Content

1. Introduction 1
2. To the grip 1
3. Specification 2
3.1 Overview 4
3.2 assembling boreholes 6
4. Operation 7
4.1 Normal and Track Operation 7
4.2 the steering 9
4.3 Side platform 10
4.4 Level platform 11
5. shipping 12
6. Maintenance 13
7. Warranty 14
8. EU - Declaration of Conformity 15
Manual | English

1. Introduction
Congratulations to your decision to buy or rent a PANTHER - TWISTER Dolly. We are very pleased that you
have chosen our product, which combines state-of-the-art technology.

High-quality material and sound know-how, as well as a clever concept enable your TWISTER Dolly to do
a professional job, which you will really enjoy when doing your responsible work at the set.

Your new TWISTER Dolly is a high-quality tool, which enables the creative camera man to do an excellent
job – fast and easy – with fantastic shots and camera moves.

The TWISTER Dolly is a product that has been created and built by experts for experts – to satisfy the
high demands of every camera man.

We hope that you will have a lot of pleasure with your TWISTER Dolly. In order to guarantee the highest
security and reliability in our product at the set, please study our operating manual very carefully!

All the best

PANTHER GmbH

2. To the grip
Sloppy assembly, disassembly and operating have created and will also create in future dam-ages and
physical injury, as well as death of involved or even uninvolved persons.

The following operating instructions should explain to the grip how to work with the camera crane and
should also make aware and give advice to take care of possible dangers.

Accidents can only be avoided if the dangers are well known and the common sense is activated.

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Manual | English

3. Specification
payload: maximum 270 kg / 595 lb
turning circle: inside 420 mm / 1‘6“
outside 1160 mm / 3‘10“
length: 1160 mm / 3‘10“
width: wheels indented 785 mm / 2‘7“
wheels disengaged 865 mm / 2‘10“
platform height: 195 mm / 7.7“
track gauge width: wheels disengaged 620 mm / 2‘
wheels indented 540 mm / 1‘9“
pneumatic wheels: diameter 250 mm / 10”
track wheels: diameter 107 mm / 4.2”

Fig. 3.0.1
TWISTER, top view

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Fig. 3.0.2
TWISTER, turning circle with 1, and 2 axis - steering

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3.1 Overview

u Dolly platform
v front axle
y
w rear axle
x
y
push bar
steering rod / draw bar
x

u
Fig. 3.1.1
TWISTER Dolly

w v

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Manual | English

u locking pin to arrest front steering (FRONT STEERING - LOCK/UNLOCK)
v locking pin for front steering mode (FRONT STEERING - ON/OFF)
w locking pin for rear steering mode (REAR STEERING - ON/OFF)
x anti sliding pad
y pneumatic wheel
z track wheel
{ locking pin to arrest rear steering (REAR STEERING - LOCK/UNLOCK)
| locking screw for the transport position of the track wheels
} locking pin to arrest axis disengaging
~ steering control cable
mouting plate for left and right platform (OPTION)

Fig. 3.1.2 Fig. 3.1.3

TWISTER Dolly TWISTER Dolly
top view bottom view

uv }

w ~
x

yz { | }
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3.2 assembling boreholes

green: three hole assembling for e. g. turnstile attachment (code no. 100374)
blue: three hole assembling for e. g. euroadapter (code no. 122209)

red: two hole assembling for push bar (code no. 166786) and center hole for
assembling the level platform (code no. 169632)
red small: two hole assembling for push bar (code no. 166786)

rot: two hole assembling w/o center hole for push bar (code no. 166786)

yellow: two holes for upright assembling of the side platforms (code no. 169347)

purple: two holes for tripod spreader (code no. 165396)

light blue: aperture for bowl 150 mm (code no. 107374) and 100 mm (code no. 100383)

Fig. 3.2.1
TWISTER Dolly -
assembling boreholes

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Manual | English

4. Operation
Basics
The TWISTER Dolly can be used for both movie and video applications. As a Doorway Dolly with combined
pneumatic and track wheels it offers high maneuverability and flexibility.
You simply guide the TWISTER Dolly in its full configuration very conveniently over the drive-up ramp onto
the tracks and, when necessary, put it back on the tires. No carrying or conversion of the Dolly is required
to switch between tire and track operation.

4.1 Normal and Track Operation

The TWISTER Dolly permits you to run on tires or on tracks without time-consuming modifications. This is
accomplished by simply moving the wheels in and out.
The track width in this case corresponds to the track wheels when the wheels are extended exactly to the
standard 620 mm or 2 feet gauge track. Travel is possible on tracks with up to an inner turning radius of
at least 3 meters.
In normal operation with wheels tucked in, the width of the Dolly is reduced to 78.5 cm, permitting you to
navigate easily through 80 cm wide doorposts.

WARNING !
The extended wheels are permitted EXCLUSIVELY for track operation.
For operation on tires all wheels MUST be drawn in!

max. payload 270 kg / 595 lb

use extended axis on tracks ONLY !

WARNING !
For track operation both lock bolts, FRONT
and REAR STEERING, must be set to UNLOCK.

WARNING !
For track operation, one of the two lock bolts on the steering
disk FRONT and REAR STEERING must be set to OFF.

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Expanding wheels (for track operation)

u Open the locking bolts below the Dolly for this purpose.
To do this the bolts must be pulled out slightly and rotated



90.

INFO !
The lock bolt is open when its locking
teeth are NOT engaged.

locking pin locking pin
locked unlocked
v Move the entire wheel assembly outward. For this purpo-
se, pull the inner tire outwards.



INFO !
It is helpful to slightly lift the Dolly or
to relieve the load on one side.




w Now close the lock bolt. To do this it must be pulled out 

slightly and rotated 90° and snapped into place. The
teeth on the bolt must re-engage. 
locking pin
WARNING ! locked
For track operation both lock bolts,
FRONT and REAR STEERING, must
be set to UNLOCK.

WARNING !
For track operation, one of the
two lock bolts on the steering disk
FRONT and REAR STEERING must be
set to OFF.

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4.2 the steering

You can navigate the TWISTER Dolly precisely around the set by using the three optional steering modes:
FRONT, REAR and ROUND-A-ROUND.

The steering modes are rapidly switched without using a tool via the lock bolts on the axles and on the
steering disk.

Depending on requirements, in this case either only the front or rear wheels move independently of each
other or all four wheels move together.

 



Fig. 3.2.1 Fig. 3.2.2 Fig. 3.2.3
steering disc with FRONT, front axis with FRONT rear axis with REAR
REAR STEERING ON/OFF STEERING LOCK/UNLOCK STEERING LOCK/UNLOCK

Changing the steering mode

FRONT STEERING
u locking pin on the front axle FRONT STEERING to UNLOCK
v locking pin on the steering disc FRONT STEERING to ON
w locking pin on the steering disc REAR STEERING to OFF
x locking pin on the rear axle REAR STEERING to LOCK

REAR STEERING
u locking pin on the front axle FRONT STEERING to LOCK
v locking pin on the steering disc FRONT STEERING to OFF
w locking pin on the steering disc REAR STEERING to ON
x locking pin on the rear axle REAR STEERING to UNLOCK

ROUND A ROUND STEERING

u locking pin on the front axle FRONT STEERING to UNLOCK
v locking pin on the steering disc FRONT STEERING to ON
w locking pin on the steering disc REAR STEERING to ON
x locking pin on the rear axle REAR STEERING to UNLOCK

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Manual | English

4.3 Side platform

The TWISTER Dolly has up to two optional detachable platforms.
These platforms permit a lateral expansion of the platform size.

WARNING !
The maximum load that the
detachable platforms can Fig. 4.3.1
support is 100 kg / 220 lb !! side platform,
code no. 169347

Installing side platform

u Install the two mounting plates deli-

vered with the detachable platform
below the Dolly platform with four
screws.

v Push the detachable platform into the
two side borings on the Dolly plat-
form.

w Secure the platform with the two wing

bolts.




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Manual | English

4.4 Level platform

The TWISTER Dolly has optional level platforms. With these plat-
forms the Dolly can also, for the first time, be expanded in the
vertical direction.

WARNING !
The maximum load that the detachable
platforms can support is 100 kg / 220 lb !!
No more than two level platforms can be
mounted one above the other. Fig. 4.4.1
level platform
code no. 169632

The Twister Dolly has 8 external (red) and 4

internal (green) mounting borings.

On the outer (red) mounting borings the

platform can additionally be affixed with
two wing bolts.

In most positions the stage platform can be

mounted in two different alignments.

Fig. 4.4.2
example of use, level platform
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Manual | English

5. shipping
For transporting the TWISTER Dolly it is generally advisable to move the wheels into the retracted position.
It is also sometimes advisable to remove the push rods and to fold the steering rod forward 90 degrees.

To protect the track wheels against damage in normal opera-


tions they may be moved into a transporting position. For this
purpose the track wheel can be rotated upward and fixed in
place with the setscrews.

WARNING !
The dolly should be raised slightly in
order to rotate the rail wheels. In this way
the wheels can be swiveled more easily.

The TWISTER Dolly can also be used, when required, as a

transport vehicle, e.g. for boxes or crates. For this purpose the
optional mountable platforms may also be mounted vertically
(see Chap. 4.3)


Fig. 5.1
TWISTER Dolly with upside
assembled side platforms

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Manual | English

6. Maintenance

The TWISTER Dolly is a solid device that works reliably and functions without extensive maintenance
work.
To be able to warrant high life expectation and constant quality, it is necessary to treat the components
carefully and look after them.

NOTE !
Damage resulting from improper handling is not warranted.
Likewise, there is no warranty in case the seals are damaged.

After each use, especially in dirty, dusty, sandy, moist, or salty environments, the device must be ser-
viced and cleaned carefully. Pay attention to the mobility of all connections.

WARNING !
Immediately interrupt all use if only one part of the device is damaged or missing.

Maintenance and repair work can only be implemented by qualified specialists. The PANTHER Company
offers service seminars that are held upon request. Please call +49 (89) 613 900 30 (PANTHER - Service)
for scheduling coordination.

Test all components for completeness and damage during each assembly, e.g. bent pipes, loose screws,
etc. These components must be exchanged, if necessary.

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Manual | English

7. Warranty
We warrant that the products are free of manufacturing defects in material. Both for mechanical and for
electronic parts, the warranty period is 12 months. The warranty period begins with the date of delivery.
Any warranty shall, however, expire if our operating and maintenance instructions are not complied with,
if changes are made to the products, or if parts of our equipment are replaced with parts that do not cor-
respond to the original specifications; the same shall apply to improper handling of the equipment.
The purchaser undertakes to exempt us from any claims for compensation which might arise on the part
of third parties vis-à-vis us, whether resulting from putting into service or from using the equipment.
The purchaser must inform our costumer service management in writing about any discernible defects
without delay – at the latest, however, within one week after receipt of the delivered item. Defects which
do not become discernible within this period, even after careful examinations, must be reported to us by
the purchaser in writing immediately after discovery.
In the event that the purchaser should report that the products do not correspond to the warranty, we
may require at our discretion that either
a) the defective equipment or the defective part is to be sent to us for repair and subsequent return,
or
b) the purchaser keeps the defective equipment or the defective part available, and we shall com-
mission an expert who will be sent to carry out the repair.
Transport cost and travelling expenses incurred for the purpose of remedying defects shall be borne by
the purchaser.
Defects which occur to the equipment as a result of natural wear and tear shall not be covered by the
warranty. When asserting claims under warranty, it is the duty of the purchaser to prove that the defects
were not caused by circumstances which are among the risks within his sphere of responsibility (such as
transport damage, improper operation, etc.).
Any further claims in particular claims for damages for direct or indirect damage are excluded.
If after an appropriate time it is not possible to remedy the defect, the purchaser may at his discretion
demand a reduction of the payment or cancellation of the contract.
Only the direct purchaser shall be entitled to make warrantly claims against us; such claims are not
assignable.

Oberhaching, March 2008

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8. EU - Declaration of Conformity

The product has been developed, designed and manufactured

in conformity with the following regulations:

EC regulations: Maschinenrichtlinie 98/37 Anh. I/IV

harmonized Regulations Sicherheit von Maschinen EN 292 /394

of technic:
national regelations: Veranstaltungs-und Produktions-stät- BGI 814
ten für szenische Darstellung

The technical documentation is existing completely.

The Operating Instruction that belong to the machine is submitted.

Oberhaching, March 31, 2008 __________________________

Erich Fitz, Managing Director

We have fulfilled the essential safety and health requirements. In case of technical
change of the machine made by a third party this declaration looses its validity.

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