OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Define the work zone
•
Clear the
work
area before operating
the
Rover.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Use cones and caution
tape in work zones.
• Wear high visibility clothing, gloves, and steel toe boots
• Never work alone, always ensure there is another person
close at hand.
• Work in good weather conditions on dry concrete when-
ever possible.
• Try to seal joints same day backer rod is installed to
prevent recontamination.
Before installing backer rod
• Joint preparation is critical.
• Chase out the saw cuts to clear joints of any dirt and debris.
• Machine cut joint profile to engineer specifications.
• Clear and remove all construction debris from joint and
surrounding surfaces.
• Read and understand sea
lant
manufacturer’s
requirements.
Start rolling in backer rod
• Place fully assembled Rover over the beginning of a
joint.
• Thread backer rod into the guide tube and tilt Rover into
45 degree position resting on the handle then pull
approximately 18" of extra backer rod through the exit
end of the guide tube to create a "tail". (see
fi
gure 2)
page 7
• Place the Rover in the upright position and turn both
insertion wheel T-handles clockwise and simultaneously
until front insertion wheel is approximately 1/8" inside the
joint.
• Turn the rear T-handle an additional 3 revolutions and push
Rover forward a few feet. Inspect backer rod depth and fine
tune the rear T-handle adjustment for ideal depth.
(see
fig
ure 4)
• Push the Rover forward, starting slow to let the backer rod
spool gradually begin to rotate. Increase forward speed to a
steady walk.
• When exiting a joint
,
press down on the handle while
pushing the rover forward. This will bring the insertion
wheels out of the joint. Keep dispensing backer rod until
there is enough extra to complete the joint while having
enough to start the next joint. Then cut the backer rod.
• At these start and stop points use an Albion 640-series
insertion tool and tamping blade to roll in the "tails".
(see
fi
gure 7)
• When moving from one joint to the next, press down on
handle so the Rover rides on the rear tires to avoid direct
contact of the insertion wheels to the concrete surface.
• Keep Rover in a 45° position resting on the handle when
not in use or raise insertion wheels up to avoid damage.
