Can't remove head from tripod!
 

Hi there everyone,

I've got a problem here I hope someone will be able to solve. It seems relatively straightforward but here it goes...

I've got a 055SSB Manfrotto/ Bogen tripod and a 501 head. I have not removed the head from the tripod since I bought it and first fixed it on. However, I need to remove the head from the tripod now and it seems to be stuck! I removed the 3 screws at the bottom, and tried turning the head anti- clockwise (relative to the tripod column) but despite 'locking' the head as tightly as I could, all I managed to do was to turn the head and not unscrew it from the tripod column (hope I'm making sense here...) I've tried putting a bit of olive oil (don't laugh, I didn't have WD-40 with me) but since the actual screw that holds the head to the tripod column is hidden, it didn't do any good.

I need to remove the head! Help! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Adrian

Get a friend to hold the center column with a pair of channel locks (BIG pliers). You need to prevent the center column from slipping and pliers are the only way I know.

NOOOOOoooooooo!

Use a pair of strap-wrenches. They won't mar the column or the head and will give you plenty of leverage.

You can buy them in pairs from many home depot types of places. The large one would be used on the head, the smaller on the column. The good ones have aluminum handles and plastic straps.

I have to side with Mike on this one.

Trust me on this one.

Spray a little WD-40 in there, and then in a few minutes, you won't need to use any elbow grease nor any heavy duty tools that may damage the tripod.

Thanks everyone for the help,

Despite my best efforts ( and soaking the thing in WD 40), it refused to come off and I brought it back to Calumet where I bought it and the guy simply told me not to look and whacked it with a rubber mallet and it came off! Looks like violence pays sometimes!

Thanks anyway!

Adrian

How funny, I have the same problem.
I have a bogen 3211 tripod with a 3160 head that I hate. I just bought a 501, but I'll be damned if I can get the 3160 off. I removed the 3 screws, but there seems to be a bolt that runs down the center of the head. I can't get to it with a wrench.
Are the 3 screws the only thing that holds the head on? I have a rubber mallot, but I'm tooo skeered to use it!
Thanks
-Kyle

Don't be afraid of using a rubber mallet, after you spray a little bit of WD-40 in 'er.