[Big Dawg]

I have bought a Gimbal Head for my long lens and need to remove the Pan Tilt head from the tripod so I can mount the Gimbal Head. No luck so far. Any suggestions are welcome.

[jatrax]

Just speculation since I don't know what tripod you have (or what head for that matter)
1) Some heads are not removable at all.
2) Some have additional set screws underneath that need loosened first
3) Some have set screws or fasteners on the side that need to be loose first
4) Some just need a really big wrench

[stevebrot]

Just speculation since I don't know what tripod you have (or what head for that matter)
1) Some heads are not removable at all.
2) Some have additional set screws underneath that need loosened first
3) Some have set screws or fasteners on the side that need to be loose first
4) Some just need a really big wrench

What he said ^^^

It might help if you were to share the brand and model tripod you are working with.


Steve

[Kerrowdown]

I'll say it just in case... anti clockwise.

[ajack]

If you’ve already gone through what others have said and are sure you’re doing it right: a lot of times threaded parts are assembled with Loctite (basically glue). Sometimes there is a little bit of telltale blue around the screws.

Try heating the head up a bit with a hairdryer, that will soften the loctite. If you have an impact wrench, this would be the time to use it.

[MSL]

I'd have to dig into my Manfrotto manual since I've only changed the head once, but something in the back of my mind is hinting that maybe the screws (not really screws but more like hex bolts) were reverse threaded. Including model details would help a lot.

[Ex Finn.]

My Manfrotto has 3 locking screws underneath to lock the head in place.

[stevebrot]

My Manfrotto has 3 locking screws underneath to lock the head in place.

And the head itself will be secured by either a 1/4" or 3/8" stud (right-hand thread). With any luck @Big_Dawg will check back in with a report of success and/or a description of the tripod


Steve

[Ex Finn.]

And the head itself will be secured by either a 1/4" or 3/16" stud (right-hand thread). With any luck @Big_Dawg will check back in with a report of success and/or a description of the tripod


Steve

475B has a 3/8-16 stud. Gitzo 3542L has a reversible 1/4-20 3/8-16 stud.

[stevebrot]

4) Some just need a really big wrench

Funny you should say that. The center platform on my Slik 330DX legs is notched on each side to accept some sort of plier. That would have come in handy today when I decided to take the head off. It took several tries despite the design not using any grub screws to fix the head in place.

475B has a 3/8-16 stud. Gitzo 3542L has a reversible 1/4-20 3/8-16 stud.

Yes, I screwed up (bad pun and wrong fraction) and will edit. My Giottos uses a combo 1/4-20 3/8-16 stud while my Slik 330DX has a fixed 1/4-20 stud. The Manfrotto 494 head I use with the 330 DX is threaded to accept 3/8-16, but a 1/4-20 adapter (included in the box with the head) allows them to mate quite nicely.


Steve