The Chapter’s Atlas Clay Pigeon Thrower on the Shotgun Range  -- June 30, 2020

Note: Before proceeding to range 4 make sure you "sign in" for using the thrower in the guest kiosk just inside the gate using the separate, dedicated clip board for this purpose.  After your target session, be sure to "sign out" from using the clay target thrower before leaving the property and noting whether thrower is working properly and that it was left in a safe and secure condition with 5 clay targets in the hopper.

These simplified instructions will enable a member to use the thrower without damaging the thrower or the person using it:

• To activate the thrower after removing from storage:  Always stand at the rear of the Atlas thrower and stay clear of throwing arm.  Make sure toggle switch in the back of the thrower is in the "down" position.  Attach thrower's power lead terminals to the proper poles of the battery. (red to positive pole and black to negative pole of battery) Flip the toggle switch to the "up" position.  Trap will activate and arm (cock) at this time.

• Always remember, when the thrower is connected to the battery, the throwing arm could be cocked and ready to fire.  Treat it like a firearm. To fire a clay target simply push the button on the hand-held remote control.  You can continuously fire clay targets from the machine by pushing the hand-held fire button, releasing the button and immediately pushing it again.  Even if the throwing machine is disconnected from battery, take caution as the throwing arm might remain in the cocked position.  See safety precautions and de-cocking procedures below. 

• Warning: Do not remove electrical connectors from the battery until the thrower has been placed in the de-cocked position.

• To de-cock the Atlas clay target thrower, carefully follow these three steps:

Step 1.  Make sure there is at least six (6) clay targets in the stack with one of the 6 in the throwing position and that the thrower is in the cocked (6 o'clock) position.'

Step 2.  Place the toggle switch, on rear of trap, to the "down" position.

Step 3.  Activate the handheld firing button until the thrower throws one of the clay pigeon targets placed in step 1.  The arm will travel to the "9 o'clock" position and stop.  The thrower's arm is now in the de-cocked position and it is in this 9 o'clock position it needs to remain while being stored.  Caution: The thrower can still be energized until the battery leads are removed

• Remove battery leads (remove red lead first) and stow the battery in the battery "footprint" inside the stowage box.

• Before closing the stowage box, remember to check that you have left five clay targets in the magazine as a courtesy to the next user as well as to demonstrate that you have followed these procedures.  Carefully close the stowage box and lock it.

• Remember to "sign out" the thrower at the kiosk before leaving the chapter.