The Fred-Rapp IWLA Chapter has installed a clay pigeon thrower replacing the worn and irrepairable White Wing model.  The new model is the Raven model, and operation differs slightly from the White Wing clay thrower.  These instructions are provided to assist you with proper and safe operation for the thrower. 

The Raven Clay Pigeon thrower with its reference frame for Range 4 (the Shotgun Range)

Some characteristics of the Raven Clay Thrower (the thrower) that differ from the model previously used by the Chapter:

A. The thrower's feed mechanism will cycle down through a stack of clays and then hold the last clay. The rotary throwing mechanism will cycle but the last clay won’t drop and will not be thrown. This makes reloading very easy because you add the new stack to the top of the remaining clay.

B. The trajectory of the thrown clay target is not to the same exact spot each time.  It will fly out in an arc that varies by about 10 to 15 degrees thus making shooting more of a challenge.

C. If you leave the safety pin in the thrower and turn the switch to the "on" position, the throwing arm will move to the pin then back off about an inch which will allow its easy removal.  This is different from the previous thrower which would cycle to the safety pin very tightly with enough force to prevent you from removing it.

All three characteristics are improvements from the last model.  Never work with the thrower from the right side (the side towards range 3).

For purposes of positioning the operator in the framework of the thrower -- down range is to the front of the thrower.  Range 3 (the rifle range) is to the right of the thrower and the archery range is to the left of the thrower.

Here are the procedures for set-up, use and breaking down and returning the thrower to its storage condition:

Conduct these actions, which require being in contact with the Raven thrower: set-up, loading, unloading, and break down ONLY from the left side (the Archery Range side) of the thrower.  Once set up and ready to operate the shooter may stand either to the left or the right of the thrower at a safe distance from the thrower.

SET UP

   1.     Unlock and open the house (the green box enclosure or storage enclosure) by rocking it back on its hinges toward the access road.  Inspect the thrower before touching it. The previous user should have disconnected the power cable from the thrower and the throwing arm should be positioned pointing out to the left side (towards the archery range) and the safety pin should be inserted. The toggle switch on the rear of the thrower should be in the “off” position.  The storage battery should be connected only to the solar cell battery charging device.  If these conditions exist, then proceed with caution.

2.  Move the battery from the wood platform, and rest it on a board on the concrete base of the storage box.  Ensure the solar charger cables remain attached at all times, even during operation.                                                                                    

 

 

       4.  Make sure the toggle switch is in the center (the "OFF") position.  The switch should return to the center position on its own except when it is placed in the "ON" position.

        5.      Extend the foot pedal cord and place the foot pedal switch either on the bench uprange from the storage enclosure to allow triggering the switch by hand if shooting with a partner, or place on a piece of wood on the ground if you’re shooting by yourself and triggering the switch by foot. If shooting by yourself, place the foot pedal a sufficient distance away from the operating arc of the thrower.  Connect the foot pedal cord to its mating end at the thrower house.

WARNING: the following operations must be done standing to the left side of the thrower as a DANGER ZONE exists inside the arc of the throwing arm and in front of the thrower when loaded with clay pigeons.

6.       Hook up the power cable from the thrower to the battery making sure the red connector is on the positive terminal and the black connector on the negative terminal.

    

9.       Turn the toggle switch to the “ON” position by moving it down in the direction of the concrete base.

WARNING: AT THIS TIME THE THROWER IS LIVE AND YOU NEED TO STAY AWAY FROM THE ARC OF THE DANGER ZONE.  APPROACH THE THROWER FROM THE LEFT SIDE ONLY.

     10.   Operate by tapping the foot pedal switch, reloading the clays as needed.  

    Note: The mechanism will always stop with one clay remaining in the feeder.

ONCE READY TO FINISH SHOOTING (with the one remaining clay or any number of clays remaining in feeder)   TURN THE TOGGLE SWITCH TO THE CENTER "OFF" POSITION

BREAK DOWN THE THROWER  FOR RETURNING TO STORAGE

      WARNING: THE FOLLOWING ACTION WILL allow the firing of ONE MORE CLAY from either a remaining stack or the last remaining clay!

1.    Ensure no one is standing in front of the thrower, and push toggle switch up to the “RELEASE” position.

Note: The  switch  will return to the off position on its own.  

            

     

     

    

6.       Move the battery securely onto the wood platform close to the frame of the thrower (make sure the solar charger cables remain attached in order for the battery to remain charged by the solar panel). 

8. Clean up your hulls and any broken pieces of clay pigeons, make sure the thrower is in a configuration not to interfere with closing the storage enclosure, then carefully close the storage box and secure the hasp and security lock.

                                                                                                          



Fredericksburg-Rappahannock Chapter of the Izaak Walton League
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