I have a Kh830 Knitting machine and it's ribber a KR 830 it has been wonderful but now I find that the carriages wont go across the needle bed when there is no wool on the needles, but if I manually put wool in the needles I can then continue the three row cast on procedure, using the Part buttons. When I try to take the carriages across for the first row (when there I no wool on the needles) then it breaks or seriously bends lots of the needles. Can anyone please help me

Margaret Gilroy, October 2010

I had this problem and the needles were not aligned properly, as previous answer, take a few mins and check the ribber is correctly set each time before you start, save a lot of heartache!

daisymay, November 2010

Hello Margaret,
Have you checked the condition of the sponge bar? If it is worn out the main bed needles are not held tightly enough against the needle bed and although the machine might knit OK for single bed work, when you try to use the ribber problems arise.
Are the needles on both beds getting damaged? Make sure the ribber is set to the correct pitch for the type of ribbing you are trying. Also check the height adjustment of the ribber. If it is too high the needles could catch on the connecting arm.
Sometimes it helps to remove the connecting arm; while it is off the machine, check that it is not damaged. Remove both carriages and check that the needle channels are clear. Then replace them, making sure they are on the rails correctly and that they move freely over the needles independently. Replace the connecting arm, making sure it is seated properly before tightening the thumb screws. Also check that the carriages are set correctly before you start to knit.
I know this might sound obvious but if you check out everything stage by stage you are more likely to find the source of the problem.
Hope this helps,

Sue, October 2010