Sounds like the thread dial, yes you can just undo the long cap head screw that it pivots on and remove. Ideally put a small screw back in the hole so any swarf does not find it's way into the apron.

I assume the bracket arrowed in the image below:

Seems to serve little purpose and looks quite crudely made. Could it be a shipping device?

John

I would be aiming my question towards Chester Tools. They should know why it is different from other ‘virtually identical’ machines and the reason for that difference. I suspect there is a reason for it and it is not a shipping device.

I note there seems to be (several) differences between similar machines from individual suppliers – motor power and weight being others, at least.

I wondered if the handle needs to be pulled out, to clear the bracket, so that it can turn to engage the half nuts.

This assumes that the bracket is there to ensure that the half nuts are not engaged accidentally.

Howard

Sounds liek the halfnuts are riding on top of the leadscrew threads, stopping full handle movement. Are you doing this with the leadscrew rotating? It might take a second or two for the nuts to fully engage with the leadscrew threads. Or if not rotating, you might have to move the carriage along with the handwheel until the nuts drop into full engagement.