MATRIX MANUFACTURING COMPANY

 

MATRIX SALT SHIELD  (P/N MB100)

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

 

A complete Salt Shield consists of two plastic formed halves (corner support braces pre-assembled), one aluminum center brace, and a carton containing hardware as itemized at the end of these instructions.  You will need a small slotted screwdriver, a medium or large slotted screwdriver, a 7/16” wrench or socket with ratchet, an 11/32” wrench or socket with ratchet, a measuring tape, and a drill with 1/4”, 9/32”, 3/16” and 5/16” drills bits to install your Salt Shield.

 

1.  After removing the Salt Shield and hardware pack from the carton, place both sections of the Salt Shield face down on the trailer or other flat surface.  The Salt Shield is designed to be assembled by overlapping the left and right halves in the center.  To determine which half overlaps the other, imagine looking at the back side of the Salt Shield when it is attached to the trailer.  The face of the left half of the shield is on top (or forward) of the face of the right half.

 

2.  Before taking the next step, you need to look carefully at the side profile of your trailer.  Look at the side rail of your trailer and the two drawings below to determine your next step:

 

If your trailer has side rails that look like this:

(Figure: Rails 1)

 

 

OR

If your trailer has side rails that look like this
(or the hook of the “J” is less than 1/2”):

(Figure: Rails 2)

proceed to paragraph 2a below ê.  If not, ì

 

 

proceed to paragraph 2b below ê

2a. If your trailer has an ‘upside down J’ (with the hook of the J at least 1/2” long) shaped profile on the sides (see diagram above), determine the desired width of your Salt Shield by carefully measuring the inside dimension (ID) of your trailer.  Spread your Salt Shield until ASYMBOL 219 \f "Symbol"A equals your desired dimension.  See figure 2a.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 2a

 

2b.  If your trailer has straight side rails or does not have at least a 1/2” hook on the ‘upside down J’ side rail, (see above diagram), you will need to fasten the ‘J’ brackets provided in your hardware package to the side walls of your trailer.  The channel of the ‘J’ bracket can face either in or out.  (Note: if the channel faces out, you may be making your trailer over 102” wide which is the maximum width allowed by law.)  Using the ‘J’ bracket as a template and placing it as far forward as possible on the side wall of your trailer, mark two holes 1/2” down from the top edge of the side wall.  Drill two 1/4” holes where marked and fasten the ‘J’ bracket to your trailer using the two 1” round head screws provided.  Repeat this process on the other side of the trailer.  (See figure 2b).  If your trailer has a bead along the top of the side wall, nylon spacers are provided to space the bracket out from the side wall to avoid the bead.  (See figure 2c).

 

Figure 2b                              Figure 2c

 

Now, determine the desired width of your Salt Shield by carefully measuring the inside dimension (ID) of your ‘J’ Brackets.  Spread your Salt Shield until ASYMBOL 219 \f "Symbol"A equals your desired dimension.  See figure 2a.

 

 

3.  Determine the center line of the Salt Shield by measuring D (distance between the two vertical molded ridges in the Salt Shield) and dividing by 2, making sure that D measures the same at the top as it does at the bottom.  (See figure 3a).  Place brace on center line of the Salt Shield and push into place.  (Be careful not to bulge the bottom of the Salt Shield.)  While holding the bracket in place, use it as a template and use a ¼” bit to drill hole ‘A’ carefully through both layers of your Salt Shield and fasten with a 1" flat head screw and lock nut (do not tighten) making sure the bracket is on the centerline and parallel with the molded ridges in the Salt Shield.  Drill through hole B and fasten with a 1½ " round head screw and lock nut (do not tighten).  Making sure the brace is still centered, use a pencil or sharp object and mark the plastic through hole C in the bracket.  Remove the bracket and place the screws back in holes A and B.  Then drill hole C through both sections of the Salt Shield.  Remove the screws.  Reposition the bracket over holes A, B, and C, and fasten with screws and lock nuts.  Tighten securely (keep tightening nut until head of screw pulls flush into the front of the Salt Shield).  (See figure 3b).

 

                      

                                    Figure 3a.                                                                      Figure 3b.

 

4.       You can now turn the Salt Shield over and position it on the front of the trailer.

 

5.  Take one of the side brackets and slide the slot all the way onto the lip of the trailer (refer to figure: Rails 1 in paragraph 2) or the installed ‘J’ Bracket (refer to figures 2b & 2c).  Position the shield so that while the side bracket is pushed all the way back onto the lip of the trailer, the two holes in the side bracket are as far forward on the shield as possible.  Using the bracket as a template, drill two 9/32” holes through the wall of the Salt Shield.    Mounting the side bracket as far forward as possible on the shield will ensure maximum stability of the shield.  Fasten the bracket to the Salt Shield using two 3/4" round head screws, flat washers and lock nuts.  (See figure below.)  Repeat on the other side.

 

6.  Assemble the hold downs by putting the small end of the "S" hook into the hole in the rubber latch/bungee and slide the thin edge of the rubber latch into the plastic cup so the middle knob seats in the cup.

 

7.  Step 7 is a CRITICAL STEP.  The correct placement of the cup ensures stability of your salt shield while on the road: With the Salt Shield mounted on the trailer and the side brackets seated all the way back, drill a 5/16" hole in the lip of the trailer (or in the framework if the trailer has no lip) approximately 2” behind the back edge of the Salt Shield.Slide the thin edge of the rubber latch/bungee into the plastic cup and insert the large end of the "S" hook into the 5/16" hole.  Pull the free end of the latch/bungee with the plastic cup up and towards the front of the trailer so the cup is just forward of the aluminum side bracket riveted to the shield and while pulling tight (but not too tight) trace the location of the cup on the Salt Shield.  The cup should be located far enough from the 5/16" hole so that the rubber latch/bungee is stretched approximately 1/4” to 1/2" when it is connected to the cup.  DO NOT STRETCH RUBBER LATCH/BUNGEE BEYOND 1/2”.  Once you are sure the cup is in the right position (angled towards the 5/16" hole), using the cup as a template, drill two 3/16" holes through the side of the Salt Shield and fasten securely using the 3/4" (small) flat head screws and small lock nuts.  Repeat on the other side.      NOTE:  Always put the thin edge of the rubber latch/bungee into the plastic cup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You should receive the following components in the hardware carton:

 

1  - SET OF INSTRUCTIONS

2  - RUBBER  LATCH (BUNGEE)

2  - SIDE BRACKETS

2     - “S” HOOKS

2     - ‘J’ BRACKETS

2  - PLASTIC CUPS

1  - PLASTIC BAG OF HARDWARE

 

           The plastic bag of hardware should contain:

4  - NYLON SPACERS (½” O.D.)

2  - ¼-20x1½” TRUSS HEAD MACHINE SCREWS

4  - ¼-20x1” TRUSS HEAD MACHINE SCREWS

1  - ¼-20x1” FLAT HEAD SCREW

4  - ¼-20x¾” TRUSS HEAD MACHINE SCREWS

4  - 8-32x¾” (small) FLAT HEAD SCREWS

4  - ¼” FLAT WASHERS (3/4” O.D.)

4  - 8/32 (small) LOCK NUTS

11     - ¼-20 LOCK NUTS

 

Great care has been taken to include all of the above hardware in your hardware carton.  However, if you find that you are missing any hardware, please call
Matrix Manufacturing Company at 763-389-3898 or email us at matrix@sherbtel.net  
Visit us on the web at www.matrixmfg.com

 

 

 

MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY
This product will be repaired or replaced up to three years from date of purchase
if due to defective material or workmanship.