Assembling New 850 Pro

Wadeg

New member
Joined
Nov 10, 2023
Messages
5
Reaction score
19
Location
Spokane, WA
Bought this grill at Lowes this past weekkend to replace my smaller, aging Treager. Just finished assembly and burn-in. The quality of the unit seems excellent, with heavier gauge steel that my old Treager. Looking forward to first cooking tonight!

I have some issues with the assembly instructions, however. I hope someone from Pit Boss is listening.

1. The required tools list (screwdriver and a level) on page 7 is a fantasy. Also required is a 7/16" wrench for the nuts under the folding front shelf (page 10), an Allen wrench for the tool hooks on the side shelf (page 9), and BRIGHT worklight for working inside the barrel to attach the legs. As for screwdrivers, best to have a variety of lengths, including a stubby for close quarters work, A knife for cutting tape on the packing materials is helpful , as well. Never did figure out what the level is for.............
2. The statement that one person might assemble this grill (page 7) is ludicrous. There is simply no way one person can attach the legs to the main barrel unless they have a third seven-foot arm with a two-way elbow.
3. The instruction for installing the bottom shelf (page 8) is a flawed. With the main barrel resting on its right end (as recommended) it is impossible to install the screws that attach the lower shelf to legs 23 and 22. The unit has to be placed upright to install these.
4. The hardware blister should include a few extra screws, flat washers, and lock washers. These are small and back and easy to lose during assembly.
 
Bought this grill at Lowes this past weekkend to replace my smaller, aging Treager. Just finished assembly and burn-in. The quality of the unit seems excellent, with heavier gauge steel that my old Treager. Looking forward to first cooking tonight!

I have some issues with the assembly instructions, however. I hope someone from Pit Boss is listening.

1. The required tools list (screwdriver and a level) on page 7 is a fantasy. Also required is a 7/16" wrench for the nuts under the folding front shelf (page 10), an Allen wrench for the tool hooks on the side shelf (page 9), and BRIGHT worklight for working inside the barrel to attach the legs. As for screwdrivers, best to have a variety of lengths, including a stubby for close quarters work, A knife for cutting tape on the packing materials is helpful , as well. Never did figure out what the level is for.............
2. The statement that one person might assemble this grill (page 7) is ludicrous. There is simply no way one person can attach the legs to the main barrel unless they have a third seven-foot arm with a two-way elbow.
3. The instruction for installing the bottom shelf (page 8) is a flawed. With the main barrel resting on its right end (as recommended) it is impossible to install the screws that attach the lower shelf to legs 23 and 22. The unit has to be placed upright to install these.
4. The hardware blister should include a few extra screws, flat washers, and lock washers. These are small and back and easy to lose during assembly.
Easy walk in the park?
 
And Im over here complaining lowes delivers everything assembled…maybe I got lucky lol
I got my vertical from Lowes already assembled and ended up tearing half of it down to tighten bolts and align legs, etc. Assembly was a nice feature but the assembler just didn't care around quality so my OCD kicked in. lol.

On my KC Combo I assembled with some help from my son.....and the dog. I have to say the directions were not accurate but did basically tell me what legs went where, etc. I did make a few executive decisions like changing the swivel wheels around to suit my particular setup.
 
I got my vertical from Lowes already assembled and ended up tearing half of it down to tighten bolts and align legs, etc. Assembly was a nice feature but the assembler just didn't care around quality so my OCD kicked in. lol.

On my KC Combo I assembled with some help from my son.....and the dog. I have to say the directions were not accurate but did basically tell me what legs went where, etc. I did make a few executive decisions like changing the swivel wheels around to suit my particular setup.
I wanted mine unassembled local store said that wasn’t an option. Ordered it online and it still showed up assembled. They even have a check box online to choose but they appear to just ignore that. So far my bolts appear to be good.
 
I wanted mine unassembled local store said that wasn’t an option. Ordered it online and it still showed up assembled. They even have a check box online to choose but they appear to just ignore that. So far my bolts appear to be good.
After seeing the quality of the assembly of the display models at Lowe's, I knew immediately that I did not want them doing it. Sheesh. And then they sent a petite, middle-aged woman to retrieve my 184 lb carton from the third deck of shelving. Call me sexist, but I insisted she call for help.
 
Bought this grill at Lowes this past weekkend to replace my smaller, aging Treager. Just finished assembly and burn-in. The quality of the unit seems excellent, with heavier gauge steel that my old Treager. Looking forward to first cooking tonight!

I have some issues with the assembly instructions, however. I hope someone from Pit Boss is listening.

1. The required tools list (screwdriver and a level) on page 7 is a fantasy. Also required is a 7/16" wrench for the nuts under the folding front shelf (page 10), an Allen wrench for the tool hooks on the side shelf (page 9), and BRIGHT worklight for working inside the barrel to attach the legs. As for screwdrivers, best to have a variety of lengths, including a stubby for close quarters work, A knife for cutting tape on the packing materials is helpful , as well. Never did figure out what the level is for.............
2. The statement that one person might assemble this grill (page 7) is ludicrous. There is simply no way one person can attach the legs to the main barrel unless they have a third seven-foot arm with a two-way elbow.
3. The instruction for installing the bottom shelf (page 8) is a flawed. With the main barrel resting on its right end (as recommended) it is impossible to install the screws that attach the lower shelf to legs 23 and 22. The unit has to be placed upright to install these.
4. The hardware blister should include a few extra screws, flat washers, and lock washers. These are small and back and easy to lose during assembly.
Welcome @Wadeg ! Assembly instructions to me are always a vague "PITA" because they are usually a translation from Chinese to English but sadly, that's not the case with Pit Boss. I looked at the instructions for your unit, and compared them to my newest model PRO 1600 PSE and found they have improved them quite a bit my grill. ( a little tongue in cheek here, but they are improved) along with the blister pack of hardware. They do still have in the instructions the mention of a level, for whatever reason. But they do RECOMMEND USING 2 PEOPLE to put it together and the assembly sequence of my unit did flow well. I read through the instructions for an overview and then went about putting my PRO 1600 PSE together without any issues. Through my due diligence, i had learned that the instructions and hardware has evolved over time, as Pit Boss has gotten feedback from YouTube Influencers and from their Customers on these products... so as you have mentioned, "The quality of the unit seems excellent, with heavier gauge steel that my old Treager. I hope someone from Pit Boss is listening." Reach out to their Customer Service with your feedback.... They DO listen!!! Again.... Welcome to the Pit Boss Nation!!! Smoke On!!! :) 🇺🇸
 
Last edited:
Back
Top