I can't get the ball head off my tripod. I've loosened the set screws at the base, but the head won't budge.

Assuming that all the knobs have been loosened it is likely that the head is dirty and there is some grit where the ball is. If it's not too bad some WD-40 should do the trick.

Diane
NYC Photo Safari

I would remove the set screws and spay a little wd40 in the holes, it should just slide up and off then. Probably just tight from being on there for a long time.

loosen the allen head screw for that legs snap lock

The heS IA MOUNTED ON THE BASE WITH A 3/8" SXREW STUD (BASE) AND FMEAL (HEAD). i IS HELD IN PLACE BY TGHREE SCREWS in the baSE. rAISE TRIPOD CENTER COLUMN A FEW INCHES, loodrn the three set screws, then twist head counter-clockwise(if looking at top from birds=eye view.

The head is mounted on the base by a 3/8" screw. The head is held in place by 3 set screws in the base. Turn tripod upside down, loosen (or if completely removed, do not lose them) those 3 screws, turn tripod rightside up and unscrew head from tripod. If unable to turn head, loosen screws a little more. If scres are removed and heaf still not comeing off, Use pipe wrench or afjustable pliers wrapped in cloth to preven maring and loosen. (looking from top, or birds eye view, turn head counter-clockwise

The bottom threads on most tripod heafs are 3/8", but some are 1/4"/ The mounting screws on MOST tripods are 3/8", but I have seen `/4" (especially on monopods. IF:
tripod=3/8 head = 1/4 need mounting plate 3/8 female to 1/4 male
tripod = 1/4 head - 1/4 nothing
tripod 3/8 head 3/8 nothing'
tripod 1/4 head = 3/8 there is an adapter/reducer that screws into the 3/8
' female and reduces that to 1/4"
'

Hi, extend the extension and look under the mounting head. You will see three set screws requiring a slotted type screw driver. Loosen these off so the head is just protruding from the flange. Have the ball head locked in position and unscrew it from the center mounting stud Left to loosen Right to tighten.

Extend the extension so you are able to look at the underside of the mounting flange. You will see at least three screws requiring a slot type screw driver. Loosen these screw so the head just protrudes from the flange, make sure the head is locked in a position and unscrew it from the center mounting stud. Left to loosen and right tightens.

I had the same problem and found the solution after much looking online. Use rubbing alcohol to clean the ball! This works even with the ball in place as long as you rotate the head around to reach all surfaces of the ball. Note that many suggestions to tighten the Allen screw at the base of grip clamp or to roll the wheel to its tightest position do not work because they affect the amount of effort you need to squeeze the clamp, and not specifically the amount of friction between the ball itself and the head. Over time the ball loses it's grip but rubbing alcohol removes finger oils, dust, airborne pollution, etc. After wiping with rubbing alcohol, my ten year old head is now as tight as the day I bought it! Hope this works for you.

IT SOME TIMES TAKES A LOT OF EFFORT TO SEPARTE THE HEAD FROM THE TRIPOD. MAKE SURE YOU REMOVE THE 3 LITTLE SCREWS FROM BELOW THE HEAD, AND MAKE SURE THE TRIPOD AND HEAD ARE NOT COLD. IF THEYA RE WARM THEY WILL SEPARATE EASIER.