I'm trying to help a friend install and operate a Durst 184 10x10 enlarger. We're doing ok, but I've never seen one of these beasts and friend is 2500 miles from here. Friend is mechanically challenged and somewhat frantic. A little hard to get clear answers to my questions.

I'd sure like to see one or have an exploded view of how the head works. Friend prints 40 x 50 inch prints from 8x10. This should be possible. Originally, there wasn't enough throat, so we had a new "pipe" machined that extends the head away from the vertical post by another 8 inches. That worked fine. Now there is concern that the head and the table can't move far enough apart to focus with a 210mm lens. We need 60 inches from film to paper for this to work.

Should the need arise to raise the head, would it be possible to remove the focus rack assembly with negative holder and lens stage together and move it higher, or is this piece integral to the structure that goes up and down?

Is there a 184 enlarger close to Santa Barbara, CA?

Thanks.