Problem with infeed roller on a planer?

[Josh Goldsmith]

As some of you know i recently bought an older Jet 15" planer. Anyways i noticed that for the infeed roller to catch the board and pull it in i have to really push it for it to catch. After it catches it works great. I have never used a planer before this one so i don't know if that is normal. I think the infeed roller needs to be moved up a little but not sure. Looking forward to your feedback. Thanks Josh

[Tim Sproul]

There are several things that can be adjusted. The first thing I'd examine is the 'chipbreaker'. On my Jet, it is orange colored. If the 'chipbreaker' is too low, feeding wood can be difficult and I'd surmise a situation similar to what you describe might ensue.

I set my planer with the knives just a bit higher than the infeed roller and the outfeed roller is somewhere in between. I have my chipbreaker a bit higher than I probably should....I get a few chips escaping dust collection but I'm quite sure the planks won't get caught up on the chipbreaker.