Mitchell reported on pages 10-25,26
I found that I could not b en d down t o the MET level . I could
not j us t bring my body forward like I could in the t raining
suit and get down to the MET . I had to bend my knees or get
down on a knee to reach things low on the MET such as the
weigh bags down on the side , or the camera retaining clips
on the MET . It was more difficult for me to bend down for
them.
So I would say that yes the crew reported difficulties.
Those difficulties don't seem to have made it into the mission report
https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/a14/A14_MissionReport.pdf (which is searchable)
Page 3-16
"The modular equipment transporter ( described in appendix A, section
A.2.l and shown in fig. 3- 7) was deployed at the beginning of the
first extravehicular activity. Deployment was impeded by the thermal
blanket which restrained the modular equipment transporter from rotating
down from the bottom of the modular equipment stowage assembly. The crew
released the transporter by pulling the upper pip-pins and allowing the
transporter and thermal blanket to fall freely to the lunar surface. The
thermal blanket was easily discarded and erection of the transporter went
as planned. The tires had inflated as expected. Equipment was loaded on
the transporter without difficulty. Two of the three pieces of Velcro
which held the lunar maps on the transporter handles came off at the beginning
of the first extravehicular activity. These pieces had been
glued on a surface having a different finish than the one to which the
Velcro adhered.
The modular equipment transporter stability was adequate during both
traverses. Rotation in roll was felt by the crewman through the handle
but was easily restrained by using a tighter grip if the rotation sensed
was excessive. The jointed legs in the front of the transporter operated
as expected in that they flexed when hit and would spring back to the
vertical position readily. The smooth rubber tires threw no noticeable
dust. No dust was noted on the wheel fenders or on top of the metal
frame of the transporter.
The modular equipment transporter was carried by both crewmen
at one point in the second extravehicular activity to reduce the effort
required for one crewman to pull the vehicle. This was done for a short
period of time because it was believed to be more effective when traveling
over certain types of terrain."
9-11
"The little dust that accumulated on the modular equipment transporter could easily
be removed by brushing . "
9-13-14
"Modular equipment transporter - The modular equipment transporter
deployed satisfactorily from the lunar module except as previously noted.
The spring tension on the retaining clips was sufficient to hold all the
equipment on the modular equipment transporter during lunar surface activities.
However, with the transporter unloaded, the retaining springs
have sufficient tension to lift it clear of the lunar s urface when placing
equipment in stowage locations. This was not noticed after the
transporter was fully loaded.
The wheels did not kick up or stir up as much dust as expected before
the flight. Very little dust accumulated on the modular equipment
transporter.
The modular equipment transporter was stable, easily pulled, and
proved to be a very handy device for both extravehicular activities .
Only at maximum speeds did the transport er evidence any instability
and, then , only because of rough terrain. This instability was easy to
control by hand motion on the triangular-shaped tongue .
Hand tool carrier. - The hand tool carrier mated to the modular
equipment transporter well, and was adequately retained by the hand tool
carrier retaining clip . All stowage areas except the deep pocket were
acceptable. This pocket was very difficult to reach when standing adjacent
to the modular equipment transporter. It is too deep for one to
easily retrieve small items. With this exception, the hand tool carrier
performed satisfactorily."
