I'm using an Otari MX 5050 QXHD. I noticed that when I rewind or fast forward, the tape IS NOT lifted by anything and therefore runs at high speed across the heads. This worries me. I'm almost sure, that my Tascam (can't remember model but it was a professional 8 track) automatically lifted the tape whenever I rewound or fast forwarded. Or, at the very least, it gave you the option of lifting the tape for long rewinds or forwards.
There is a bar on the Otari that I can see could act as a "tape lifter" and it seems to be connected to a "cue" lever but it does not seem to work, or at least it does not lift the tape off the heads (maybe the spring is broken).
Am I wearing my heads out when I rewind and fast-forward? What can I do?