Actually it's probably more a problem with the operator.
I have never used the power-feed facility on this machine, but have used it to cut threads.
I had reason to machine a longish shaft today, but couldn't get it to engage the feedscrew shaft.
As far as I know, the procedure is just the same as setting up to cut threads, but you move the feedscrew/leadscrew lever on top of the gear box to the feedscrew position.
Say I was cutting 20TPI threads, and I moved the leadscrew/feedscrew lever to feedscrew, the leadscrew should stop and the leadscrew should turn giving me a feed of 0.0153 thou per revolution of the chuck.
Or am I missing something ?
I am aware that all the changes on the gearbox have to be carried out with the lathe running and the gear train engaged.