Question re PaceMaster treadmill

Hi,
I recently purchased a PaceMaster treadmill, Gold Elite model, for
working out at moderate levels (usually below five mph, for around 30-40
minutes per day, six days a week). In general, I am well pleased with
it, and I'm sure it will provide plenty of exercise. This unit is a
replacement for a Trimline 4200 which I used for some 10 years, so I am
used to working out on a treadmill and have a fairly regular morning
workout schedule.

Although the unit runs fine, I have a problem during the walking phase
of my workouts (generally during warm-up and cool down). The left and
right side handles (2-inch diameter side guardrails) on the unit extend
rearwardly and downwardly from the control panel to a point on the base
about 2/3 rd back, and they are positioned and contoured such that,
unless I am careful to stay fairly far back on the belt and stay close
to the center of the belt when walking, my hands tend to hit or brush
against one or the other of the side guardrails. (There is no problem
when running, when my arms are bent.) - It's somewhat irritating and
distracting, since I don't like the idea of having to concentrate on
staying in one particular "sweet spot" area on the belt when walking.
Also, the "sweet spot" is far enough back, toward the rear of the unit,
that it is fairly near the rear roller, creating a possible safety
hazard if I lost my footing, etc. When I asked my dealer about the
problem, he completely dismissed it and seemed to imply that it was my
fault for not using the machine correctly.
Has anyone else had a similar experience, and does anyone have a
suggestion for "fixing" the problem? One possible solution may be to
simply remove one or both of the side guard rails. - Since the control
panel is mounted on two fairly sturdy upright posts (rectangular in
cross-section) at the front of the unit, I think that the side rails may
not be needed to support the control panel. However, I have some
concern that this might affect the warranty; e.g., if the control panel
became damaged in use from vibration or the like it could be blamed on
my mod.

Thanks for any comments or suggestions.

Jim Cate