Problem with Bert's planner reels

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I sold my boat last year and have been fishing on a friends boat a lot. He has Bert's manual reels on his planner mast and they're a P-I-A! Depending on whether you're reeling in or out, the tension knobs continually tighten or loosen(sometimes fall off) and you have to constantly mess with them.  I always had Big Jon's and never had this problem.  

Anyone have any idea what's wrong or is that just a trait of Bert's?

Thanks.