Garter bar and ribber

I have a garter bar and a ribber on my standard gauge. My question is how do you use the garter bar with the ribber on? Am I supposed to pull the knitting to the front of the ribber bed instead of having it between the beds or do I have to remove the ribber? The main problem is with weights on and the material between the beds where it normally goes the stitches don't want to stay in the hooks and I have a hard time getting the knitting onto the bar if it is a big piece because the ribber gets in the way and I can't reach around behind the knitting to pull it onto the bar. I really hope I don't have to remove the ribber as the book doesn't recommend taking it on and off. It's a silver reed machine. If I do have to remove the ribber can I leave the little lever feet underneath that lift the knitter bed up with the ribber off?