Humpback conversion

[racelanes]

Does anyone know the current price on a humpback system? Converting a pair from kicker to humpback
Thanks

[8270king]

http://www.bowlingproducts.com/

$896.10

[Bowling_Bias]

You'll be really happy with the difference... we used to have kickers and they were nothing but trouble as I'm sure you know... when you are modifying the ball return for the lower mounting bracket, take your time and make sure that the new bolt holes are aligned properly so that the upper and lower brackets are plumb to one another. Once you have the humpback installed and the basic adjustments done, give the folks at lifelong a call to go over fine tuning the adjustments live on the phone with them, it will save you some head-scratching. I love the humpbacks and they are extremely reliable, but the initial adjustments can be a pain to get just right. But once they are right, you'll have no more ball calls...

[racelanes]

I like the idea of this system. I have never ran them but im sure its a solid design. I spent all night watching all the vids and going over the manual. The only thing I have heard is the belts fall apart? Can anyone shed light on this? I hate to spend $900 a pair (Im installing 3 centers 40 pair) and the belts fall apart.

what are the pros and cons to this system and life long?
Does any other co supply the belts? LL seems to be a small one man show if he
can no longer supply parts in 10-15 years then what?
we will always have amf suppliers.

Also are the kits supplied whit rocket rails or is that a extra cost?

Lots of things to consider when buying so many for all my centers.
one thing is for sure one way or another this summer the kickers are leaving lol !

Thanks
Dan

[rivmike]

The mini pbl's are good, get the rings, the super slow padle pully ,spring shock, and gum rubber rail covers from Stahl's and the regular black amf belt and they work perfect. ( no lots of $100 belts)

[Tablejam]

The mini pbl's are good, get the rings, the super slow padle pully ,spring shock, and gum rubber rail covers from Stahl's and the regular black amf belt and they work perfect. ( no lots of $100 belts)

The Stahl's version comes with their tuffy balldoors (awesome).

[8270king]

The belts can split - especially if installed incorrectly

If installed correctly - I would guess belts last 3-5 years - some less - some longer

If you are trying to install PBL (mini or full) in a narrow exit - good luck!

Bottom line - they both return balls well - and pbl's are not maintenance free either

If you have narrow exits Humpbacks are the way to go

[Pietenpol]

There were issues with the earlier belts. Newer belts are much better and they are very good with customer service...at least in my experiences with them.

[Bowling_Bias]

what are the pros and cons to this system and life long?
Does any other co supply the belts? LL seems to be a small one man show if he
can no longer supply parts in 10-15 years then what?
we will always have amf suppliers.

I would say the pros are that there are very few parts and once adjusted, they just run and run. We've had the humpbacks for 10 years now. I only have 12 machines, and I had to replace 1 belt 3 years ago. It cracked across the middle of the hump, which as mentioned above was an issue that they have resolved.

I also have their light ball clutch and I don't have any light/heavy ball issues. I have the rocket rails, and I never have balls stuck slipping on the rails.

The only cons I have is that the adjustments are a bit tedious. That being said, once they are adjusted they don't seem to go out of adjustment. I really can't give any other cons as my returns are extremely reliable, I don't even remember the last time I had a ball call.

The only ball return issues I've had for the last couple of years are a couple of blown wheel bearings, lol... wish those things were better, but that's not lifelong's fault... I've never used PBLs so I can't say what the differences are.

Lifelong has been around for quite a while. I'm really not sure what their long-term outlook is, but I would hope that they have enough systems installed to make it worth it for someone to buy the company or make replacement belts. I would be really bummed out if they closed shop. And I agree, customer service is top rate.

[keeth]

Ed Fox at EBN also has a replacement belt available so you do have a choice in belts if Lifelong should close or you just wish to shop around.

[toon30s]

I have done a Humpy install, and I too will give them a thumbs up!! I have also installed 20 lanes of light PBLs and I love them as well. As close to maintenence free as you can get, once the initial adjustments are made. Someone said to be sure that your brackets are paralell, THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!!! My center got PBLs from another center and they did not work well until I went back and got the brackets right. If the lift binds when it is supposed to move, the balls may or may not come back. You will love tossing your kickers!!

[Chapmansbowling]

We still run kickers at the center I am at now, 40 lanes and actually run fairly well considering what they are. Have converted machines to humpback from kicker and PBL installations at other centers, Once you set them you pretty well forget them. Its almost a bullet proof system eliminating almost all moving parts other than the rudder and ball lift itself.