Balls Underlanes

[DavidC]

Does anyone have any ideas on stoping balls that get stuck underlane. We have Magic Circle ball returns with the orange tire type ball lift. We did away with all the orange tires years ago and use a blue tire made by Quality. It works great for heavier balls 10lbs and up but for some 8lbs and almost all 6lb balls they don't make it back. I have tried the modification using the rubber pad from the curtain guard and putting it behind the black strap and it has helped but we still get underlanes. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[8270king]

Re: Balls Underlanes

You have Lazy Susans...

Put in Sure Piks.

Jerry

[GPS]

Re: Balls Underlanes

Dave, put in power lifts. What type pinsetter are we dealing with? I am guessing AMF. I dealt with "Magic" Circle for6 years. First off increase the speed of the ball coming back. Install smaller clutches on your ball lift.I ran 3 1/2 inch clutches on a pair of lanes but be careful not to launch the ball into orbit. I passed this idea to Dutch many years ago and it worked for him as it did for me. Take a cushion block from a 70 machine that straps to the hanger weldment and cut about 2 inches off the bottom of the rubber block. Keep the U-bolts on the other end. Secure the block to the frame of the magic circle about half way up the ball check belt. Bend the rubber block so that it creates a bulge in the ball check belt. The theory is that at 1/3 to 1/2 the way up the return the ball will have enough inertia to go past this bulge but not able to fall back down. To demonstrate its effectivness I would put a zillion balls on the return and watch the returning ball knock a ball off the round tray. Give it a shot.
Mike

[toon30s]

Re: Balls Underlanes

Try adjusting the tension of the belt above the tire. Also make sure the drive belts are not slipping. Do you have any of the "retread" black belts for the tire? Mine work great with the retreads. I like the idea of the thick rubber to keep the balls from falling back down; I'm going to try that one!!
TOON
PS If you try to speed up the ball lifts in the back, watch how the spring is on the belt up front in the Lazy Susan; if the "hook" is pointing down, eventually it will wear through the belt and mark balls.

[GPS]

Re: Balls Underlanes

Hey toon, I had that spring problem you are talking about. Drove me nuts for 3 to 4 days.

[John_Galt]

Re: Balls Underlanes

David -
I don't know much about Magic Circles, but do you have your ComputerScore consoles mounted on them where projectors or MagicScore used to be?
That's like, totally cool.
Also, please call us up with ComputerScore issues. I'm anxious to learn more about ECT and help with difficulties.
The mechanical design of Magic Circle seems a little shaky to me but I do like the idea of just whirling around the circle if your ball is on the other side!
Chaddy

[DavidC]

Re: Balls Underlanes

Gps I have the black pad from the cusion already behind the strap. It does work but on some returns I put it as low on the strap as I could get it and it works better. This will have to do until I talk the owner into getting power lifts.As for the spring hook pointing down I learned that 25 years ago and fixing alot of scratches to always have the hook pointing up. Magic we do have computerscore and we did hook the scoring counsel to the back of the ball return. If you have any problems with the system feel free to give me a call. (815)389-2238. [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/usflag.jpg[/img]