Humpback Question

[MJA]

Our center is thinking about installing Humpbacks (we have kickers now). I talked to someone who works for AMF about his opinion on the Humpback. He said that there is quite a lot of force when the belt hits the ball and forces it up the rail. He described it as a loud "thump" each time the ball goes in the door. He said there is too much pressure on the uprail and this will cause problems in the future.

He was obviously pushing the PBL as superior. Is he just blowing smoke or does the "too much pressure" argument have merit? Thanks a lot.

[ModelTech]

Re: Humpback Question

I asked my chief about that one. Here's what she said:

"We bought one to try out. Worked great, but the expense to replace the belt wasn't worth it. We have VERY few ball problems, because those PBL's are adjusted right , and just the 6lb balls have a problem making over to the door. That's why we shim the bounce plates..."

They WORK, but they're expensive, as I understand it. We have 82-30's, by the way.

Hope that helps a bit, Wrench Man! [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]

Doug

[Louie_IV]

Re: Humpback Question

There is a thump when the belt contacts the ball. As far as how much thump, it matters how the humpy is adjusted and the angle of the ball lift and uprails. This could cause a problem in the future with the bottom rail brackets breaking or coming loose. No way to tell for sure until the humpback has been in service for 5-10 years. I wonder if there is a way to make something that would absorb some of that shock? [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/confused.gif[/img]

Louie [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cool.gif[/img]

[Coors]

Re: Humpback Question

my first humpy turned 3 this year. its growin like a weed...hehe. but it was gettin lonely so i got two more to keep it company, and then another two. well, now i got 11 more humpbacks on their way [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]

lmao, a fellow mech asked what kind of kicker roller/filler pad deals i was gonna try this year. i said humpbacks.

[8270king]

Re: Humpback Question

The Humpback is the answer.

It has been proven.

You can convert a pair in 4 hours.

To put in a PBL takes takes much more work.

JK

[lifelong]

Re: Humpback Question

AMF sales reps can only sell you what they have to offer. They do not offer HUMPBACKS or they would be selling them like virtually every distributor in the country does! The only way a clunk of any type can happen is if the ball lift is not at the right height. The lift arm (pad) should first be shimmed even with the door weldment rings at the bottom. At the top there should always be three spacers (washers) where it bolts onto the rail bracket (for clearance of the up rails). The lower section of the up rails should have our hard urethane ends (centers ball easily). Lower the ball lift as low as it will go while still letting the ball in and it will work smooth as silk every time, regardless of oil condition. Very simple to install, works 100% and has a ten year warranty. Adjusting the system as mentioned is easy and will prevent clunking while assuring a smooth operation. As you can see by the attached letter from AMF to their centers, they will buy the best for themselves while selling you PBL's. Why?

JR
Owner
Lifelong Engineering and Development, Inc.

Image of letter removed as requested by author.

[Mike Stalker]

Re: Humpback Question

I do believe that Memo speaks volumes.

If you are tired of PBL's then this is your answer. PBL's are easy to maintain but I believe that the humpback is (set it and forget it).

[Bill F.]

Re: Humpback Question

Humpbacks are worth the investment. My first one took awhile to get everything adjusted right (pad,shock,height) but once i did, eliminated ball calls. Wish i had more.

[lanemech]

Re: Humpback Question

I haven't used humpbacks so I don't know how well they work. However, I have had the Gripper PBL kit installed in my center and it works great. I haven't had a ball call since it was installed. It took me an hour to replace it. AMF never had an answer to humpbacks until this kit came out.

[Mike Stalker]

Re: Humpback Question

AMF never had an answer because they took too long of a vacation at Reseach and Developement.

If you rest on your laurels, everyone else will pass you up!

[misterx]

Re: Humpback Question

I have PBL conversions and I love them. I have never had any luck at all with humpbacks. There were 2 humpbacks in use at my current center when I took over and I have since removed them. I am running mini PBL's with the Stahl's thick lift rail cover and I don't have any ball return problems to speak of at all. I tried one of the AMF conversions and it's OK although I think that it's a little pricey though.

[8270king]

Re: Humpback Question

Originally posted by lanemech:
I haven't used humpbacks so I don't know how well they work. However, I have had the Gripper PBL kit installed in my center and it works great. I haven't had a ball call since it was installed. It took me an hour to replace it. AMF never had an answer to humpbacks until this kit came out.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">AMF still does not have an answer to Huumpbacks.......I have wrenched on both......and the Humpback system is better than PBL.....fewer moving parts.....if you want more moving parts and calls....work on A/2's for a while.

JK

[the old dirt man]

Re: Humpback Question

the only problem I have with the humpbacks is the special made parts they have like the ball lift belt that you can't get from anybody else,and other things you can't get from anybody else.
what happens if they go out of business! [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/eek.gif[/img]
we had dacos scoring and they went under about 3 years later! we were screwed! couldn't get any replacements for nothing! ended up replacing all the scoring! [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/mad.gif[/img] humpbacks may be great,but it's something to think about!
save your old kicker parts! [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]

[ModelTech]

Re: Humpback Question

If King says the Humpback is the answer, That's good enough for me...

My chief, however, says parts are too expensive...

[img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/frown.gif[/img]

We don't have ball problems, tho', so if it ain't broke...

Doug

[SVLFever]

Re: Humpback Question

AMF still does not have an answer to Huumpbacks.......I have wrenched on both......and the Humpback system is better than PBL.....fewer moving parts.....if you want more moving parts and calls....work on A/2's for a while.

JK

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I also have worked on both and the AMF Gripper Kit works just as well.

Fever [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/usflag.jpg[/img]