PBL Conversions

[Dutch]

I'm fed up with KKR lifts [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/mad.gif[/img]

Can anyone tell me the difference between the PBL conversion & the mini conversion?

[VADistMech]

Re: PBL Conversions

Mini Kit's do not come with light ball sensors. Instead they have the spring loaded shock. Work great!

[Dutch]

Re: PBL Conversions

The full kit comes with LBS? Is that the only dif?

[RGP]

Re: PBL Conversions

Yeah. We are in the process of converting over right now. We install our 4th of 12 on Monday. The shocks work great if you set them up properly. Now they come with a newer style shock that you can adjust as it's running. We have the old style on our kkr and haven't tried the new one yet. Looks like it should work. Have you seen the new ones work King? There is also another LBS on the market by (?)that I hear works good. I'm not sure exactly how it works but it's a spring that loads as the shaft turns until it eventually hits a stop and then is force to move. Not a very good explain but a good concept I think. I will get more info and get back to you. I have the flyer at work. Anyway Pbl is the way to go. Almost nonfailing.

[Rizash]

Re: PBL Conversions

I've never seen kicker lifts... or true PBLs for that matter.... Stahls Tuffy air exits [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img] VERY good upgrade for the PBL setup... I dont know how bad kickers are, or how bad original PBLs are... but if it wasnt for some of the welded parts on our returns... (welded paddle arm parts, etc...) we would have MAYBE one ball call a month at most.... only 3 times we ever get ball calls anymore.... 1. misadjusted or REALLY filthy lift belt... 2. pin sitting sideways in front of the ball door (out of paddle range) 3. if a pin gets into the return and stands in the ball exit.... Thats about it [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img] If you havent seen these systems... you really should. I'd love to see any other type of ball return, see how they work.... I'm clueless!

[Dutch]

Re: PBL Conversions

Thanks guys!

[8270king]

Re: PBL Conversions

HUMPBACK DUTCHERRRRRRRRRRRRRR

[felix]

Re: PBL Conversions

Dutch; has had Humpty Dumpties? And Pbl's?
Just doesn't like the sensor? [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img] :p

[old-school-mechanic]

Re: PBL Conversions

I have put up with kicker wheels, light ball sensers, & even had 1 with a micro switch the ball activated. We put in hump backs 3 years ago. Other then a seperation problem the first year. Have had no trouble & hardly any ball calls. Another suggestion would be to put reduction pullies on your ball paddles. Increases the pushing power & slows down the paddles, Anyone interested in complete set's of kicker wheels :-)

[8270king]

Re: PBL Conversions

I like LBS

[VADistMech]

Re: PBL Conversions

"There is also another LBS on the market by (?)that I hear works good."

This is from Lifelong Engineering. We have one that we just put in along with the new belt and rocket rails. Seem to be doing OK. I'll see if I can take a pic.

[Dutch]

Re: PBL Conversions

I’ve worked with KKR’s, PBL’s & Humpy’s. I like the PBL best & the LBS is no mystery to me at all. I know how to adjust them & even modify them to make them run better. The main mod to the LBS is to make all of the cams steeper, especially the dropdowns.

The trick to PBL’s is to mix & match technology from different manufacturers;

Lower links from Lifelong.

Belts from AMF. (black)

Track covers from Stahl’s. (thick)

[old-school-mechanic]

Re: PBL Conversions

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dutch:
[QB]I’ve worked with KKR’s, PBL’s & Humpy’s. I like the PBL best & the LBS is no mystery to me at all. I know how to adjust them & even modify them to make them run better. The main mod to the LBS is to make all of the cams steeper, especially the dropdowns.

The trick to PBL’s is to mix & match technology from different manufacturers;

Lower links from Lifelong.

[img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/eek.gif[/img] I'd like to hear why no one seems to like the (humpy's) as you call them. It might come about in my center down the road. They are so simple & yet so productive. No modifying or mix & matching.]

[MCSS]

Re: PBL Conversions

Originally posted by old-school-mechanic:
I'd like to hear why no one seems to like the (humpy's) as you call them. It might come about in my center down the road. They are so simple & yet so productive. No modifying or mix & matching.][/QB]

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I have 32 lanes with PBL's. Which we have had problems with balls slipping. We looked at the humpback to convert would be $11,600. So we decided to try the stahls thick rail covers on a pair to see how they work. They work very well, have not had a ball slip yet. So we spent $1200 to do all 32 lanes. So why would you want to spend that kind of money when there is a cheaper fix. So with that money we saved we got upgrades for other areas in our center.

I could understand if you had kickers and wanted to convert to PBL or Humpback, not knowing the price of the PBL conversion I don't know which one would be a better choice.

Mike

[Dutch]

Re: PBL Conversions

The most common problem with Humpy’s is belt splitting. Lifelong has improved their belt several times since they 1st came out. Whether this problem has been totally eliminated, I don’t know.

At Reno Hilton, a super high lineage house, they’ve had a problem with lower pulley spokes shattering. This may be unique to Hilton (a lot of things are) or it could be something that wouldn’t show up in the average lineage house for 15 – 20 yrs.

I don't dislike the Humpy. I just like PBL's more. Probably because I'm more comfortable with them.