KICKER QUICK FIXES

[Tablejam]

Just wondering, let's say you've got a kicker that just won't roll the ball in the door all the way, and everything is tight and centered, the starter pad moves without binding, nothing is broken or excessively worn, and the pit is in good shape and you try different kickers and they all do the same thing, the ball spins half way in the door but if you put baby powder on it (which I only use as a last resort), it works for a while until the powder comes off then balls spin there again. Is there something that can be done while they are still bowling on that lane to make it work, something to make it work for a long time? I'm sure I'm not the first one to say that it is EXTREMELY IRRITATING when you've had to deal with the "spinning ball syndrome" and you try this and you try that and you try this again and you feel like you are not getting anywhere with it and it becomes very frustrating. ANY ideas would be much appreciated- there's gotta be a simple-quick solution to this phenomenon. Thanks [img]/content/btubb/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/laugh.gif[/img]

[Tablejam]

Re: KICKER QUICK FIXES

I would like to add that this happens on a lane in an "all-of-a-sudden" manner, which is to say there were previously no problems on it- one thing I think might be the cause is too much oil on the lanes, but if that were the case, this would start happening on more than one lane.

[Tablejam]

Re: KICKER QUICK FIXES

I know the ultimate solution is a PBL but that is not practical at this time. Until then I can only dream about it.

[Brunsamf]

Re: KICKER QUICK FIXES

Is the filler plate tight? Do you have an adjustment for tension on the kickers like a diamond link chain with a spring hooked to the belt pulley idler arms that runs up and over the cross shaft and hooked to a strap with notches in it to hook the chain?

[Tablejam]

Re: KICKER QUICK FIXES

Both front and rear filler plates are centered and tight and there is an adjustable chain hooked to the kicker tensioner arm, already tried adjusting the tension but no help.

[Tablejam]

Re: KICKER QUICK FIXES

forgot to mention, chain and spring for adjusting tension

[Steve Stafford (JBEES)]

Re: KICKER QUICK FIXES

Is the bumper still on? If the bumper comes off, the kicker will be too far forward and have trouble getting the ball in. This will show up as an "all of a sudden" problem.

[Tablejam]

Re: KICKER QUICK FIXES

yes, the bumper is still in place and is the correct one

[Clutch Plate]

Re: KICKER QUICK FIXES

Table Jam, it sounds like the ball may be hitting the side of the start pad. Get on the macine and look down the uprails, is the start pad assy. sticking out beyond black guide rubber on bottom segment? If so it will need to be pulled out and rebent.

Also make sure ball lift isnt too low.

You said that youve tried different kickers. Have you tried Murreys? I swear by them.

[Clutch Plate]

Re: KICKER QUICK FIXES

One more thing. Have you replaced your start pad. Hopefully you use the rubber ones only (AMF sells a good one)the urethane ones wont grab balls and they will just spin.

[Tablejam]

Re: KICKER QUICK FIXES

the position of the starter pad is correct- it does not stick out past the rubber in the front filler and the starter pad is an AMF one. Since we only have AMF kickers, that is all I have to choose from, switching between the round gray and round orange , and inverted green ( which will usually cure this but did not help) I've heard the white round Murray and Black round Stahl's kickers are good but that just is not paractical at this time because I do not have any of those and I need to get this working ASAP! Thank you though.

[Tablejam]

Re: KICKER QUICK FIXES

If this is a "kicker" issue then I am probably screwed. But what doesn't make sense is the AMF ones, whether they are the gray, orange or green have ALWAYS worked so that is what I have used, because usually when this has happened before it was an issue with the pit or filler plate or ball lift height or broken segment, etc. But all those things check out so this time I am kind of mystified as to what is causing this.

[willey]

Re: KICKER QUICK FIXES

Have you tried taking out the bottom filler plate and changing it,if you have a spare,I have seen the rubber strip bulge about where the strengthener in the plate is i.e; about half way in on each side.What can happen is most balls go through alright but occassionally one particular ball wont,be it a house ball or private ball,usually heavier balls.I have seen the same persons ball every week get stuck on diferent lanes,with nothing wrong with the ball but I later found the problem with the strips which had been replaced with generic ones bulging on a few pairs.
willey

[Alan Meyers]

Re: KICKER QUICK FIXES

Make sure that the rubber bumper on the large filler pad is not hard. That bumper must be soft so the ball can pivot on it while the kicker twists the ball into the door. If the kicker is spinning the ball , that means the kicker is doing it's job. See where the ball is getting stuck. Is it stopping when it touches the starter pad or when it is about halfway in the door ? That should tell you where your problem is. If the ball stops halfway in the door, I would look at the large rubber bumper. If it stops at the starter pad, it's probably sticking out too far at the bottom.

I just re-read your post and you said the ball is spinning halfway in the door...look at the large bumper first.

Good luck and let us know what happens.

[SHAW]

Re: KICKER QUICK FIXES

Take a look at your ball lift height. If it is too low it will prevent bigger balls from entering the exit. Just turn it a couple of turns at a time. You don't want to over compensate, for the smaller ones won't return.