Balls stuck on the uprails

[Casey]

I have a pair that the balls get stuck about 6-8 inches up on the rails. The lift belt is running, ball is just sitting there. It is not a yo-yo or oily ball problem. The ball just sits there motionless, not spinning. I have a vantage blue belt on there. wondering if it has concaved a bit and not making enough contact with the ball? I'm waiting on a new belt. I've repositioned the rails 3x now with the same results. gotta be the belt right?

[MCSS]

Re: Balls stuck on the uprails

If the ball is not spinning it's the belt. I have tried those blue belts with out any luck. I like the new AMF black belt.

I would also suggest getting the sthals thick rail covers. They should take care of any spinning balls or yo-yo's.

You may also check and make sure the ball lift is low enough. I set all mine to 1/8 inch from the belt to the ball.

Mike

[JimDorsin]

Re: Balls stuck on the uprails

MC is right, I have used the Stahls complete cover as well, and live by them. The Stahls lift belt, in my opinion, is the best in the business. I also shim out bottom bracket that the uprails connect to about 3/8 of an inch.

[Casey]

Re: Balls stuck on the uprails

I've got thicker white covers on the lower half portion of the lift...would those be the stahls? I had some laying around with no labels/part numbers and installed them on all machines. I'm still hanging up on this one pair. This belt is going to the trash and a new amf belt put on. The vantage has been on for over a year with no problems. This just started 2 weeks ago with some regularity. I'm assuming that the belt has worn out. No other adjustments seems to solve the problem.

[JimDorsin]

Re: Balls stuck on the uprails

The Stahls I get now are pink, but they may have changed at somepoint, I dont know. They are also 1 peice that covers the entire uprail, easy to install, they just slip right on.(they are a bit thicker than the blown on Brunswick stuff) I have heard of people cutting them in half and using them on the bottom only as well.

[Don49er]

Re: Balls stuck on the uprails

If not the belt....check to see if the bolts/allen screws are loose on your lower pulley.If they're loose--the pulley will just spin and wont pull any balls up the rails.

[misterx]

Re: Balls stuck on the uprails

I totally agree, replace of the blue belt with the black AMF model and install the thick rail covers which are available through Stahl's and JCP. I do however have one further suggestion, also install the larger 4" clutch pulleys to slow down the ball lift a bit as the ball will sometimes go airbourne at the top when using the thick covers.

[the old dirt man]

Re: Balls stuck on the uprails

MISTERX,
you brought up a interesting question for some!
what clutch pulley makes the ball lift run slower or faster?
a larger pulley faster??
a smaller pulley slower??
a larger pulley slower??
a smaller pulley faster??
also how many different sized pulleys are there!

[toon30s]

Re: Balls stuck on the uprails

Dirt, the smaller ones make the lift go faster. There are 3 sizes, $', 4 1/2", and 5". I prefer the 5", slower means less replacing bearings. Sorry, no parts book here for numbers, but Vantage and AMF both list all 3 (I think).

[*70*PinMonkey]

Re: Balls stuck on the uprails

I use the 5''sheave with Vantage's 114'' inch belts to make it as slow as possible. I had a rash of above ground rocket launched balls, and this fixed it. Theres no need for a ball to go flying up the PBLs that fast, so when you can, this is the method i would suggest.

[JimDorsin]

Re: Balls stuck on the uprails

I too, prefer the 5 inch pulleys. Slower is better, less wear, less chance for the belt to slip agenst the ball in heavy oil conditions.

[Casey]

Re: Balls stuck on the uprails

I swapped the belt with a new AMF belt. So far so good. I threw enough balls on it to wear myself out with no problems. But once an open play bowler gets put on there I'm sure thats when the problem will occur. Thanks for the input.

[AMFDOCTOR]

Re: Balls stuck on the uprails

Casey:
If by chance you have any problems with the black AMF belt, take some alchol and clean the entire belt. Next take some sand paper and go over the entire belt a few times. The reason being I ran into a bunch of them that the release agent on them and the balls just slipped on them. In response to the question about the different sizes of drive pulleys, Toon's is right about the two different sizes, but there was also a 3" pulley that was made for the machines that had the 14.5rpm motors too. As for the speed of the belt and the effect it has on the bearings... if you use a good quality grease when repacking the bearings, you should get at least 3-4 years on the bearings no matter what speed you run. I've got the 4" pulleys on all my machines and they were rebuilt about three years ago and no failures yet. Also one side note for the adventurous types. Enviro Bushings makes a ball lift bearing replacement out of his material. You may laugh or question this, but I have a lift with these units in the upper yoke, running 4" drive pulleys, for three years now and there is no sign of any failure to this date. I also have another house that has two kickers running with NO ball bearings in them for two years now and no problems with them. I'm going to get adventurous and try and do a whole lift in the next few weeks.

Tony any word about the machine.

AMF DOCTOR
The doctor makes house calls.

[Brunsamf]

Re: Balls stuck on the uprails

I have found that the tan Brunswick lift rod cover works the best. It is also the least expensive.

[Brunsamf]

Re: Balls stuck on the uprails

The Old Dirt Man is pulling your leg. He has repaired EVERY pinspotter/pinsetter ever made, I would presume. From 4400's to the Otis elevator green.