Rake sweeping out of time, and pin launching onto lane.

[JustinABowlingPlace]

I work on some nice old Brunswick A-2 pin setters. Most issues I've come across haven't been to problematic to figure out. But being I can't seem to get it to recreate the issue while i am on the machine. From what I have been told from the front counter our machine dropped the rake as the bowler threw the ball, their ball then smacked the rake before it swept. The rake proceeded to sweep and stop at the 270 position, which is when the deck decided it was time to set the pins back down. The rake then return to it's position at 90, launching the pins onto the lane.

We have had the issue before, and it doesn't constantly happen. And not even that frequently, but is an annoyance to me. We recently had our head mechanic leave. I'm kind of in the spot of knowing a fair amount over my time here, and not having a higher up to question about things I'm unfamiliar with. I have had random issues happen with the temperature in the building, but this seems more of an actual thing opposed to just random weather change affecting things.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks in advance.
Justin.

[gilesbowl]

My thinking not being able to see this would be the impact at guard causes the shotgun to unlatch allowing the rake to hang up behind tail plank then coming loose with the pressure on spring guide tube allowing rake to return to guard and pins everywhere. It is pretty cool to watch as long as it is in somebody else center

[billman]

If you can post a short video of this happening, I am sure we can help you a lot faster.

[JustinABowlingPlace]

Thanks, I will take a further look over it. I've seen it happen from the front end, as when i first started a machine did it periodically. But never when someone who was experienced enough to diagnose it was on site. So it was just one of those ghost stories about the old mechanic messing with you, mainly because the head mechanic couldn't imagine it happening. Just heard about it and assumed no one knew what they were talking about. Either he fixed it and didn't tell anyone what it was, (highly possible as he didn't want anyone knowing how to fix the machines, an attempt to secure his job in my opinion.) or it was a hiccup that worked itself out. Despite working on them for a few years, there's still so much I don't know when it comes to them. And I do my studying.

It is quite a site and funny to see, even when I'm the one working. Just have to laugh at the random things, which I kicked myself for when i asked if they'd had a pin taken all the way to approach in the ball return railway. Well after about 10mins of trying not to damage the 6balls they let pile up before saying anything, i got the pin un-pinned. Oh some leagues are just a hoot.

I will attempt to get a video of it, but i tried to recreate the action multiple ways, but have yet to get it to happen. Which is a big issue as we've yet to get a go-pro to allow us to see the elusive things that happen when no one is on the machine watching. I had thought since the ball detector reflector was slightly loose and moved a bit, maybe the ball hitting the lane cause enough movement to trigger it. But even jumping up and down I couldn't, and people have been bowling on it just fine since. I'm sure I'll hear about it happening again in a few days, and then i can spend another hour watching every movement. Hoping that one time it will happen and I will notice the difference from it's normal operation.

[mickeygm]

Had this happen at the South MKE Center. Rake was out of time, the shotgun would periodically unlock, (due to Poor Maintenance), the rake stop was out of adjustment allowing the rake to hook on the tail plank when the shotgun unlatched and would then send all the pins up the lane. Like giles said, fun to watch as long as its not yours.
Recommend rebuilding the shotgun, Shotgun C.jpg check all your rake adjustments paying special attention to the rake stop Rake Stop C.jpg

I like to run mine very close. I rebuilt the shotgun, readjusted the rake stop, (which was way out), retimed the rake and did all the other sweep adjustments. This Fixed the Problem.

As check I will cycle the machine to just where the shotgun "locks", turn off machine and unplug, put a glove on and briskly hit the front of the shotgun where it connects to the "C" lever. If it unlocks, rebuild immediately. I have seen a few mechanics add a second spring to the locking mechanism as a short term band aid but IMO, not a good one.

Adjust Rake Lowering Stop, Height & Timing .pdf Adjust Rake Sweep Shaft & Shotgun.pdf

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[JustinABowlingPlace]

Thanks for all the help everyone, it was in fact the shotgun acting out. Made adjustments to it. Seems to be running smoothly with no hiccups as of yet. But time will tell.