Ball booster

[Knowledge_is_key]

Today I took out a ball booster, rebuilt and cleaned it and put it back in but now for some reason it's to high up and does not contact the balls. Now I don't know what could of caused it to sit higher. All the hardware that held it up is the same. All I did was change ssome spacers between the booster and bracket o center it. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to lower it a bit so it contacts the balls?

[Pinsetterbetter]

Did you change the booster wheel???

[Knowledge_is_key]

Yes

[wepauls]

ON THE SIDE FRAMS YOU WILL FIND U bolts two each side lusen a little to lower booster untel tire is resting on ball

[Knowledge_is_key]

Ok will do wepauls. Thanks. Never knew that before.

[Steve Stafford (JBEES)]

Or you could do something like this...



I removed the rear support bolts and spacers so the threaded rod couplings could be used to raise and lower the booster. That way of the booster died during bowling, it could be quickly raised out of the way until you had a chance to take it out.

[Pinsetterbetter]

Mine are from Zot and are built to do the same thing. Works out great if you lose a motor. Steve, is that one of your conversions??? Good Idea!!

[Steve Stafford (JBEES)]

Yep...but it was inspired by the Zot setup. Roger comes up with some great ideas...

[Carl D]

Or you could do something like this...



I removed the rear support bolts and spacers so the threaded rod couplings could be used to raise and lower the booster. That way of the booster died during bowling, it could be quickly raised out of the way until you had a chance to take it out.

Steve, have you tried it yet with the ball booster lifted up so the balls go straight through?

You may find you have to put some sort of 'guard rail' on the even lane side between the front and rear frame legs to stop the balls coming off the track after they turn the corner from the odd lane and then landing on the even lane pindeck.

Just looking at your picture again... if you have the Y switch spring loaded to stay on the odd lane side then the 'guard rail' may not be needed? The centre I worked at several years ago had the Y switches spring loaded to stay on the even lane side for some reason. I've always thought the odd lane side would be better. Especially for light balls.

[wepauls]

IT allways best aline y switch first be for installing booster

[Steve Stafford (JBEES)]

If the Y switch is adjusted properly (not saying that you do not know how to do that), the ball will stay on the track...even with the booster raised. The issue is that the Y switch tends to change its "adjustment" over time as the stop bracket will bend. This is why I have gone to carriage bolts instead of the "bumpers" from Brunswick. They adjust very quickly and allow for a certain amount of bend to occur over time before needing to "bend" the stop bracket again. But...to answer your question if I have tried it with it raised...yep. Too many times.

[SoCalTom]

The issue is that the Y switch tends to change its "adjustment" over time as the stop bracket will bend. This is why I have gone to carriage bolts instead of the "bumpers" from Brunswick. They adjust very quickly and allow for a certain amount of bend to occur over time before needing to "bend" the stop bracket again.

This is the idea that Steve is talking about.....



And, in a practical application.....



Once the "Y" switch is in alignment, adjust the carriage bolts to smooth out the ball transfer.