Installs

[theykeeponrunnin]

Just a short question, since I have never seen a complete install done from scratch I am curious. After the lanes are put in do they install the pit conveyer level and then set the elevator the proper height(which I assume would be the way) or do they put the pit conveyor in afterwards. I know sometimes I have had to lower the rear of the conveyor to get pins come off. I have seen ball wheels at least 3/4 of an inch above the ball wheel including the carpet.

Isn't the elevator supposed to be set with the ball wheel even or just above the rear clamping plate.

[Kanga (James)]

The pit height needs to be set according to the minimum allowed distance from the top of the pin deck to the top of the pit board. You can set the rear of the pit frame slightly lower to increase pin movement.

After the pit conveyor is set you can install the elevator. You don't want the ball wheel level with rear of the pit conveyor. You want at least 3/16" drop.

If you're unlucky enough to have the older elevators you need to install the pit conveyor last because of the location of the mounting holes within the elevator feet. There might be a better way, but I had to set the height of the conveyor without securing it, set the elevator height, then remove the pit frame to access the elevator feet, then reinstall the pit conveyor.

[Ted]

You'll find stacks of flat washers under the pit frame and elevator frame. Once the front is set to 13 1/2" from the lane to the top of the washers on each side,
LaneToFrontPit.jpg we use a level from the front studs to back to add 1 washer thickness of fall front to back. Then stack the elevator 2 washers less then the ones in the back of the pit frame. Place the elevator onto the studs with a solid wheel hand truck.

[Ted]

You'll find stacks of flat washers under the pit frame and elevator frame. Once the front is set to 13 1/2" from the lane to the top of the washers on each side,
LaneToFrontPit.jpg we use a level from the front studs to back to reduce by 1 washer thickness of fall front to back. Then stack the elevator 2 washers less then the ones in the back of the pit frame. Place the elevator onto the studs with a solid wheel hand truck.

[theykeeponrunnin]

The front is at the right height on these. I guess I misprinted my question above. Some of the pitconveyor's plus the carpet is 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch above the ballwheel not below. That is why I was curious if the elevators weren't installed at the right height. Right now most of the pitconveyors have 2 or 3 washers under the rear. When I used a level on the side rails of the top pitconveyor frame they were almost level.

just seems to me the whole rear of the pitconveyor is too high according to the mauals.

[Steve Stafford (JBEES)]

Just because the manual states to do something a certain way does not mean that you should follow it. There are many adjustments/procedures included in manuals that don't always apply. A good example is how to change a 1:1...many mechanics do not follow the gear box dis-assembly manual as it will take about 6-8 hours. There is a better way developed over the years that will allow the average mechanic to change it in about 3 hours. So the manual is not always the answer you might need.

In this case, you would want to be sure the elevator is low enough to get a clean drop off of the ball onto the ball wheel...but you don't want it so low that the upper pit frame will hit a ball that is on the ball wheel when the upper pit frame reaches its farthest rearward movement. That is not discussed in the adjustment. They just state to set it to 3/16". The height adjustment of the lift rods can effect the way the pit frame will interact with the ball and may cause you to need to adjust your pit height different than the machine next to it. Lot's of things involved here...but if you are happy with the fall off onto the ball wheel and the upper pit frame is not hitting any ball that might be on the ball wheel...you are golden. Don't worry too much about what the manual states.