tech tips

1) Remove all equipment coverings.

2) Re-install all equipment that was removed for the winter.

3) Re-tie all perimeter pole net ropes and raise net. Inspect net for rips, tears, holes, etc. and repair as needed. Check center pole collar hook release rope for dry rot, fraying, or wear and replace if needed. Check winch cable for fraying and replace if needed.

4) Inspect all pitching machines and clean/adjust the following components (refer to your service manual for procedures on how to do this). Clean all wheels. Lubricate the variable speed pulley and adjust each machine to the fastest speed and then slow down to the desired speed. If the variable speed pulley does not open and retract then it needs to be replaced. Inspect the drive belt for wear, fraying, or dry rot and replace if needed. Lubricate the wheel shaft bearings and check for any movement in the bearings to shaft, replace if needed. Lubricate the speed adjust arm collar. Grease the left/right adjuster knob threaded rod. Lubricate the speed adjust crank handle. Lubricate the hi/low adjust handle.

5) Adjust “feeding chutes” and ball count micro switches. Verify the chute “tongue” is aligned so that the balls are delivered to the center of the pitching wheels. Clean all feeding troughs. Verify that the troughs are hung properly and that after the balls are released from the pinch roller assembly they exit the 90 degree drop without sticking in the feed chute. Check for proper spacing between the 90 degree drop and the chute, there should be a minimum of 3 ½ inches for baseball and 4 ½ inches for softball. Investigate pinch roller wheel for missing chunks or gummy texture and replace if needed. Check the pinch roller set screw and verify it is tight and installed correctly (the pinch roller wheel should not be able to spin on the motor shaft).

6) Inspect Conveyor/Distributing System and adjust the following components – Adjust belt tension on conveyor belting; there should be about 6 inches of play in the belt. Check conveyor drive belt motor pulley and belt, replace the belt if dry rot or fraying is visible. Lubricate conveyor pulley upper and lower bearings. Remove Chinese hats from the baseball and softball hoppers and clean out debris. Check distributing system for proper operation. Check gear oil on conveyor drive motor; use heavy-duty gear oil (about 21 ounces by weight).

7) Inspect Warning Light Boxes for proper operation. Replace any light bulbs and lenses if needed. Check that lens guard is installed and is in good condition. Replace any relays/logic blocks as needed. Face light boxes so that the lights are towards the batters, tighten light boxes to the mounting posts. Check all cords for fraying, bare wire, or bad connections and replace as needed. Verify circuit boards are secure and that all ground connections are clean; if corrosion is present, use a wire brush and clean it off.

8) Inspect Coin Boxes/Mechanisms for proper operation. Adjust and replace coin mechanisms and micro switches as needed. Inspect all wire leads and replace terminal connections as needed. Drop tokens and verify each machine operates properly and is throwing in the strike zone, adjust if needed. Check coin boxes for faded or missing decals and replace as needed.

9) Inspect Master Control Panel or BC-2 or MP04A1 computers for proper operation. Start and stop all machines from the panel. Verify each machine is counting down balls on the panel. Verify ball and coin count is correct.

10) Inspect warning signs for damage. Replace any signs that are missing or not legible.

11) Check roof cover over pitching machines for wear, replace if necessary.

12) Inspect all baseballs and softballs for wear. Balls which show dimple and groove wear should be replaced. We recommend beginning each season with new balls! This will ensure the most accurate pitching of all machines. Very Important!

13) Check home plate and “do not cross” line, re-paint if faded.

If you have any questions feel free to call us!

1. Turn power off leading to A/R Conveyor System and pitching machines.
   2. Place plastic bag over pitching machine, light boxes and coin boxes, ventilate bottom of bags.
   3. Remove fiberglass shroud then disconnect conveyor from hopper and place in area away from rain, snow, sleet etc.
   4. Netting System:
   The safest method to protect your net and pipe structure would be to untie the rope lanyards at every perimeter pole and let the net hang straight down from the net collar. Another method that would give you a comfortable degree of safety and saves you the job of pulling the net back up in the spring is as follows.
   a) Tie a piece of net twine to the metal ring in the net, then tie it off to the horizontal rail.
   b) Untie rope lanyards from perimeter vertical pipe, leaving untied end of rope resting on the canopy net. This will hold the net in place, yet the single strand of twine would break loose under a heavy load. Upon opening in the spring you would need to retie the rope lanyards to the vertical pipes.
2. Unplug Microprocessor power cord from outlet and remove all processor cards located in the middle of Microprocessor Box, then place cards in a safe area.

1. Place plastic bag over all pitching machines, then ventilate the bottom of each bag.
   2. Remove light boxes and place in a covered area away from direct weather. Cover up any bare wiring and place away from flooding levels.
   3. Remove fiberglass shroud then disconnect conveyor from hopper and place in area away from rain, snow, sleet, etc.
   4. Netting System: Refer to #4 of “gravity flow drain system.”
   5. Unplug Microprocessor power cord from outlet and remove all processor cards located in the middle of Microprocessor Box. Then place cards in a safe place.

1) Remove the 90-degree grease zerk from the pulley.

2) Remove the 2 set screws from the collar located on the backside of the pulley.

3) Slide the collar off the pulley (slide towards the pitching machine motor).

4) Spray Liquid Wrench into the grease zerk and set screw holes of the variable speed pulley. WD40 or other light lubricants may work, but Liquid Wrench seems to work the best.

5) Wait about 10 to 15 minutes for the Liquid Wrench to penetrate.

6) Using 2 pry bars evenly apply pressure to the backside of the pulley. Locate 1 pry bar on opposing sides of the motor shaft and use the pitching machine frame as the leverage point for your pry bars. If applying pressure does not work you may have to use a hammer or mallet and hit both pry bars at the same time. The key here is to apply pressure evenly; otherwise, the pulley will bind up on the shaft. As a last resort, apply heat to the variable speed pulley. Be careful not to overheat the motor shaft bearing and seal area.