AMF GRIPPER BALL RETURN Instruction Manual

400-090-007 Rev. A 1
Upper Tension Bracket
Upper Rails:
neoprene rubber
Lower Tension
Bracket
GRIPPER BALL RETURN KIT INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
The Gripper Ball Return Kit was designed to
significantly improve the performance of the
Positive Ball Lift (PBL) with today’s heavily
oiled lanes. The kit consists of a new ball lift
belt, an adjustable tension bracket, upper and
lower rail covers, thimbles, and mounting
hardware. The materials in the rail covers,
belt, and thimbles are specially formulated for
long-lasting, reliable operation regardless of
the amount of oil on the lanes.
Many bowling center mechanics have
adjusted, shimmed, or otherwise modified
their ball lifts in an effort to minimize “yo-yoing”
and slippage problems created by today’s
heavy oil conditions. It is very important that
all such modifications be removed prior to
installing the Gripper Ball Return Kit, and
that the ball lift is adjusted in accordance
with these instructions. Failure to do so
can result in less than optimal
performance.
REMOVE POWER FROM THE PINSPOTTERS BEFORE
STARTING THIS PROCEDURE.
1. Remove the PBL assembly in accordance with the instructions in your Pinspotter
Manual.
2. Remove the tension from the ball lift belt.
3. Remove the shafts from the upper and lower tensioner support brackets (if
necessary, use a non-marring mallet), and then remove the belt.
4. Remove the upper support bracket by drilling out the rivets on each side of the
bracket using a 1/4-inch drill bit. An alternate method is to use a chisel to knock off
the rivets.
5. Install the new upper tensioner bracket using 1/4-20 x 2-1/4-inch screws, washers,
and lock nuts. Use washers between the bracket and the head of the screw as well
as between the bracket and the lock nut. Place the bracket in its lowest position
(see Figure 2) making sure that the bracket is square and aligned with the other
components on the PBL, and tighten the screws.
Figure 1, PBL with Gripper Kit Installed

Gripper Ball Return Kit Installation Instructions
400-090-007 Rev. A 2
Note: In extreme oil conditions, it may be necessary
to position the ball lift closer to the track rails
in order to prevent slippage. The slots in the
new upper tension bracket allow you to do
this. Whenever the upper tensioner bracket is
adjusted, the angle of the PBL changes. It is
necessary to recheck the PBL for proper
height and to adjust as needed.
6. Install the new ball lift belt. Set the correct
tension by adjusting the retainer at the top of the
spring using a spanner wrench. The correct
setting is achieved when the spring length (when
measured between the lower retainer and upper
washer) is 4-1/8 inches (see Figure 3).
7. Reinstall the upper and lower tensioners.
8. Remove both track rail assemblies. REMOVE
ANY WASHERS OR SHIMS FROM BEHIND
THE TRACK RAIL ASSEMBLIES. (See Figure
4.) Do NOT reinstall these later.
9. Remove the rail covers from the rails. Cleaning
the rails will help the new covers slide on easier.
HANDLE THE CLEAR
RAIL COVERS WITH CARE TO AVOID TEARING.
10. Remove the cellophane wrappers from the
clear rail covers, and install the covers on
the lower part of the rails. If using a knife,
be careful to avoid cutting the rail covers.
11. Install the new black rail covers on the top
section of the rails. Do NOT cut these
covers to length! (See exception.) The
clear rail covers will compress approximately
one inch to allow the black upper covers to
fit properly. This will prevent a gap from
forming between the two during use.
Exception! On pinspotters with export
ball exit systems (kicker ball exits with
rails that are straight at the top instead
of curved), cut the BLACK rail covers to
a length of 11.75 inches. Do not alter the
clear rail covers in any way.
4-1/8”
Figure 3
Figure 4
Remove any
washers o
r
shims from here.
Figure 2
PBL
New upper
support
Position screws at
top of slots (bracket
at its lowest position).

Gripper Ball Return Kit Installation Instructions
400-090-007 Rev. A 3
12. Verify that there is room for the rails to fit between the
wooden kickbacks. If necessary, increase the size of the
V-notches as shown in Figure 5. Do not bend the rails
to get them to fit.
13. Reinstall the track rails. (Do not use any shims.) Use
the new thimbles (narrow end down) in place of the
existing ball guides.
14. Adjust the lift arm so that it is no more than 1/8 inch
above the door ring weldment (see Figure 6).
15. Reinstall the PBL assembly.
16. Check the PBL for the correct height. There
should be from 3/8-inch to 1/2-inch clearance
between a ball on the lift arm and the belt. (See
Figure 7.) This added clearance is needed
because of the fatter rail covers.
17. If the PBL has a Lift Pressure Kit installed, adjust
the turnbuckle to apply only a minimum of
pressure.
18. Check the Light Ball Sensor adjustments to ensure
that the side-to-side travel is equal
and sufficient to allow the ball to enter the door
completely before the lift arm engages the ratchet.
19. On PBL Lite units, set the adjustable-speed rudder
drive (Figure 8) to give a one-second dwell time on
each side.
20. Verify that the remaining PBL and LBS
adjustments are in accordance with the
settings outlined in the Pinspotter Manual.
Adjust as necessary
21. Test ball lift operation with light and heavy
bowling balls.
Periodically clean the belt and rail covers
with diluted (4:1) lane cleaner.
Door Ring
Weldment
BALL EXIT
Lift Arm
Figure 6
Turning shaft
evens out
paddle stroke
Turning this nut
changes paddle pressure
1/2”
Start in the middle o
f
the adjustment
Tighten setscrew
each time pulley
is adjusted!
A
djust plate
forward
Figure 8
Figure 5
4” (102 mm)
2-3/4” (70 mm) ref
5-1/2” (140 mm)
PBL CLEARANCE
3/8” TO 1/2”
CLEARANCE
Figure 7