Pitching Machine

What's the Problem Is this the Cause Here's the Solution
1) Token inserted, registers on display panel, all components work except pitching machine. NOTE: To isolate problem, unplug machine from light box pigtail and plug directly into the outlet. If pitching machine does not work, proceed in this section. If machine does work, proceed to problem 3 in the light box section. 1a) Bad connection in power cord male plug. 1a) Remove male end of plug and check for loose wires.
1b) Defective pitching machine motor. 1b) To verify, check for 115VAC at motor, where power cord is connected. If no power is present, replace “pitching machine motor”.
2) Inaccurate count on pitched balls. 2a) Arm on microswitch is not bent enough to count balls accurately. 2a) If pitching machine is pitching more balls than programmed for, bend arm on microswitch up slightly. If pitching machine is pitching fewer balls than programmed for, bend arm on microswitch down slightly.
2b) Wires to microswitch have been knocked off or are loose. 2b) Check wire connection at microswitch, tighten or reconnect as needed. Crimp new fork terminal on wire if it has pulled out of fork terminal.
2c) Defective “Ball Count Microswitch”. 2c) To verify, remove wires from microswitch, touch them together and release. Every time you touch and release, one ball should count down. Have someone observe display panel when conducting this test. If you obtain a count down on display panel with this test, replace microswitch.
2d) Damaged Belden cable. 2d) Inspect Belden cable for breakage, cuts, or nicks. Repair as needed.
3) Inaccurate pitches. 3a) Incorrect wheel to wheel spacing or wheel to pad spacing. 3a) Verify proper spacing, adjust if necessary. Refer to Servicing Your Equipment, on 47.
3b) Wheels on machine are worn. 3b) Inspect wheels for excessive wear, uneven wear, or chunks of material that are missing. Replace wheel “immediately”.
3c) Wheels are not parallel to each other. 3c) Make sure ball contact surfaces on wheels are parallel to each other. Adjust wheel shaft to correct alignment.
3d) Balls are worn out. 3d) Inspect balls for wear and replace as needed.
3e) Varying sizes of balls in system. 3e) If new balls are added to old balls, inaccurate pitches may result. Maintain a consistent size of balls.
3f) Dirt build-up on wheels. 3f) Inspect wheels for steady buildup Wheels may be cleaned with a rag and acetone, with machine turned off. For heavy buildup, use a 60 grit emery cloth.
3g) Plastic feed chute (tongue) is out of alignment. 3g) Re-adjust as shown on page 42.
4) Pitching machine is noisy. 4a) Drive belt on machine is worn or frayed. 4a) Replace “AA-55” drive belt.
4b) Bearing on idler pulley is bad. 4b) Replace idler pulley.
4c) Wheel shaft bearing is worn. 4c) Replace wheel shaft bearing.
4d) Incorrect wheel spacing on machine. 4d) If wheels are too close, a loud “bang” will occur when a ball is pitched. Make shaft spacing adjustment. Refer to page 47.
5) Pitching machine is vibrating. 5a) Wheels on machine are out of balance, (harmonic imbalance). 5a) Adjust speed of machine slightly in one direction or the other. Many times a difference in Rpm's will make a vibration go away. Or interchange top and bottom wheels.
5b) Drive belt on machine is worn or frayed. 5b) Replace “AA-55” drive belt.
5c) Wheel wobble. 5c) This occurs when wheels are not mounted properly and causes the wheels to wobble side to side. Remove wheel, flip shaft collar around and make sure all mating surfaces are clean, then remount the wheel. If wobble still exists, interchange or replace wheel.
6) Unable to change speeds on pitching machine. 6a) Hex head jam nuts on “speed crank” screw are not turning with crank screw, when turning to adjust speed. 6a) Use two 3/4” wrenches and tighten the nuts into each other. Make sure to locate the nuts properly on “speed crank” screw before tightening.
6b) Variable speed pulley is frozen in one position. 6b) Before changing variable speed pulley, refer to page # 50 or contact ABC for details on how to free pulley.
7) Machine requires frequent adjustments, for balls that are pitching high/low. 7) Locking nut on hi/low crank handle is tightened in wrong location. 7) Refer to page # 45 for proper adjustment of Hi/Low Crank Handle.
8) Main frame on pitching machine is cracking 8) Improper shaft spacing (too close) on the machine. 8) Adjust wheel shaft to proper spacing. Refer to page # 47 for correct dimensions. If frame is cracked, call ABC for further instructions on how to repair.