Maintenance Procedures

DAILY MAINTENANCE, VISUAL INSPECTIONS AND OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

WEEKLY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE and OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

MONTHLY MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

Maintenance Schedules

• Pitching Machine
• Conveyor System
• Light Box
• Netting
• General
• Coin Box

DAILY CHECKLIST

Clean debris from batting area (pit, stalls, etc...)

1. Visually inspect the coin box for damage and repair as necessary.
2. Visually inspect batters stalls for any holes in netting, properly hung back stop pads and well marked batters boxes. Repair if necessary.
3. Walk the inside perimeter of the cage visually checking for ripped netting ties at lower fence, holes in net (including overhead), broken cables, and fencing connections.
4. Visually check pitching machine area (the pit) for netting holes, rips in netting tie downs, etc. Repair if needed.
5. Visually check where balls are pitching through the Netting Holes. Balls must pass through the middle of the holes (not closer to any edge of hole). Make adjustments to net holes as needed. Refer to page 44.
6. Visually check light box warning lights for proper operation. Replace any broken lens or defective light bulbs.
7. Visually check 90 degree drop for proper alignment with ball chute. Check proper spacing between ball drop from 90 degree drop and top of ball chute. Proper spacing is 3.5 inches of drop for baseball and 4.5 inches of drop for softball. Adjust as necessary. Refer to page 42.
8. Visually inspect ball chutes and ball guide chutes for proper alignment.
9. Visually inspect pinch roller wheel for damage or wear. Replace if necessary.
10. Visually inspect pitching wheels for damage or wear. Replace if necessary.
11. Visually check guide chute “micro switch” cord from light box for proper attachment. Be certain that each wire lead has a properly attached crimp-on “fork terminal” and that it is firmly connected to the micro switch leads. Replace “wire ties” that attach micro switch wire to ball guide chute if broken.
12. Manually feed balls through pitching machine and watch carefully for accurate pitches and make adjustments as necessary. Drop a token in each coin box and count the number of pitches to assure micro switch is counting correctly. Check for proper sequencing of light box. Section of Trouble Shooting Guide pages 27-29
13. Turn on hopper/feeding system and observe its operation.
14. Visually check underneath fiberglass shroud at the bottom of the conveyor system before the machines have been turned on for any debris that could block the conveyor.
15. Visually check bats for cracks and worn out grips. Replace as needed.
16. Visually check all batting helmets for cracks or defects. All helmets must have protective face masks attached. Replace helmets/facemasks as needed.
17. visually check balls for excessive or uneven wear, cracks or breaks. Replace as needed. Remember, never mix old balls with new balls. Replace balls all at one time to assure consistent ball wear.
18. WHENEVER SERVICING OR CONDUCTING INSPECTIONS, ALWAYS KEEP LOOSE CLOTHING AND LONG HAIR AWAY FROM ANY MOVING PARTS! SERIOUS INJURIES COULD RESULT!
19. See section “Daily Operational Forms & Checklists”.

YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THESE INSPECTIONS OR PROCEDURES AFTER REVIEWING AND CHECKING FOR MALFUNCTIONS, CALL “ABC” IMMEDIATELY @ 1-800-547-2243

WEEKLY CHECKLIST

1. Wash entire batting cage floor.
2. With pitching machine turned off, remove belt cover and check condition of belt. Then check the variable speed pulley assembly for expansion and contraction by pushing the outside of the pulley assembly back and forth. The sides of the pulley will slide back and forth over the shaft of the pulley. If the pulley is “sticky” or does not move freely, lubricate the grease fitting with one pump of grease from the grease gun. Note: Batting Range locations with dry or sandy areas should be certain to check these pulleys weekly.
3. Check tension of BALL conveyor. Loosen or tighten as needed.

MONTHLY MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

1. Grease pillow blocks at both ends of the conveyor.
2. Lubricate shaft bearings - one pump every month per bearing. DO NOT OVER GREASE- this can reduce the life of the bearing.
3. Lubricate variable speed pulley every 3-4 weeks, approximately 4 pumps per grease fitting, then run speed of machine up and down 3-4 times to distribute the grease.
4. Overall visual and audio inspection every month checking for loose bolts, worn belts, loud bearings, etc...
5. Clean debris from sump area below fiberglass shroud.
6. Check roof over pitching machines for broken wood, Repair as necessary.
7. Check lighting for all cages.
8. Repaint batting stall home plate and batters boxes as needed.
9. All batting stall gates must have auto-closing springs. Check them for proper tension (If your gates do not have auto-closing springs, install them). Check for gaps in gates where balls could escape and adjust as necessary.