SHOW YOUR PINSETTERS SOME LOVE

Ah February, the month we all think of relationships, flowers, chocolate, and pinsetter parts.

Pinsetter parts might seem to be an odd addition to this list, but restocking parts that have been depleted over the course of the bowling season should be on your mind. This is also a great time to start planning any summer projects and get supplies ordered to accomplish those projects.

Rebuilding some parts of the pinsetter can be labor intensive and might require you to add extra personnel to accomplish your goals. February is a good time to start thinking about who will be assigned to each job this summer.

The middle of the league season is also a great time to evaluate how your pinsetters are running. Checking the frames per stop daily, weekly, and monthly can give you a good idea of how the machine a running over the short term. Checking frames per stop for the previous 6 months can show you trends that might not be apparent with the shorter durations.

Take the time to walk behind the machines while they are running. Listen for possible minor problems that might turn into major breakdowns. Bearings, bushings, motors, and belts all have a language of their own. Listen carefully to avoid big issues in the future.

Many mechanics still use manual logs or notebooks to track the sub assembly maintenance, and parts replacement for each individual pinsetter. This is still a very beneficial practice and can be used for quick reference when scheduling tasks going forward. The more you track your pinsetter maintenance and performance the easier the job becomes over time.

Your relationship with your pinsetters is critical to the success of the business. What you get out of that relationship is equal to what you put into it.  If you ignore the machines, they will become troublesome and costly repairs may be in your future. If you take the time to maintain them properly, they will reward you with many hours of trouble-free operation.  

When training new staff, and possibly your replacement, incorporate these practices and procedures which will essentially lay a stable foundation for those you mentor. Today, even more so than 20 or 30 years ago it has become imperative that we, as head mechanics, provide a clear and safe pathway to the success of the future generations of mechanics.