KMK NEWSLETTER
NOVEMBER 2025
MYSTERY ELEVATOR JAMS
Trying to diagnose an elevator jam that doesn’t have an obvious cause can test the patience of even the most experienced mechanic. These jams happen with bowling in progress and may be extremely intermittent.
Before starting any maintenance project, follow all safety procedure to ensure the machine power has been removed.
Keep in mind that the elevator microswitch must be activated every 6 seconds when the machine is running. If it is not activated in the correct timeframe, the machine will generate an Elevator Jam code. (EJ) Check the operation of this switch. If a replacement is needed, order part number SM-47-243028-004 from your Kegel distributor.
If the jam happens with a large number of pins on the transport band, it is most likely caused by the outside distributor belts slipping. These belts not only carry the pins to the 4, 7 and 10 pin stations but also drive all the assemblies on the backside of the machine. (Shark, transport band and elevator) As these belts wear, they become stretched and will not have enough tension to drive the elevator and the transport band under the weight of numerous pins.
The outer belts may need to be shortened to return the correct amount of tension to drive the rear assemblies. Follow the manufacturers recommendation regarding the correct length of these belts.
In some cases, oil or grease can cause these belts to slip. Inspect and clean the belts and the pulleys.
Remove the back cover from the elevator and inspect all the hardware. This is a high vibration area, and nuts and bolts can loosen with time.
The rubber bumpers that hold the center plate to the elevator frame can fail, allowing the plate to interfere with the shovels.
Manually rotate the shovels to allow access to the bumpers and the 4mm hex bolt on the inside of the elevator. It is recommended to replace both bumpers.
When replacing these bumpers, part number SM-47-014800-00 from Strike Maker is an economical option. Contact your Kegel distributor for availability.
Another item that can cause a mystery elevator jam are the Slide plates on the bottom of the elevator. These plates can wear and break causing the shovels to jam. Inspect the rivets that mount these plates to the frame.
The cause of a mystery elevator jam can test your patience, especially when there is bowling in progress. Make a note of the jam and when time allows, troubleshoot the elevator and its’ drive components. When you find the problem, check the rest of the machines for the same issue. A little time doing preventative maintenance can reduce a lot of stress later.
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