Booking

Ball Machine

Registering

To sign up for the ball machine, please email your request to ballmachine@muswellhilltennis.com. 

  1. Then arrange a time with Ian or Sylvia for an induction on the use of the machine
  2. Like it?  Want to go ahead?  Then transfer the fee to the club bank account and confirm to the email address above 
  3. Then your membership record will be updated to allow you to book the machine

The one-off fee for use of the machine for the year from 1 April to 31 March is:
If registering between April and September £35
If registering between October and March £15

Booking

Once your membership record is updated:

  • book a court session as normal.  Court 4 is best, otherwise Courts 1 or 3. Not Court 2 please as balls get mixed up. 
  • then change the booking view drop-down at the top right of the booking screen from 'View as Member' to 'View as Ball Machine' and book the machine for the same time slot as your court booking
  • you must use a browser and not the Booker app, as the app does not allow you to change the view
  • you must book the court first: if you try it the other way round, it won't work

Use of the ball machine

There is a  short explanatory video here>>

Important Safety Directions: UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES

  • Use the ball machine in damp or wet conditions.  The balls will simply not fire out with sufficient power.
  • Reach into the ball launching exit chute when the power is “ON”
  • Look into the ball launching exit chute when the power is “ON”
  • Stand directly in front of the ball launching exit chute at any time when the power is “ON”
  • Insert any balls into the ball hopper while the power is “ON”

Power: The Battery LED lights will illuminate to indicate the level of battery power as follows:
RED only indicates LOW power
RED & YELLOW together indicates MEDIUM power
RED, YELLOW, GREEN, GREEN all together indicates FULL power
Battery life depends on usage. If used on low settings including oscillation then the battery life is up to 3 hours but this reduces to 1.5 hours when used at maximum speed, feed and oscillation.

When taking out the ball machine:

  1. Open / Unzip the lower front panel in order to display the ball launcher. Hook the open door panel on to the side of the trolley bag using the clip provided on the left rear side as you look at the ball machine.
  2. If attached, remove the charging cable from the bottom left of the machine.
  3. Open / Unzip the top ball feeder panel. Make sure that nothing is obstructing the ball feeder. If all is clear, load up the 72 Wilson Triniti pressureless balls provided (if not already loaded).  No other makes of ball please - they don't work.  

On court:

  1. Position ball machine in your desired launching position. 
  2. On the front control panel adjust the control knobs to set the desired Ball Speed and Ball feed timing. On the right bottom side of the ball machine, unzip the elevation control knob cover. Adjust the elevation control knob to your desired launching angle - between 10° and 40°.   Ensure that it is fully tightened before starting the ball machine. 
    Suggested settings:
    For Slow delivery: Position machine midway between net & service line / Elevation: 30 / Ball Speed: 1/3 / Ball Feed 1/2
    For Medium delivery: Position machine on service line / Elevation: 18 / Ball Speed: 1/2 / Ball Feed 1/2
    For Fast delivery: Position machine on service line / Elevation: 18 / Ball Speed: Max / Ball Feed 1/2
  3. Turn ‘ON’ the power switch on the front control panel.
  4. With all of the controls set up, take the remote control and proceed to your playing position.
  5. Point the remote control and press the top “On/Off” tennis ball icon button once in order to start.  You will hear a single “beep” to signal that the launcher wheel has started. After 10 seconds you will hear a second “beep” signalling that the feeder plate is rotating and the balls are about to commence launching.
  6. Start playing!
  7. Finish 5 minutes before the end of your session, to allow for ball collection and vacating the court.
  8. Look round the court and ensure all the Wilson Triniti balls are back in the machine.
  9. Turn ‘OFF’ the power switch on the front control panel.

Oscillator: If you use the oscillator, make sure that the Slinger® logo on the top of the Oscillator is facing forwards to the net and the wheel location slots are positioned at the rear. Position ball machine onto the top of the oscillator making sure that the wheels are correctly located into the wheel slots provided on the oscillator base. Then connect the white oscillator cable via the magnetic connector to the corresponding position on the control panel (bottom right). You will hear a “beep” and see a GREEN LED indicator come on above the oscillator connector socket to indicate the oscillator is connected. The lower button on the remote is the on/off switch for the oscillator.  Remember to remove the white oscillator cable after use.

When putting the ball machine back:

  • Don't forget to leave the remote control clipped to the side of the ball machine.
  • If the balls are damp, remove them from the ball machine and leave them to dry in the trays provided.
  • Check that the power switch on the front control panel is turned off.
  • Recharge by connecting the cable to the ball machine (bottom left of the control panel).
  • There is a timer attached to the power socket.
  • Press the green button on the top of the timer and the green light on the timer illuminates.  This gives 3 hours power and then switches off.
  • Ignore the light on the mains plug.  Leave the mains plug in the 13A socket and the switch in the “on” position.
  • If you want to reset the timer to cancel the 3 hours, hold the green button down for several seconds and it will switch off.