Ball Machines

Registering

The ball machines are available for members (over 18) only to hire. You must pre-book via the Booking page on the website where you will need to pay £5 per hour of use.

If you haven't used them before - please email Richard to arrange a brief walkthrough.

Points to note The ball machines are stored in the clubhouse. Please email Richard if you do not know how to access the clubhouse.

Booking
Book a 30-minute or 1-hour court session as normal then book a machine for the same time slot as your court booking.

Please finish 5 minutes before the end of your session, to allow for ball collection, vacating the court and return of the ball machine to the clubhouse for recharge.

The Lobster machine is red and the Slinger Bag is blue. Please read the instructions for whichever machine you use carefully.

Important Safety Directions: Whichever machine you use, UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES

Use the ball machine in wet conditions or when rain is on courts or where water has collected
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”

Lobster Machine (Red):

Remove the charger cable from the back of the machine before use (do not unplug at the wall socket).
The remote control is attached to the charger cable. Please return the remote control with the ball machine.
Lift the ball machine down the steps rather than bumping it down.
It will run on battery power when on court.
The balls are in the ball machine & need to be collected & returned in the machine.
When you are finished with the ball machine put it back in the clubhouse and reconnect the charger cable to the back of the ball machine so it recharges.
If you have any issues with the ball machine or an issue with your booking then report it to a member of the committee or email Richard.

Slinger Bag (Blue)

Use of the ball machine
Please have a look at the user manual here>>
And a short explanatory video here>>

Usage:

Unplug the charging cable from the bottom left of the machine.
The remote control is attached to the charger cable. Please return the remote control with the ball machine.
Position ball machine on the court in your desired launching position. See below.
Open / Unzip the lower front panel in order to display the ball launcher. Note: 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.
Open / Unzip the top ball feeder panel. Make sure that nothing is obstructing the ball feeder. If all is clear load up to a recommended maximum of 144 tennis balls. Note: Slinger advises that the optimum ball launcher operation is achieved with 72 tennis balls.
On the front control panel adjust the control knobs to set the desired Ball Speed and Ball feed timing. See our suggested settings below. 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°. See our suggested settings below. Note: After adjusting the elevation knob ensure that it is fully tightened before starting the ball machine.
Turn ‘ON’ the power switch on the front control panel.
With all of the controls set up, take the remote control and proceed to your playing position.
Point the remote control and press the top “On/Off” tennis ball icon button once in order to start. Note: 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.
Start playing!
After use, please recharge the machine for the next user: see below

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

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.

Power: The Battery LED lights will illuminate to indicate the level of battery power as follows (looking at the control panel):
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.

Charging:

Connect the cable to the ball machine (bottom left of the control panel).
There will be a timer attached to the power socket.
Press the green button on the top of the timer and this gives 3 hours power and then switches off.
The light on the plug glows red during charging and then green when fully charged.
Please 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 turn off.