auto-sporter traps
- Thread starter brucey
- Start date
Brucey
We only have 1 Auto Sporter but after some initial adjustment, it has worked fine for 3 years. There aren't too many things to go wrong. If you haven't already done so, check the following:
On the machine we bought, the belt which prevents the target stack from dropping was not at the correct height for the targets we were using at that time, (which were not White Flyer). I had to make some new spacers to put under the spring end and I dont remember if I raised it or lowered it. An incorrect belt height affects the way the targets feed and might result in broken targets.
Make sure your throwing arm has not been bent. It should contact the throwing rim, not the outside rim. The bottom of the throwing arm should be about 1/16" +/- above the outside rim. Sometimes these get accidentally bent in shipping or otherwise. If this has been bent you can count on almost 100% breakage.
Make sure the turrent is indexing correctly so the targets are dropping in the correct position on the throwing plate. Not sure how this might get out of adjustment, but??
You might need to adjust the microswitch that controls where the throwing arm stops when it goes thru the cocking cycle. If it is too far away from the target, it tends to break the target.
Also you might call Don Day at Silver Willow for advice. He has about 30 Auto-Sporters. Phone number is 403-337-2490. I am not sure what days they are open during the winter.
Hope that helps.
We only have 1 Auto Sporter but after some initial adjustment, it has worked fine for 3 years. There aren't too many things to go wrong. If you haven't already done so, check the following:
On the machine we bought, the belt which prevents the target stack from dropping was not at the correct height for the targets we were using at that time, (which were not White Flyer). I had to make some new spacers to put under the spring end and I dont remember if I raised it or lowered it. An incorrect belt height affects the way the targets feed and might result in broken targets.
Make sure your throwing arm has not been bent. It should contact the throwing rim, not the outside rim. The bottom of the throwing arm should be about 1/16" +/- above the outside rim. Sometimes these get accidentally bent in shipping or otherwise. If this has been bent you can count on almost 100% breakage.
Make sure the turrent is indexing correctly so the targets are dropping in the correct position on the throwing plate. Not sure how this might get out of adjustment, but??
You might need to adjust the microswitch that controls where the throwing arm stops when it goes thru the cocking cycle. If it is too far away from the target, it tends to break the target.
Also you might call Don Day at Silver Willow for advice. He has about 30 Auto-Sporters. Phone number is 403-337-2490. I am not sure what days they are open during the winter.
Hope that helps.
Sorry about your troubles with Auto Sporter. If you are looking for a great skeet set at a great price, have a look at the Bowman. Word of caution, I wouldnt bother with the distributor unless you want to pay too much. Go right to the source. We installed a set, 400 target capacity, solenoid release, turnbuckle adjustment for elevation, tilt and turn and all with no wrenches. Been in service for 18 months, thrown about 60000 targets, and I could count the number of no birds with one foot to spare. All we have replaced is two 5 cent springs that cushion the arm when it comes to rest against the solenoid release. The replacement took 30 seconds. Machines are dead simple and far superior to a similar promatic. Heres the good part...18 moths ago the total price for the set, shipped from the UK including duty and taxes was $7200 CAD when the exchange was 1.84! Now with the pound down to 1.58 CAD, i bet you could have a set for just over 6k. But wait, it gets better. The machines we got are 12V, and the price included transformers to 110V. So if the power goes out, we hook them up to 12v batteries and keep shooting!
Now for the best part...have a problem...call up the shop in the UK and talk directly to Andrew, the guy that built it! Oh, and that price included a comprehensive spares kit as well.
I am not a salesman for Bowman, just a very satisfied customer!
Now for the best part...have a problem...call up the shop in the UK and talk directly to Andrew, the guy that built it! Oh, and that price included a comprehensive spares kit as well.
I am not a salesman for Bowman, just a very satisfied customer!
