Ball machine use on artificial clay

[toby55555]

Having tried out a friends machine I am definitely getting one, great way to improve fitness. However I'm concerned my clubs AC courts might cause problems with grit getting in the machine. Has anyone here used one on AC over an extended period?

Looking at the balls after long serve practice they don't seem overly dirtied.

 

[Ronaldo]

Having tried out a friends machine I am definitely getting one, great way to improve fitness. However I'm concerned my clubs AC courts might cause problems with grit getting in the machine. Has anyone here used one on AC over an extended period?

Looking at the balls after long serve practice they don't seem overly dirtied.

Was advised not to use a ball machine on Har-tru for the same reason.

 

[vsbabolat]

My club is har-tru which is all natural and we have ball machines and there is no problems.

 

[esgee48]

Recommend you read the maintenance requirements associated with your pending machine. Most will have schedules for cleaning the throwing mechanisms so that grit, ball fluff, etc do not shorten the lives of the machines. You can also ask the retailer if they would recommend using the machines on clay. I suspect that the answer is "Yes, it's OK to do so, but you need to clean more often."

 

[neverstopplaying]

I've been using ball machines on clay for about 8 years. No problems with either of the 2 machines I've used. The last is a Playmate and the dealer told me they are regularly sold for use on clay courts. There is a need to clean the machine periodically. Often, I pick up the balls with a hopper, then shake a partially filled hopper to remove the clay before reloading the balls in the machine.

 

[toby55555]

Thanks for replies, I bought a Lobster Elite 1 this morning and the guy (who also repairs them) said the mechanism is sealed in such a way as grit has never been a problem in his experience. Anyway we also have some artificial grass and as the battery was fully charged I tried it out on those, exhausting!