Linear Gripper Getting Stuck

[jazzyjeff]

I've been running into an issue lately where the linear gripper on my Spinfire Flame (rebranded Alpha Pioneer DC Plus) gets stuck after I've pulled the string and it becomes difficult to release the string after lifting the drop weight. It gets to the point when I have to nock the gripper back out with the handle of my pliers as it too tight to push out with my hands.
Is this an issue anyone else has run in to and any suggestions to fix it?
I've only strung about 20 racquets on it and the machine is still under warranty, but not sure whether this is just something that happens with this type of gripper.

 

[Irvin]

Lubricate the bearings making sure not to get any lubricant on the gripper surface.

 

[Rabbit]

it could be the gripper is adjusted too tightly. it doesn't make sense a new machine would need lubricating. with no string in the machine, try moving the gripper with your finger, it should return to its original position on its own. if it doesn't, then yeah try to oil it. if it does, check to see if it is adjusted too tight; given there is an adjustment screw on it

 

[Irvin]

@jazzyjeff is there an adjustment on the gripper? I didn't think there was. If there was I doubt that would be the issue anyway.

 

[eelhc]

Gripper could be adjusted too tightly or out of parallel where one end is gripping tighter than the other...

 

[Irvin]

The Spinfire Flame is very similar t the Alpha Pioneer DC Plus and I don't think there is an adjustment.

 

[eelhc]

The Spinfire Flame is very similar t the Alpha Pioneer DC Plus and I don't think there is an adjustment.

"Permanent" adjustment is made at the factory (sometimes with washers/spacers/shims). The 2 bolts on the gripper can be loosened and re-aligned/adjusted. Wouldn't surprise me that the lower cost machines left the factory with the adjustment too tight.

 

[Muppet]

What might be happening is that you are not holding the clutch tab open while you raise the dropweight. That still happens to me sometimes. The way I escape that situation is by forcing the string off of the drum to give the gripper some slack to let go of the string. I don't get caught in this very often. When you're used to the machine, you'll have a rhythm going for how to do it properly.

 

[jazzyjeff]

What might be happening is that you are not holding the clutch tab open while you raise the dropweight. That still happens to me sometimes. The way I escape that situation is by forcing the string off of the drum to give the gripper some slack to let go of the string. I don't get caught in this very often. When you're used to the machine, you'll have a rhythm going for how to do it properly.

What do you mean by "holding the clutch tap open"? Should it not just push open reasonably easily once I lift the weight and take the tension off the string?

 

[Muppet]

On my Pioneer DC+, the clutch is spring loaded. If you don't hold it open, the gripper will not release the string while you raise the drop weight. The clutch tab will open easily if you do it before raising the drop weight. When my machine was new, I even had to push down slightly on the horizontal bar sometimes to get the clutch to release.

 

[jazzyjeff]

Must be different on my machine Muppet.
Lube fixed the problem. Cheers Irvin.