Prince Neos Lockout tensioner...

eelhc

eelhc

Hall of Fame
I have a Neos machine lockout tensioner that I am having a problem with.

The tensioner pulls tension and locks out fine... the lockout lever releases and locks the tension head to the arm. But when I attempt to latch the lockout lever to the catch to release the tension head, it takes several attempts and even then the catch (hook) is barely holding the lockout lever.

The manual is pretty much worthless and I've emailed Prince CS and am awaiting response but in the meantime... Is this a common issue and is there a simple solution?

Also... the crank (metal rod with 2 plastic balls) seems to fit very loosly on the tension head... I'm afraid it's going to fall off... Normal?
 
The easiest solution is to contact TENNISMACHINES. They can either step you through a fix, or they can ship you a tension head to use while they repair yours.
 
Agreed on the tennisMACHINES service. I have never seen them not able to fix something.

FYI, I sent them an OLD rusted out, hadn't been used in years lockout crank and in a week they had it brand spanking fresh.
 
Agree on Tennis Machines (I would not hold your breath waiting for Prince--I think they would direct you to the guys at TM anyway). But, the instructions on how to adjust the locking lever in the manual are pretty clear-see p. 21. It can also be affected when you recalibrate --see p. 7.

As far as the loose crank, I think the later Neos machines used nylon bearings (rather than steel in the early Neos and the Ektelon H) and they just wear out over years of use (I don't know how old your machine is) but it is easy to replace the crank shaft assembly (part # 7737-0700--at least based on Neos Manual but number may have changed) but to get one, you will need to call tennis machines anyway. Depending on what you need done--you might consider having them tune your tension head and send you a crank shaft assembly.

Like any machine, the Neos will need to be tweaked from time to time--but it's pretty much idiot proof if you keep it clean and otherwise take care of it. Good luck.
 
MAX PLY said:
Agree on Tennis Machines (I would not hold your breath waiting for Prince--I think they would direct you to the guys at TM anyway). But, the instructions on how to adjust the locking lever in the manual are pretty clear-see p. 21. It can also be affected when you recalibrate --see p. 7.

As far as the loose crank, I think the later Neos machines used nylon bearings (rather than steel in the early Neos and the Ektelon H) and they just wear out over years of use (I don't know how old your machine is) but it is easy to replace the crank shaft assembly (part # 7737-0700--at least based on Neos Manual but number may have changed) but to get one, you will need to call tennis machines anyway. Depending on what you need done--you might consider having them tune your tension head and send you a crank shaft assembly.

Like any machine, the Neos will need to be tweaked from time to time--but it's pretty much idiot proof if you keep it clean and otherwise take care of it. Good luck.
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Per the recommendations here I've contacted tennis machines.

I should be more specific on the crank... It's the handle (with the 2 plastic balls) that fits loose into the tension head. The part that fits over the ball detent mechanism (like on a socket wrench). It seems the ball detent does not hold the handle very securely... very easy to remove. I'm afraid it'll fall off.

BTW if Prince CS doesn't answer back than IMO they're only slightly better than Eagnas (no help and rude vs just no help). Good thing their machines are reliable (except for my tension head which seems to be DOA).
 
Irvin said:
MAX PLY told you what Prince is going to tell you, "Call Tennis Machines!"
Click to expand...

Yes. I have personally phoned Prince and been told to contact TM. TM sometimes takes too long to get back to you (i think theyre a small shop). And wayy wayy overpriced, but they seem to have every fix without a doubt.
 
bBubba said:
Yes. I have personally phoned Prince and been told to contact TM. TM sometimes takes too long to get back to you (i think theyre a small shop). And wayy wayy overpriced, but they seem to have every fix without a doubt.
Click to expand...

So far Prince is 0 for 2... 1) The tensioner is unusable out of the box, 2) they have not responded to my eMail (not even to refer me to TM)... unprofessional and not indicative of a company that has its act together. On the contrary... Gamma service has been exemplary. Something to consider when purchasing a machine.

I contacted TM separately and sent in my tensioner per their instructions.... I am a bit concerned with your "overpriced" comment.
 
eelhc said:
So far Prince is 0 for 2... 1) The tensioner is unusable out of the box, 2) they have not responded to my eMail (not even to refer me to TM)... unprofessional and not indicative of a company that has its act together. On the contrary... Gamma service has been exemplary. Something to consider when purchasing a machine.

I contacted TM separately and sent in my tensioner per their instructions.... I am a bit concerned with your "overpriced" comment.
Click to expand...

I have had dealings with TennisMachines as has a friend of mine who owns a large pro shop. Let me say categorically, they are not overpriced. Their service is next to none, their quality is superb, and they give away tons of potential work by telling people what to do over the phone. JC is one of the best. Let me add that TennisMachines has provided me and others a loaner tension head to use while ours was sent in.

As to your dealings with Prince, had they responded, they'd have told you TennisMachines. TennisMachines has the warranty work for Prince. Prince/Ektelon just brands the machine and markets them.
 
^^^Agree with Rabbit--honestly never had any sort of poor service from TM. To the contrary, they've always been super helpful and I thought at a reasonable price. As for Prince, they are basically now a marketing company that brands products.
 
MAX PLY said:
As for Prince, they are basically now a marketing company that brands products.
Click to expand...

Figures... How long before all American companies are just repurchased brands run by holding companies, investment groups and hedge funds. Buy the brandind, fire everyone, sell the assets and put a label/logo on a cheap, generic product. At least the Neos Machine itself looks to be very well built.
 
To be fair, Prince went bankrupt and a new company bought the brand--but truthfully, few companies actually make their own stuff although many (Nike, Wilson, for example) do have a large hand in the design of the products. I suspect there are very few industries these days that are one-stop shops.

As for your Neos, they are well built and should last a long time--it's dissappointing that your tension head has been an issue (and rare) but the darn thing don't have that many parts that can go wrong (normal wear and tear excepted). I have owned several for business through the years and have helped fix or restore (except for tension head revamping) many. As I tell everyone, keep it clean and covered when not in use and it should last you a lifetime. I continue to use, as my personal machine, a 25+ year old Ektelon H and the darn thing looks almost new.
 
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MAX PLY said:
Agree on Tennis Machines (I would not hold your breath waiting for Prince--I think they would direct you to the guys at TM anyway). But, the instructions on how to adjust the locking lever in the manual are pretty clear-see p. 21. It can also be affected when you recalibrate --see p. 7.

As far as the loose crank, I think the later Neos machines used nylon bearings (rather than steel in the early Neos and the Ektelon H) and they just wear out over years of use (I don't know how old your machine is) but it is easy to replace the crank shaft assembly (part # 7737-0700--at least based on Neos Manual but number may have changed) but to get one, you will need to call tennis machines anyway. Depending on what you need done--you might consider having them tune your tension head and send you a crank shaft assembly.

Like any machine, the Neos will need to be tweaked from time to time--but it's pretty much idiot proof if you keep it clean and otherwise take care of it. Good luck.
Click to expand...

I live in Europe and i have a loose crank on my ektelon H. Is it possible to just order this part and is it easy to install on this machine?
 
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Irvin said:
Why is the crank loose? What part are you talking about.
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I have a pretty old ektelon H. The crank (the metal rod which you have to spin to apply tension) is a bit loose. It's both the crank itself and the part which goes to the tension head (the round 'screw'). I hope I explained it correctly as my English isn't that well.
 
Krajicek Serve said:
I have a pretty old ektelon H. The crank (the metal rod which you have to spin to apply tension) is a bit loose. It's both the crank itself and the part which goes to the tension head (the round 'screw'). I hope I explained it correctly as my English isn't that well.
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I sent my tensioner and crank rod to tennis machines so they could have a look. I am thinking that the loose fit is by design. The crank handle fits on the drive shaft from either left or right side with a ball detent mechanism (like on a socket wrench). I was expecting a nice solid "click" feel but I have seen on other machines the crank just slips off/on with little/no force. In fact I don't think the ball detent actually works.
 
TM will definitely fix it. There has always been a little "play" on my machine when I switch the handle but not a big deal. It could be the handle itself or the shaft-gear assembly (i.e., what the handle fits on to). Since you already sent in your tension head to them, you might as well tell them to do a full tune up and you will be all set for many years. Good luck.
 
MAX PLY said:
TM will definitely fix it. There has always been a little "play" on my machine when I switch the handle but not a big deal. It could be the handle itself or the shaft-gear assembly (i.e., what the handle fits on to). Since you already sent in your tension head to them, you might as well tell them to do a full tune up and you will be all set for many years. Good luck.
Click to expand...

So you think the crank won't fall off eventually if there is a little ''play'' on the handle and shaft-gear assembly?
 
^^Well, eventually like all parts it will wear out. My Ektelon H also has the reversable handle and it's lasted over 25 years and 1000s of racquets.
 
Krajicek Serve said:
So you think the crank won't fall off eventually if there is a little ''play'' on the handle and shaft-gear assembly?
Click to expand...

MAX PLY said:
^^Well, eventually like all parts it will wear out. My Ektelon H also has the reversable handle and it's lasted over 25 years and 1000s of racquets.
Click to expand...

Like I have said... the crank handle (part with the 2 plastic balls on either end) has a ball detente mechanism like in socket wrenches. But unlike a socket wrench, there's no positive "click" when I put the crank handle on the tensioner drive shaft. Rather it slides on so loose I was afraid it would fall off.

Wear should not be an issue unless someone is in the practice of installing the handle on and off hundreds of times a week..
 
This really isn't an issue. It's designed to detach to accommodate people who'd rather crank with their right hand. You can just order a new one.
 
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