Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

A little quiz. The picture shows a self-propelled vehicle, the tank is filled with oil which is distributed by 39 (yes 39) injectors; yet it is electrically propelled and controlled by a program that is pre-set on a computer.

It is built in the US and there are only about a dozen in the UK. It travels little faster than a brisk walking pace and costs about the same as a small family saloon. What is it used for?

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Due to the onset of my mid eighties I'm no longer sprightly and rarely seen in my Austin special. I have written a book though. https://amzn.eu/d/7rwRRqL

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7219 Location: Edinburgh

It looks as if it is for indoor use. I wonder if the oil distribution is for conditioning a floor. As I write this a little bell just woke up some grey cells in my head that tell me that Pigtin had some connection with the maintenance of bowling alleys. I wonder if this could be the answer? Wink

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=BF4GqqQNKEQ&NR=1
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=6ctyyqfdxF0

Peter
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1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

You get the cigar Peter. We had one in our workshop today. It has a lane oiling system with an injector for each board across the lane. It was developed from the Mercury outboard motor system for their parent company Brunswick. The technology on these things has surpassed that used on the pinsetters by a long way. Our company installs and services these, amongst many other types.

Don.
_________________
Due to the onset of my mid eighties I'm no longer sprightly and rarely seen in my Austin special. I have written a book though. https://amzn.eu/d/7rwRRqL

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7219 Location: Edinburgh

I imagine that if they hadn't put in that development effort those Mercury outboards could have made quite a mess of the lanes and especially if they had not added computer control. Shocked

Peter

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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

I have a couple of Mercury outboards and they are as much use as a lane conditioners as the lane conditioner is on the back of a boat. But at least they don't drown you. I'm very impressed by your detective work.
Don.
_________________
Due to the onset of my mid eighties I'm no longer sprightly and rarely seen in my Austin special. I have written a book though. https://amzn.eu/d/7rwRRqL

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22819 Location: UK

by gum I'd never have guessed that!! Smile

R
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buzzy bee · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 3382 Location: South Cheshire

Hi

Looked like a hoover to me! Surprised me on the video how big it was, doesn't really show size in you picture, bet they are heavy pigtin?

If there are only a few about, how do you oil the alleys when they don't have one of those?

I have been bowling hundreads of times, but never thought about this!

Cheers

Dave

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

Hi Buzzy, all bowling centres have these now, or at least a simpler less expensive form of the same thing. Before these machines became available they would oil the lane with a "Flit" spray and then even the oil out with a towel on a mop. The resulting lane conditions were not very consistent.
It's now considered so important to have consistency for league play, that a reading is taken across each of the 39 boards. The conditioner (oil) has a uv content which is read by a special computerized scanner to ensure the oil is thicker in the centre boards and then tails off after about fifteen feet. The oil is also specially formulated to prevent "carry down:" Where it is carried down by the ball and causes the pins to slide about on the pindeck.
Of course it's all really more complicated that that, but best not get lost in technicalities. Wink

Don.

The weight of these things is a very big problem, the one shown weighs 170kg and the Health and Safety people have been taking an interest.
_________________
Due to the onset of my mid eighties I'm no longer sprightly and rarely seen in my Austin special. I have written a book though. https://amzn.eu/d/7rwRRqL

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7219 Location: Edinburgh

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

The manfacturers if the infernal device have just remembered to send us the tee shirt depicting said monster. You win it as a prize Peter and can wear it with pride.

If you can PM me with an address we shall send it soon as poss'.

Don.
_________________
Due to the onset of my mid eighties I'm no longer sprightly and rarely seen in my Austin special. I have written a book though. https://amzn.eu/d/7rwRRqL

peter scott · Joined: 18 Dec 2007 Posts: 7219 Location: Edinburgh

Hi Don,

I do appreciate the kind thought but I think it would probably be better covering the torso of a bowler. Much as I have tried over the years I just never mastered anything that involved balls! Shocked

Thanks and kind regards,

Peter Wink

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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

pigtin · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 1879 Location: Herne Bay

Point taken Peter, wouldn't be seen dead wearing one myself, I hate bowling. Then it just has to go to Buzzy the only other one to post on the thread and: who admits to bowling; has he no shame? Wink

Seriously Dave, If you could PM me with your address... but I can't guarantee it will fit you.

Don.
_________________
Due to the onset of my mid eighties I'm no longer sprightly and rarely seen in my Austin special. I have written a book though. https://amzn.eu/d/7rwRRqL