The Essential Pinsetter Maintenance Checklist to Keep Your Lanes Running Smoothly
A proper pinsetter maintenance checklist isn’t just about avoiding breakdowns — it ensures consistent gameplay, protects staff, and improves every bowler’s experience. Whether you manage a small family-run center or a larger chain, this guide gives you the daily, weekly, and monthly routines your technicians should follow to keep lanes operational and safe.
🔧 Daily Pinsetter Maintenance Checklist
These quick checks take minutes but prevent costly downtime:
- Clear debris from the pit area — Look for fallen pins, dust, and lane scuffs that can jam the system.
- Visually inspect belts and chains — Check for fraying, misalignment, or tension issues.
- Test sweep arm operation — Ensure it resets fully without lag or bounce.
- Confirm pin table alignment — Prevents mispositioned or dropped pins during setup.
➡️ Performing this daily checklist takes less than 10 minutes per lane and can save hours of repair work.
🛠️ Weekly Pinsetter Maintenance Tasks
Focus on deeper mechanical elements to prevent wear-related failures:
- Lubricate key moving parts — Including distributor arms, belt bearings, and lift rods. (Use the OEM lube chart.)
- Check and adjust clutch tension — Prevents erratic motion or binding.
- Inspect elevator and ball return systems — Remove any buildup or worn-out rubber parts.
📆 Pro Tip: Use a CMMS like MaintBoard to auto-schedule these weekly PMs.
🗓️ Monthly Pinsetter Maintenance Tasks
These deeper inspections help identify long-term wear patterns:
- Inspect motor performance — Listen for odd noises, heat, or delayed startup.
- Check distributor timing — Ensures smooth pin placement.
- Tighten frame bolts and fasteners — Vibration can loosen internal structures over time.
Use your CMMS to log findings, spot trends, and track maintenance per lane.
🚨 Common Mistakes in Pinsetter Maintenance
- Skipping daily checks during busy weekends
- Forgetting lubrication schedules
- Allowing untrained staff to reset jammed machines
- Not tracking recurring issues with a digital system
❄️ Seasonal Maintenance Tips
- Before peak season: Deep clean the machine room, refresh lube points, and inspect spare part stock.
- After league finals: Perform a full audit of all pinsetter components and reset PM schedules.
- During closures or off-peak: Schedule electrical inspections and full motor overhauls.
⚠️ Pinsetter Safety Reminders
- Always follow lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) protocols
- Post laminated safety checklists in the machine room
- Train all staff on emergency shutoffs and restricted zones
🧩 How to Get Started with a Pinsetter Maintenance Plan
If you’re starting from scratch or want to improve consistency across your team, here’s a quick 3-step setup to put this checklist into action:
- Document Your Equipment
List all pinsetter models by lane, including make, model, and any known quirks. You can do this in Excel or load them directly into a CMMS. - Assign Responsibilities
Decide who’s doing what: daily checks might be assigned to shift openers, while weekly and monthly tasks go to your lead technician. - Use Digital Reminders
Maintenance gets skipped when it’s not visible. Use a CMMS to auto-assign tasks and send reminders — especially for weekly/monthly items.
📍 Bonus Tip: Start with 2 lanes this week. Expand next week.
📥 Download the Full Pinsetter Maintenance Checklist
Want a printable version of this pinsetter maintenance checklist?
[We’re preparing it — this link will be updated shortly.]
🚀 Why Use a CMMS Like MaintBoard?
MaintBoard is built for busy facilities like yours, where downtime hurts revenue. With MaintBoard, you can:
- Assign tasks per lane — so techs know exactly where to go
- Attach digital checklists — no more clipboards or lost papers
- See which lanes break down most often
- Generate maintenance reports — useful for insurance, audits, or management reviews
One bowling center reduced their pinsetter downtime by 38% just by tracking PMs through MaintBoard.
No more whiteboards or missed checks. Just structure, clarity, and fewer breakdowns.
🙋 Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I inspect my pinsetters?
Daily visual checks, weekly lubrication, and monthly deep inspections are ideal.
Do all pinsetters use the same checklist?
Not exactly. AMF and Brunswick systems have specific intervals — always follow the manufacturer’s lube and timing charts.
Can I track this with an app?
Yes! MaintBoard lets you digitize checklists, assign tasks, and get mobile alerts.
What’s the biggest benefit of using a digital pinsetter maintenance checklist?
Consistency. When every tech follows the same steps and records completions, you avoid gaps, missed PMs, and surprise breakdowns.