Tennis ball machines come with a variety of features that create various practice options. Depending on the type of machine you purchase, you will have noise, power source and ball wear issues to consider. Some machines can put spin on balls and distribute them to different areas of the court. Features such as portability and programmability affect the cost of a ball machine, as well. Understanding the basic features of ball machines will help you purchase the right one for you.
Step 1
Examine whether the machine projects balls using rotating wheels or air pressure. Rotating wheels compress the ball between two hard wheels and shoot it forward, while pneumatic tube machines shoot balls after enough air pressure builds up behind the ball. Compressed air machines create less wear on balls, but offer a less consistent feed because of the interaction of the air pressure in the machine and pressure inside the ball, which varies as balls get older.
Step 2
Listen to the machines to learn their volume. If you are buying a ball machine for home or early morning use, some ball machines, especially pneumatic tube machines, might be too loud for the neighborhood.
Step 3
Examine the machine to see whether it will put spin on the ball. Rotating wheel models have wheels side by side or on top of each other. If they are on top of the other, they can create topspin and backspin on balls by rotating in opposite directions. Check the machine to see whether it has counter-rotating wheels. For ball spin from a compressed air machine, you'll need a spin adapter.
Step 4
Examine the machine to see whether it offers oscillation or other methods to project balls to different areas of the court. Some ball machines move the barrel or machine to the left and right to allow you to alternately hit forehands and backhands.
Step 5
Determine whether the machine is programmable. Some ball machines come with an electronic module that lets you program random ball feeds or patterns to create different workouts. Some machines offer a wireless remote to let you turn the machine on and off or change the program.
Step 6
Examine the power source of the machine. Some ball machines require a plug-in power source while others use batteries.
Step 7
Lift the machine to determine whether it is portable. While some machines have wheels to help you move them from a storage area to the court, others are light enough to carry and place in a car.
Step 8
Read the warranty that comes with the machine. Check the length of the warranty, if it includes shipping for repairs, if it includes parts and labor, or whether an extended warranty is available.
Things You'll Need
- Manufacturer sales sheets
- Warranties
Member Comments