Trough Lock™ - For Stern 'SPIKE' system Pinball Machines

Trough Lock™ was inspired by the issues just about every single Stern pinball route operator and collector seems to have. Pinballs fall from the playfield ball trough and onto the playfield hitting plastics and mechanisms on the way down, or into the cabinet when lifting the playfield for service or sitting the game on its end for transport.

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What has been needed is an 'always there', safe and easy way to keep the pinballs contained within the ball trough when servicing or transporting a game. Performance Pinball has developed a patent-pending, one-time install solution to solve the frustrating problem of balls falling out of the trough when lifting the playfield, potentially damaging the game and frustrating the user.

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For decades most repair technicians have utilized any small rag or object we happen to have nearby, dirty or not to avoid the hassle of removing the pinballs beforehand, or in many cases just plain forgetting to block the trough exit hole at all as we have never had a convenient, built-in solution available for Stern Pinball games. With that challenge in mind, it came time to develop a solution that both eliminated the need to remove the pinballs or scramble to "plug the hole" with the closest thing available. To create a solution that can be installed on every game with consistent and reliable availability. A solution that can become part of the machine, integrated as a crucial mechanism that could be deployed as needed, and can be retracted when not needed. 

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​A mechanism that should have been there from the factory.....

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Trough Lock benefits:

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• No additional hardware required to mount 
• Attaches to the factory playfield arch creating an entirely new mechanism
• Slides forward to lock and secure pinballs when servicing or transporting
• Forward and rearward locks keep the Trough Lock in place at all times
• Stores locked away, out of the way for gameplay
• Rattle-free, interference-free
• Eliminates accidental playfield breakage and repairs
• Versions available for both Pro and Premium / LE models​​

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With the multitude of design challenges and considerations required, we needed to develop a solution that would integrate and interact with the playfield, arch, and ball trough and not interfere with the shooter lane, auto-launcher or the ball in play. The Trough Lock interacts with and rely's on with all three of these playflied components to create an all-new mechanism.

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The mechanism is friction-fit, rattle-free, interference-free, and works with the most popular pinball machines available today. The Trough Lock™ fits and works on all Stern 'Spike' systems pinball machines from 'WWE WrestleMania' to present on both the plastic molded Pro arch as well as a version for the metal powder-coated Premium and Limited Edition arch.

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For collectors: The Trough Lock is a quick, safe, and convenient tool when modding and maintaining your highly collectible and expensive game. A low-cost way to minimize damage to your collectible. 

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For operators: Installing a Trough Lock on every game on a route can ensure that the maintenance tech will always have access to a fast and safe method of work, eliminating the need to remove the balls, saving time and reducing the likelyhood of accidental damage on site. 

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We believe that this invaluable new tool alongside Playfield Jacks™ will have a place in every new and existing Stern Spike System pinball machine, making the process of pinball maintenance and repair a safer process. ​

FAQ:

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Should the lock mechanism be a little tight on my Premium/LE playfield arch? 

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Powdercoat thickness can vary on the metal Premium/LE arch from the painting process during manufacturing. We tested many games and tolerances can vary slightly causing some fitments to be perfect and some a bit snug. After installation Initial slides may be stiff and will work in after several actuations. 

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Can I use the 'Pro' model on a 'Premium' model game? 

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Each model of the Trough Lock is designed to specefic tolerences. While the Pro lock will technically fit the Premium/LE, due to the wider internal slot dimension required for Pro games if installed there will be 'slop' or movement left to right as well as a not meeting the front of the lock and the trough assembly. These issues will reveal an unwanted gap and inheriting a loose fitment all around. We designed each models dimensions specifically to fit with tight tolerances so that they do not wear long term, rattle or shift sideways and interfere with the auto launcher assembly and sit securely when slid rearward, not in use. We DO NOT recomment the use of a Pro lock in a Premium/LE machine and connot guarantee any fitment issues.

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Will these work on Stern SAM and Whitestar games? 

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Unfortunaely not. Trough Lock was designed to work around critical details of the playfield, arch and trough assemblies. As such component positioning and clearences do not allow for this solution work with the older system Stern and Sega game components. 

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Anything else I should be aware of? 

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Games with alternate ball lock locations such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (TMNT) may not always keep all installed balls inside the trough at the end of gameplay. It is a good idea to ensure that balls in remote locations are cleared before servicing. 

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