You have had a wonderfully fuctional basketball system in your backyard for years. You have spent hours out practicing by yourself, inviting your friends and family over, and teaching your children to play. Things were going great until one afternoon, your oldest child comes in and tells you that your beloved basketball system is no more. He and his friends did not do anything wrong. They were just out shooting hoops and the backboard, quite suddenly, shattered. Hey, it happens. Backboard cannot last forever. You got a long life out of the system. Time to hang up the sneaks for good, right? No!

Basketball Backboards Can Be Replaced … Sort of

Before you junk the old system, please read the rest this blog post. The backboard is merely a part of the system. And parts are replaceable. So, question number one is where does one go to replace their backboard? So, here is the sort of part. Several manufacturers actually sell replacement backboards through a whole host of retailers in store and online. However, not every backboard online or in store will work with your system. So, the next question is who made your system? You are most likely to find a replacement for your backboard from either Spalding / Huffy or Lifetime Products as both of these manufacturers actively market replacement backboards. However, all of their backboards are not replaceable. So, next question is what material is the backboard made of? If it is tempered glass, then you are again out of luck as tempered glass backboards are not retailed from either manufacturer. You will have to attempt to order directly through the manufacturer. To speed up your quest, Lifetime Products can be reached at 1-800-225-3865 and Spalding / Huffy can be reached at 1-800-558-5234. If your backboard is not tempered glass then you are still on the right track. Both manufacturers retail backboards made with plastic, polycarbonate, or acrylic materials. So, you are a step closer to find the right system. The last thing that you will need to figure out is what mounting bracket you have on your system to verify compatibility with replacement backboards for sale. For this last question, brackets differ greatly. Contact us with any questions if you got to this point. We will be happy to assist.

Here is some help for you when researching a purchase for an arcade basketball game for your home use. First, we will look at manufacturers of these types of games. Lifetime Products, Spalding, and Escalade Sports are the largest manufacturers of these types of systems – there are many other smaller makers as well. Of these 3 main players in this market, Spalding and Escalade Sports offer a more than 1 system. Each of these manufacturers offer very similar products in quality and play. However, certain minor differences between their product offerings may sway you one way or the other. We will look at each unique portion of their systems next.

Lifetime Products Indoor Basketball Game

Lifetime Products makes only 1 system, model 90056. This system is a double shot game – meaning 1 or two players can play at the same time. This system has a couple of unique parts to it. First, the 90056 Double Shot uses infrared sensors to track scores. Traditional designs use plastic clickers to track scores. No one system is 100 percent accurate; but, infrared sensors tend to be more accurate tracking scores than plastic clickers. Plastic clickers will regularly get stuck in the down position when the ball goes through the net causing the unit to double or even triple count a score. Infrared sensors do not have that problem, essentially eliminating double and triple counting scores. Next difference for the 90056 is the frame of the unit. The poles used in the game frame are thicker diameter and heavier than other comparable poles from other manufacturers. The larger poles make the game more stable and more durable. Next difference, the frame at the base where the players shoot the balls is wider than other double shot game, sometimes by as much as a foot. This added space provides players more space to shoot and less bumping into one other. Lastly, the 90056 is one of the only Double Shot games to come with 7 basketballs. Other Double Shot games come with 5 or 6. This lower quantity of balls regularly interferes with game play when two players are playing as players fight one another to get the basketballs as they roll down the net. 7 basketballs tends to provide smoother game play, and less fighting between players.

Spalding Pop a Shot Arcade Basketball Game

Spalding currently offers two indoor basketball games, a single shot and a double shot. This immediately differentiates them from Lifetime Products as sometimes you should do not want, or do not have enough space, for a double pop a shot shot game. The single shot game provides the same game play as the double shot game, only with a smaller frame and one basketball hoop to shoot at. Their basketball games use traditional plastic clickers. Their Double Shot game tends to be less exensive than Lifetime Products.

Escalade Sports Arcade Basketball Hoops

Escalade Sports has one of the most diverse product offerings for arcade basketball games. They have single shot and double shot games. Of their double shot games they have several product qualities to choose from. Their lowest end systems would be comparable to Spalding’s Double Shot Game. Their mid-range system would be most like Lifetime’s 90056. They also have a high-end goal with a bulky, sturdy frame in what is called their RhinoPlay series. Their mid-range arcade basketball hoops and high-end goals will typically use infrared sensors to track scoring. Their low-end systems will typically use the plastic clickers to track scores.

Choosing the best system for you

These options for your indoor basketball game provide enough variety that most anyone can find a great system for their needs. Budget conscious purchases will probably want to take a look at Spalding and Escalade games. Quality conscious will want to look at Lifetime and Escalade Rhino Play offerings. Feel free to contact us with any questions not addressed in this post so that we can better assist you in your purchase.

Plan on getting a basketball hoop from Lifetime Products this year for Christmas? Don’t let assembly of the system slow down or ruin your holiday. Here is some helpful tips that will help you during your assembly process.

Read all of your instructions for assembling your Lifetime basketball hoop

When assembling your system, you might find a step that you recognize that parts for and can visualize how they fit into the completed goal. If this happens to you, you might be tempted to proceed with what seems an obvious step in the assembly without actually reading the directions. While you might luck out and get the step completed properly sometimes, this is definitely not advisable. Lifetime frequently puts little notes on certain steps that will direct you to do or not to do something until something else is completed. For instance, you might read a note that says “Do not tighten bolts until assembly is complete”; or “Before completing this step, make sure you do ‘this or that thing’ first.” By reading the instructions all the way through, you will save time by not having to redo steps when you inevitably get to a step that is not completable based on a previous step not being followed correctly.

InGround basketball hoop help

The most important thing I can suggest here is that if you are ordering an inground system and you want to assembly complete for Christmas, you will need to start several days earlier (longer if the weather does not cooperate). For instance, when assembling an in ground basketball system you will need about 72 hours for the cement to set for the inground portion of the system, even when using a ground sleeve. Plan ahead, and start assembly with enough time for all steps to be completed properly. You do not want to rush assembly of your system and have it set incorrectly.

Portable basketball hooop help

For a portable system, you ought to mainly consider what you will use to fill your base. Generally, bases of portable goals are filled with water. Water is the easiest to fill and unfill with these types of systems. However, water does have some draw backs. For instance, if your climate where you live has freezing temperatures during any part of the year, you risk damaging the base when the water expands. Lifetime makes several recommendations for dealing with water-filled bases; the key is simply doing something that avoids the water freezing. An alternative to this is sand. Sand is not a cure all per se. Sand tends to weigh about 1.5 times that have the base filled with water – depending on the density of the sand you use. So, the plus-side to sand is a heavier, more stable base and no freezing worries. The minus-side is the heavier base is much more difficult to move around and harder to put into the base. Choose wisely.

Additional help is available

Lifetime wants you to have a positive experience with their products just as much as you want it. Thus, they also provide a customer service line with trained technicians that are available to help with assembly issues at no cost to you. They can be reached at 1-800-225-3865. Use this resource as needed.

Lifetime folding tables have several different packaging structures that you ought to consider when purchasing these products. Many times, these purchases are for 2 or more tables; other times they are 50 or more. We will discuss different things to consider when purchasing these tables in volume. Also, we will take a look at purchasing http://www.competitiveedgeproducts.com/sporting-fitness-exercise-equipment-blog/?p=475 What type of shed is best for your outdoor storage needs

Sheds are produced in many different materials including wood, metal, and plastic. Most manufactures, like Lifetime Products, will make sheds out of one of these materials. Other manufacturers, such as Duramax, make sheds out of a couple of the materials. In many cases, the intended use and location you have for your outdoor storage shed will determine which material you should have for your shed. We will explore the differences and appropriate uses for sheds made with plastic and metal.

Plastic storage sheds tend to be much lighter than metal sheds. They are easily assembled and disassembled. Thus, someone that might want to move their shed to a different location on the property or a different property all together would benefit from the plastic shed modular design. Plastic are also not going to rust over time. Even with powder coating, or some other sort of coating, all metal eventually rusts. Thus, a shed with walls and roofs made of metal are much more likely to rust quicker and need upkeep compared to a plastic shed that has metal structural parts placed safely inside the shed. Thus, those who intend on using their sheds in a adverse weather climate might benefit the most from the plastic shed design.

Metal Storage Sheds: Review of Features

Most metal storage sheds are going to have a modular design (meaning the shed is built using interlocking panels). Unlike plastic sheds, most metal sheds do not include a floor. Metal sheds panels are reinforced with metal support beams to help strengthen the shed structure. Metal sheds tend to be more rigid than their plastic counterparts due to the nature of the metal material. Metal storage sheds also have a covering for the metal panels that will help resist rusting.

Who would want a metal storage shed?

Metal sheds are great for non-aesthetic, strictly functional needs. The design is very simple, rarely even having any windows. Because of this simplicity in design, they also tend to be a littler shorter than plastic sheds, which makes them ideal for strictly storage needs. This height difference can be significant in some cases. For instance, some metal Duramax sheds are as short as 65 inches of head room. Whereas most plastic sheds, such as those from Lifetime Products, have 76 inches or more of head room. Most metal sheds are going to be priced lower than comparably-sized plastic sheds.

Over time, all backboards will wear out. When the time comes, a knee-jerk reaction might be to throw out the old system and look to purchase a whole new system. While, in some cases, this might be necessary, many times you can save considerable amounts of money by simply replacing the backboard of the in ground basketball goal. Lifetime Products makes many of their systems with component backboards that can be purchased retail, rather than replacing the entire goal. Here is the way to determine if your basketball system has a backboard that can be replaced.

What is the backboard material is used on your inground basketball system?

Lifetime in ground basketball systems can have several different backboard materials. Of those, backboards that are made of polycarbonate, acrylic, and polyethylene plastic are replaceable. If your backboard is made with tempered glass, the only way to replace the item is calling in directly to Lifetime Products and order the specific part of your in ground goal. Please note that if your system has a polycarbonate, acrylic, and polyethylene basketball backboard you cannot change these materials to tempered glass. Tempered glass backboards weigh much more than similarly-sized acrylic, polycaronbate, and plastic backboards. The mounting arms for glass backboards are much larger.

What is the shape of your pole?

Now, assuming you have a backboard with the correct backboard material, the next thing we will look at is the shape of your pole. Lifetime makes in ground basketball systems with both round and square poles. The pole shape matters because the mounting bracket that attaches the backboard to the main pole of the system will differ between these two shapes of pole. If your systems has a square pole, the mounting bracket for your backboard will not fit retailed Lifetime backboards; you will have to contact Lifetime customer service to replace it. If your pole is round, than we are still on the right track.

What size of pole do you have on your basketball hoop?

Lifetime basketball systems have several different pole-size options. For their round-shaped poles, options of 2.75-inches, 3-inches, and 3.5-inches are available. To replace your backboard for an in ground basketball goal, you will need a pole size of 3.5 inches. Smaller poles will have smaller brackets that will keep you from fitting retailed replacement backboards. If your pole is smaller in size, you will need to contact Lifetime customer service to replace the backboard. Otherwise, continue forward to the next step.

Do you see a Y-bracket that attaches to the backboard?

The mounting bracket contains several components. One of these mounting brackets that is found on basketball systems with a round pole measuring 3.5-inches in diameter has 4 mounting arms that attach directly to the frame of the backboard. The other design for the same size and shape of pole has 4 mounting arms that come off from the pole of the system and then attach to a Y shaped bracket. The Y-bracket is the last part of the mounting bracket that actually attaches to the backboard. If you see this Y-bracket (it is very obvious, it simply looks like a large capital letter Y), then you can continue to the last step.

How old is your system?

Are you still reading? Good. That means we can be about 90% certain that you have a system that has a replaceable backboard. The last thing to confirm is the age of your system. The mounting brackets have actually changed sizes in the past 10 years. If your basketball hoop is older than that, you can still purchase a retailed backboard, but you will also need to purchase a new Y-bracket. The Y-bracket consists of two parts and can be purchased from Lifetime customer service. If your in ground basketball system is younger than 10 years old, then literally any retailed Lifetime backboard, including ones that are larger or smaller than your current backboard, are going to be compatible with your current system. Please note that even if you have to purchase a new Y-bracket you will still be saving money compared to replacing the entire system.

Lifetime Products can be reached at 1-800-225-3865.

The pole of the basketball system is an important part for obvious reasons; the most obvious reason being it holds the backboard and mounting hardware in position. However, there are also less obvious reasons that might escape some people. With most manufacturers, they will have a series of basketball goal offerings that will increase in quality and size. Thus, the poles of their systems will also differ in quality and size. Other manufacturers will offer basketball poles in only 1 shape, but differ in sizes. We will explore all these options in this part of the basketball hoop purchasing guide.

Basketball pole shape considerations

Basketball pole shapes are typically in one of 3 shapes: square, triangle, and rectangle. The most common of these 3 are square and triangle, and thus we will focus on these two in this article. For the cheaper basketball hoop budget, the most common and affordable will be basketball systems with a round pole. The round shape is easily constructed and uses less metal material than a comparably-sized square pole. On the other hand, more expensive basketball systems tend to have square pole that ultimately get very large the higher up the line you go in price. One consideration that few people realize when choosing a basketball hoop is that the shape of the pole can also determine the stiffness, or rigidity, of the basketball hoop. For instance, a square pole is much more rigid in the ground than a comparably-sized round pole. Thus, if you are wanting a rigid, stiff system, you will want to look for a basketball system with a square pole.

Basketball pole size considerations

Now that we have a good understanding of shape, we will take a look at considerations with the size options for the basketball pole. For most manufacturers offering round poles, the sizes will get as small as a 2.75-inch diameter, and grow all the way up to a 3.5-inch diameter. The larger the pole, the less movement you will see when the basketball system is in use. These round pole sizes will also follow a comparable budget, meaning, the larger the pole diameter, the more expensive the system. For square poles, sizes typically start at a 4×4 and go all the up to an 8×8. Some of these size options are manufacturer specific. For instance, only Spalding has basketball hoop options that have an 8×8-inch pole. Other manufacturers, such as Lifetime, Goalsetter, and Goalrilla, will have basketball pole sizes from 4×4 to 6×6. (Note: Spalding also has 4×4 to 6×6 poles).

Before ordering your basketball hoop, make sure you take the poles size and shape into consideration. If you will not be happy with a particular shape or size, save for the appropriate budget. Basketball hoops are a long-term purchase; better to save and be happy for the long term than impulse purchase a weaker system and regret it for years to come. As always, let us know if you have questions.

To start off this section, we should note that a regulation backboard is 72 inches wide and 42 inches high. Most basketball systems, however, do not have this large of a backboard. There are a large number of mini basketball hoops available, which we will not consider. We will consider basketball hoops made by Lifetime Products, Spalding, Huffy, Goalsetter, and Goalrilla product offerings that have systems that can have the rim reach 10 feet. In this group of available basketball systems, backboards widths can be as small as 44 inches wide and as big as a regulation-sized backboard. Here are some more details for each size group.

Small basketball backboards: 44 inches to 48 inches

Small basketball backboards are typical on basketball hoops priced under $300. These backboard systems will normally be made with plastic, polycarbonate, or acrylic. For these backboard sizes, they are available on inground, portable, and wall-mount basketball systems. The poles on the inground and portable system options will normally be 2.75 inches to 3.5 inches round.

Medium basketball backboards: 50 inches to 54 inches

These mid-sized backboard encompass systems in the both the high end and low end of systems. Basketbal hoops with these backboard sizes are typically priced between $300 to $1199.00. In the cheaper part of that spectrum, the backboards will be made of polycarbonate and acrylic. Those systems with these backboard materials are normally priced below $499.00. Where this backboard size category shifts into the higher-priced systems is when the backboard material is tempered glass. All of the above-mentioned manufacturers will have tempered glass backboard systems in this size category.

Large basketball backboard: 60 inches and 72 inches

These basketball backboards are almost exclusively made with tempered glass, with a few acrylic backboard options. Systems with this size of backboard are also almost exclusively in-ground goals, with only a couple of portable options. Goalsetter, makes a wall-mount backboard system in both a 60-inch and 72-inch backboard size. These basketball systems will also have larger poles (for in-ground and portable options). These poles are typically 5×5 inch and 6×6 inch sizes, with a couple of options with an 8×8 inch size.

Nearly every basketball hoop manufacturer has a height adjustment mechanism of some sort. These height adjustment mechanisms can be as simple as a turn crank, or has complicated as a pneumatic piston lift. This post will discuss the different options available from each of the major manufacturers.

Goalsetter

Goalsetter provides one of the most basic, but effective height adjustment mechanisms. Their height adjuster is a simply crank system. The unique part about their mechanism offering is that you have a choice of an internal or external location for that mechanism. The internal design encloses the majority of the cranking components inside the main pole of the basketball system. Whereas the external deisgn has the majority of the components outside of the pole. The internal design typically costs $100 more for than the external mechanism. Goalsetter is actually one of few manufacturers that also makes a fixed-height backboard system in the high end of basketball goals.

Spalding / Huffy

Spalding and Huffy have several different types of height adjusters. Their most basic mechanism is their pole height adjuster, which requires the use of a broom stick to engage the mechanism. This mechanism is typically referred to as Exacta Height. From there, they have a handle-engaged mechanism that slides up and down a pole system. Lastly, Spalding and Huffy’s high-end goals will have a turn crank mechanism, typically referred to as U-Turn.

Lifetime Products

Lifetime Products, like Spalding, has low-end and high-end basketball goals. Their low-end systems will have a broom-stick enabled mechanism called the Quick Adjust. From there, all the rest of their mechanisms are handle-engaged mechanims. One of these is called the Action Grip, which uses counter-balance springs to raise and lower the backboard in 6-inch increments. The next mechanism up is called the Power Lift, which is a pneumatic device that raised and lowers the backboard height in infinite increments again with the use of a handle. Lastly, Lifetime’s high-end basketball goal line, the Mammoth basketball hoop, uses what is called the Rapid Cam and Mammoth Pump. These are also pneumatic devices engaged by the use of a handle, but are much more robust than the Power Lift mechanism.

Goalrilla

Goalrilla, much like Goalsetter, uses strictly turn cranks to raise and lower backboards. All 3 of their systems will use the same crank, which allows height adjustment mechanism from 7.5 feet to 10 feet in infinite increments.

These are the height adjustment mechanisms available from the major basketball hoop manufacturers. Choose whatever mechansim is best suited for your basketball hoop needs.