Big Red - Homemade Pitching Machine

Pitching Machine made from dc motors from treadmills, and the treadmill controllers. Independent wheel rotation and variable speeds allowing the machine to throw various pitches, e.g., slider, sinker, change up, fast ball, etc

[@umbrellaBuddha]

that, my friend, is aweosme. good job

[@RANGEROVER13]

This is awesome well done my friend.

[@MrAirborne26]

We used 5" galvanized channel steel for the part that holds the dc motors and an old 3" steel satellite dish post to hold everything. You need something pretty robust because the motors can really crank up some speed and vibrate something not so sturdy. The tires are actual pitching machine tires I found from a source on ebay. Chrome hubcaps were from old golf cart. You will also note we have each tire run with its own motor, which also uses it's own controller. If you use one controller-

[@MrAirborne26]

The motors are about 6400 rpms each. We do not know how fast it will pitch yet, but at 1/3 power, we're estimating 60-65 mph-it will smoke your hand if you're catching.

[@r1skt8k3r]

How much did this pitching machine cost to build?? It is a wicked homemade pitching machine!!!

[@NewYorkStateOfCrime]

Damn man this is great. I just moved to a house and was blessed with a nice yard. Im thinking about building a cage on my own. What kind of fencing did you use ?

[@xMERKEDx12]

I am currently making a pitching machine also, I have a few question for you. What did you use for the frame of the pitching machine, I am unsure or what to use right now, and would appreciate some suggestions, or information about how you made yours. Also, what type of wheels are did you use for the machine, and where did you get them? Also, the machine looks great!

[@xMERKEDx12]

Thank you very much, I just have one more questions, what RPM are the motors, and what is the max speed of your machine?

[@MrAirborne26]

tires were $90, treadmill dc motors $70, treadmill controller boards $70, motor flywheel machining, $80; everything else we had laying around the shop.

[@rolltide0437]

just wondering how you got the motors to turn in different directions

[@MrAirborne26]

reverse the polarity on one of the motors, will run in reverse.

[@josephwestover7872]

What's the size of the wheels?

[@MrAirborne26]

got netting from theknotman on ebay.

[@egee9983]

10awg 20amp? 10awg is rated for 30amps

[@MrAirborne26]

20amp

[@masf1977]

That’s ok, is because the voltage drop on 100 feet extension cord.

[@iyamwhite3931]

Dads now days are lazy,and worthless. My dad in the 70's used to throw an hour of pitches to me to hit.

[@masf1977]

Today’s dads are smarter. Nothing wrong with using the technology.