Problems With Pat Trap Machines

The Pat Trap machine is a type of automatic trap-launching device invented by Stuart W. Patenaude for the sport of trap-shooting. Pat Trap machines are designed to improve safety by removing the need for a human operator. They are very popular with trap shooters; however, similar to any machine, there are specific ways they sometimes malfunction.

  1. Broken Targets

    • Some users of Pat Trap machines have reported a problem with the targets breaking. This makes it difficult for the shooters to remain focused, as every time a target breaks they must wait for another one before taking a shot. This problem can be caused by a loose throwing arm on the Pat Trap, by damaged O-rings or a damaged target brush, or by stuck roller plates. To determine if the roller plates are stuck, pull on them to confirm that they can still move. If none of these seems to be the cause of the problem, it could be that the targets in that batch are the source of the trouble rather than the Pat Trap itself.

    Locked-Up Machine

    • Another problem reported by some users of the Pat Trap machine is that it sometimes locks in one position, requiring a manual adjustment. There are several possible causes of this problem, including a broken hydraulic valve, a broken limit switch on the hydraulic cylinder, shorted out switches, dirty connection pins or a broken cylinder. The limit switches are a frequent source of this problem, and are usually covered by the Pat Trap warranty.

    Non-Rotating Turret

    • Users have also reported a problem wherein a Pat Trap is able to launch a target that is placed in position, but the turret will not rotate to load up the next target. In this case, the problem could be that the machine needs more hydraulic fluid. It is also possible that one of the switches under the turret needs to be repaired or replaced. Users who discuss their use of the Pat Trap on various trapshooting web forums have noted that problems similar to this that seem likely to prove expensive are often repairable with very simple and inexpensive procedures such as a fluid change.

    Troubleshooting

    • Troubleshooting problems with a Pat Trap machine begins with making sure that the machine has sufficient fluid, and that all of the parts are in normal working order as far as can be determined. If the machine is behaving strangely and one of the parts is obviously not fully functional, then this part is likely to be the source of the problem. If the source of the problem cannot be discovered, a mechanic with a circuit tester might be able to narrow it down, by determining whether or not power is flowing everywhere that it should be. Pat Trap also has its own mechanic repair specialists, and if contacted via the website one of the specialists may come out to a shooting club to look at a malfunctioning machine.