# This...is the Trough Lock! **Source:** Cary Hardy **Type:** video **Published:** 2024-07-02 **Duration:** 5m 49s **Beat:** Pinball **URL:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnQrhxmt0aY --- ## Analysis Cary Hardy demonstrates the Trough Lock, an aftermarket device from Performance Pinball designed to prevent pinballs from spilling out of the trough when lifting the playfield—a common mistake among pinball owners. Hardy shows installation methods for both Premium/LE and Pro models, compares it to his personal magnet-based solution, and tests gameplay to confirm no negative impact. ### Key Claims - [HIGH] The Trough Lock can be installed without removing the apron on some machines by sliding it in place directly — _Hardy demonstrates direct insertion without apron removal on his machine and notes this as an easier alternative option_ - [HIGH] The Trough Lock does not negatively affect normal gameplay when properly installed — _Hardy tests the machine post-installation and confirms ball ejection works normally_ - [MEDIUM] Stern and Spooky Pinball games commonly have similar trough designs — _Hardy mentions keeping Stern and Spooky keys together, implying design similarities_ - [HIGH] Apron removal on Stern Premium/LE models requires removing four fasteners (two Phillips head screws and two 11mm bolts) — _Hardy demonstrates and identifies specific fastener locations and types during apron removal_ - [MEDIUM] Many Bally/Williams machines also have similar trough-area metal plates suitable for magnet-based solutions — _Hardy notes magnet sticking to plates 'on a lot of Bally Williams games'_ ### Notable Quotes > "The chances are, you've done it. And the thing is, more than likely, you're going to do it again. I know that I'm going to do it again." > — **Cary Hardy**, Opening > _Establishes the prevalence of the 'forgotten balls during playfield lift' problem across the community_ > "A lot of people are not going to like the idea of magnets being close to their pinballs, but I haven't had an issue yet, so whatever." > — **Cary Hardy**, Mid-video > _Acknowledges community concern about magnet-based solutions while defending his personal approach_ > "I decided to try it out. And as it turns out, at least on my game, I don't have to lift up the apron. I literally can slide this device in much easier and very quickly." > — **Cary Hardy**, Late-video > _Documents an unexpected ease-of-installation discovery that differs from the official installation method_ > "If I was to do it currently, then all the balls would come out, and it would be a big mess." > — **Cary Hardy**, Mid-video > _Demonstrates the problem the Trough Lock solves_ > "So there you have it guys that is the trough lock from performance pinball so special thanks to them for sending me this stuff so that way I can show you guys what it looks like and what it can do." > — **Cary Hardy**, Closing > _Disclosure of product sponsorship/review relationship_ ### Entities | Name | Type | Context | |------|------|---------| | Cary Hardy | person | Pinball content creator and reviewer demonstrating the Trough Lock device | | Performance Pinball | company | Manufacturer/vendor of the Trough Lock aftermarket device | | Stern Pinball | company | Major pinball manufacturer whose machines are used to demonstrate the Trough Lock; Hardy notes similar design across Stern and Spooky | | Spooky Pinball | company | Boutique pinball manufacturer mentioned alongside Stern regarding trough design similarities | | Bally/Williams | company | Legacy pinball manufacturers whose machines also feature compatible trough designs | | Trough Lock | product | Aftermarket device designed to prevent pinball spillage when lifting the playfield on pinball machines | ### Topics - **Primary:** Aftermarket pinball maintenance products, Playfield service and technical maintenance - **Secondary:** Pinball machine design standardization across manufacturers, Community problem-solving and DIY solutions ### Sentiment **Positive** (0.85) — Hardy is genuinely enthusiastic about the product, demonstrates it thoroughly, acknowledges both official and alternative installation methods, and confirms functionality. The tone is educational and helpful rather than promotional. ### Signals - **[community_signal]** Content creator using sponsored product review to educate the community about both the official product and alternative DIY solutions (confidence: high) — Hardy demonstrates multiple approaches (magnets, Trough Lock, apron-based methods) and encourages viewers to find what works best - **[product_strategy]** Trough Lock addresses a common operational pain point (pinballs spilling when lifting playfield) in modern Stern and compatible machines (confidence: high) — Hardy demonstrates the product solving the exact problem of ball spillage during playfield access - **[technology_signal]** Aftermarket innovation solving a design oversight in current-generation machines, suggesting potential manufacturing blind spots or design-for-service gaps (confidence: medium) — The Trough Lock is presented as a solution to a routine pain point, implying standard machines lack this feature despite its obvious utility --- ## Transcript So, you're new to the hobby, or maybe even a seasoned veteran. The chances are, you've done it. And the thing is, more than likely, you're going to do it again. I know that I'm going to do it again. But what is it, exactly? So what it is, is whenever you have a jackass like this, that is going to be lifting up the playfield and forgetting to remove the pinballs. Son of a bitch. Ouch. So now I'm sure over time you guys have developed your own methods and ways of go about having a remedy for this thing. And I actually have my own method and I'm going to show you what I do to try to at least remember on how to go about solving this problem. So what do I do? I mean, a lot of people, they'll stuff, you know, whether it be napkins or anything, a a rag or remove the balls What I do is that I have my coin door key over here shout out to Stern and of course Spooky Pinball And then inside here is where I keep all the keys to my pinball machines and everything So of course by grabbing a key that I need, I also grab the stack of magnets. Now if you have a premium, this gets even easier because all you have to do is just utilize your actual apron and then you can slide this down and it covers the trough area right there. Now if you don't have a premium in plastic then it'll be easier also just to get it to stick to the plate that's over here on this side and this is also on a lot of Bally Williams games and everything. But with the premiums or LEs then you can just stick it right there and that's going to keep the balls from popping out. But that's just my method. A lot of people are not going to like the idea of magnets being close to their pinballs, but I haven't had an issue yet, so whatever. Let me show you what this product can do, though. Now, there isn't like an instructional video on this, but I figured let's just wing it. Let's just see what happens here, guys. I mean, because I know I have to remove my apron, so we're going to do that. So in removing the apron, at least for your premiums, I'm going to assume it's the same for the pros. I've honestly never had to remove an apron before on these sterns. So you have your screw right here, Phillips head and a screw right here Phillips head But along with that up over here you need an 11 Let see if I can get this in the camera shot right there There are these There's one on this side. And then there's one right there. Right next to your node board. So you need to remove this one. and then remove the other one next to your trough right here. And then hopefully this apron should just come right out. So with this screw and this screw and those two under there, this comes right up like that. And that's really about as far up I need to lift it anyways to access what I need to right here. All right, so now that we're able to lift up the apron and access this portion right here, we're going to take the product in question and it goes this direction, logo facing inwards. And we're just going to slide it into that right there, and it should rest on the playfield. All right, so we're buckled all back down. Apron is no longer loose. So let's say you're ready to lift your playfield up. Now, if I was to do it currently, then all the balls would come out, and it would be a big mess. but you get it out into this position where it rests right here in the front of your machine then all you got to do is push that forward and then you good to go But does it affect how the game plays So let check that out. Let's start a game and then we'll eject it. Looks like there is no issue guys. So there we go. So I got curious, and I decided to try it out. And as it turns out, at least on my game, I don't have to lift up the apron. I literally can slide this device in much easier and very quickly, and it works no problem. now I haven't tried it on every single game including a pro but this is also another option that I would try first before removing your apron to see if it just slides in place and does what it does right here so there you have it guys that is the trough lock from performance pinball so special thanks to them for sending me this stuff so that way I can show you guys what it looks like and what it can do. If you would like to get your own set, by all means, links will be in the video description down below or QR code right here. Until next time, guys, peace out. _(Acquisition: youtube_groq_whisper, Enrichment: v3)_ --- *Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-04-13 | Item ID: d8ec3d3d-790c-49d4-a332-6ac85e105763*