Spalding Converter Mounting Bracket

I rated this 5 stars as when it is installed, it works great. PROs: What's great is that it works for more than just the backboard shown, as it supports a rounded backboard with "Y" bracket as well as rectangular backboards with either straight or "Y" brackets.Since a neighbor was throwing away a broken stand-alone pole mount system, we used their Wilson rounded backboard, rim, and net which were still in good shape. Purchased this system hoping it would both work and fit. The backboard fit wonderfully on this system and looks like the bracket included with this system supports many different types of backboards, old and new.We also had minimal space on a slanted roof and it fit great. It is a very strong(and heavy) system.CONs: The installation IS moderately difficult, the instructions are pretty good, it's just that the process of putting up ANY mounting system is more on the difficult side. Here's some tips(not necessarily in order) to make your installation easier:1) Unpacking: All the parts were there for all three mount types (pole, wall, and roof - minus lag bolts for wall and roof - see point 3), however it was difficult to "see" the "Y" bracket that would attach to our backboard. Besides the next point, the board bracket comes as two straight pieces(Part #25) which becomes the new bracket for your board. In section B, Step 6, you bend the pieces to form the "Y" bracket. We attached the bottom 1st using the backboard's old bolts, NOT the rim itself though, which provides enough support to then bend the "Y" into the correct and exact position for your board.2) The one glaring ommission in the instructions is this - DEPENDING ON YOUR BOARD TYPE, PERFORM SECTIONS "A" OR "B", THEN CONTINUE ONTO SECTION "C". So for either backboard with a "Y" bracket, start with section "B", not section "A".3) Tools: Get all the tools mentioned including optional tools mentioned. For a roof install, you will additionally need 6 3/8" lag bolts and compression washers(need 4 3/8" lag bolts for wall install). For a roof install, also add 2 5/16" lag bolts and compression washers. These SHOULD be 6" long and get drilled directly into the truss(wood beams) in your roof. I would HIGHLY recommend a drill to socket adapter(~$5) for these long bolts to save a LOT of time. Also, get an extra long 3/8" drill bit to be able to drill deep enough into the truss. Get these at a hardware store.There's more to this one: Look on the internet for more info on how to install a roof mount/adding more wood underneath to mount into. I did a deep scan with a stud finder to try to find a truss and still had to do smaller pilot holes to find 1 of 3 scan readings as good. Ended up using 3 3/8" X 6" lag bolts and 3 3/8" X 1 1/2" lag bolts for the main connection as only one side lined up with my truss(long bolts) and the other had to go into plywood only(shorter bolts). I then purcahsed 3 3/8" hex bolts between 4 1/2" and 5" long along with 3 compression washers and nuts to give the roof mount additional bracing to compensate for the one side not being drilled into deeper wood. I also ended up using 2 5/16" X 1 1/2" lag bolts for the 2 support struts and secured them as best possible into my roof's plywood. (I do not have access to add 2X4s under the roof) For me, it worked out great and is handling all the stresses as we continue to play basketball.So this part makes sense to me, the roof(or wall) lag bolts are going to be custom depending on your environment. it was about $20 of parts(lag bolts, washers, extra bolts, etc. including a socket adapter) to make my roof connection. Took me a good part of a day just for this including going back and forth to the hardware store several times, hopefully you won't have to.5) Ladders: We NEEDED our 12 ft. ladder to do most of the roof work with an ADDITIONAL 8 ft.(minimum) ladder for two adults to lift into place while a third was on the roof attaching the 2 needed bolts.4) Contrary to the instructions, PUT THE RIM ON LAST, as this system is heavy(and strong). We used two old bolts from our used board's previous mounting system to temporarily connect it to the bottom of the "Y" bracket. You could instead use 2 of your 4 rim bolts to connect the backboard to the mounting system. This takes the weight down during the "big lift". Besides, the rim will just get in the way.5) People needed: At the point where the backboard with 1/2 of the mounting system gets connected to your wall or roof mount(the "big lift"), you will need 3 people minimum. We had two adults to lift the backboard and horizontal/diagonal elevator tubes to the roof(or wall) mount, while a third (our 11 yr. son)was on the roof putting the two bolts in(and one end of the large spring-loosely) to make the connection self supporting. Took us about 3 minutes. We also had our other son holding one of the ladders steady, so can understand why some say get 3-4 adults for that step.6) Four tricks to make the "big lift" easier: A) Don't have the rim installed first, it's a lot of unecessary weight to lift. B) Set the adjustment on the poles to the lowest position as best possible C) The 3rd person's only job is to get those 2 bolts on - practice on the ground before the roof or wall mount goes on the roof or wall. This also helps to make sure that one of the bolts isn't too tight so that the poles fit later during the "big lift". Do this before tightening bolts in Section "B" step 3. D) "Lace" the 4 elevator tubes using some strong string/twine through the middle holes of the elevator tubes so they are in their relative positions with some play and aren't flying around loose, but rather look close to the final pictures before lifting. Practice lifting on the ground to ensure that the 4 elevator tubes are not swinging randomly.Doing all of this saved a lot of time and seemed a lot safer for us. All of the other steps were completed with one or two people, usually the other just holding the ladder, or on a second ladder holding the rim at the end.7) Springs: Section"A",step 6 OR Section"B",step 5 has a picture showing a small spring going over a bolt. It goes under. In section"C",step 6, use the lowest height adjustment for the "big lift" and those 1st two bolts connecting the big spring loosely to the top bolt, THEN(separately and possibly after a break) use the HIGHEST height adjustment before stretching the big spring while adding the 3rd bolt. (Have someone hold your ladder for most of this)Tip: If doing a roof or wall install, use one of the "U" connectors(from the pole mount) to stretch the large spring enough to get on that 3rd bolt, then pull it out after securing the bolt.All of the above is to help anyone with their own installation. These systems are heavy and if you are not able to securely mount them to a roof, wall, or pole then get professional help. For us, we were able to complete the installation safely by using a combination of following the instructions, getting additional help reading reviews like this, and using common sense. Enjoy your basketball system!

Ok, after 2 failed attempts at mounting my 48" backboard on the front of my garage, I decided to give this a try. Here is a breakdown of my assembly. First I spent 30 min. reading reviews and other customers issues with assembly. Very good by the way. I found great tips in those reviews. After I received the mounting system, I spent 30-40 min the night before reading through the instructions at least 4-6 times. Once I found the correct way to mount my board (Spalding 48" Composite) I felt very confident that I could this. The next day I spent 1-2 hours reinforcing my garage wall with extra braces, tying them in to the framing. I didn't want this thing coming down. It was very heavy. I then attached my brackets to the garage. MAKE SURE YOUR BRACKETS ARE LEVEL, AND THAT YOU REAM OUT ALL THE PAINT FROM THE HOLES. You will be glad you did! Next, I spent about 30 min assembling the bracket to the backboard. It really was not that hard. Just read instructions carefully and study the diagrams before hand. Now the fun part. My wife and I have both celebrated our 50th B-Day, and the thought of the two us hanging this thing was a little scary, but here we go. We took a 8ft and 6 ft step ladders and tried to position them in a manner that I would be able to steady the backboard and she would be able to pin it to the wall brackets. Well after a few choice words and a little moaning and groaning, we almost gave up. I finally positioned the 8ft ladder directly in front of the garage so that once I lifted the backboard up the ladder, I could rest the bottom of the board on the top ladder rung. I then balanced the board while my attempted to pin the mount to the brackets ( bottom poles first). I was so glad we reamed the paint out first. I had to lift the board some, but we managed to get the bottom poles pinned. We then lifted the board straight up into the highest position, and that gave us what we needed to pin the top poles and the spring easily. WE Did It ! Put the ladders away and challenged the wife to a game of Horse. This bracket is very secure and the whole family loves it. By the way. I measured the height of the rim, and we are at 10' 1/8". Close enough for me. Make sure your bracket is at 106 and 3/4 like the instructions state. thanks for letting me share my story! Have fun!

I purchased a Lifetime basketball backboard from Walmart. I also wanted the mounting kit but they do not sell that in their store, so I had to order it on line. I ordered the Lifetime Powder Coated Universal Mounting Kit #9594 for $29.95. To install this backboard mounting bracket, on a 3 and 1/2 inch pole. the pole has to be at least 120 inches tall. Mine unfortunately was only 111 inches. I had that pole cemented in my yard for the past 20+ years so was not able to remove it without damage to the basketball court. My grandson is only 10 years old, so I wanted to be able to adjust the height of the hoop as he grows. I had to return the Lifetime Universal Mounting Kit back to Walmart and then I purchased the Huffy Conversion Mounting Kit, for $50.99. With this mounting kit, one can adjust the height of the hoop and mount at 105 and 3/4 inch from the ground. I was able to put all the parts together, but I needed help to mount it on the pole. One cannot mount this by ones self. When I ordered this Huffy Conversion Kit, I was not sure if I would be able to mount the Lifetime Backboard that I purchased from Walmart, but my concerned were needless. It fit perfectly. I did not know that Lifetime also made an adjustable mounting kit as well. Their kit sells for $73.41 and from the picture it looks identical to the Huffy Kit. My grandson and I played a game of HORSE after we installed the backboard and hoop and it works without any problems. I will give this item five stars. I will let you know how it holds up in the weather since I live in a rainy part of the state.. A. Maeda