Deadworld and the crane are in sync and the crane always picks up the ball, but during play it sometimes keeps hold of the ball over the drop point and brings it back to the planet. In test mode the drop works every time.

Deadworld crane sometimes carries the ball back instead of dropping it

Cause: The balls had become magnetised, so a ball could stay stuck to the crane magnet after the magnet switched off; crane height was also marginal.

Checks

• Check that the trough optos count every ball correctly, since a miscount can confuse the ball handling.
• Run the crane and globe tests to confirm the magnet releases when commanded.

Fix

• Replace the whole set of balls with new ones.
• Raise the crane very slightly so the magnet lets go cleanly over the drop point.

Systems

• WPC DCS

Games

• Judge Dredd

Related tips

• Deadworld crane hits the cabinet and locked balls sit unevenly: tune crane and ring
• Cannon fires late or drops its ball: cannons bent downward

Source: Pinball Repair help group!! (Facebook group)