Do It Yourself Installation Tips

Bison Basketball Systems are easy to install. Bison provides clear, easy to read installation instructions complete with illustrations with every system. Then we have taken it a step further to make it even easier with our do it yourself installation tips. We have installed well over 3000 Bison systems in the Puget Sound area over the years and have developed some great time saving tips that we are happy to share with you. We will even fax you the installation instructions before your system arrives so you can get a head start (once you have made your purchase email us with your name and model number and we will get it out right away) NOTE: not all tips apply to all systems.

TIP #1: DIGGING THE HOLE
Most Bison systems require a 8"-10" x 30" hole for the pole. Use a post hole digger and a digging bar to do this job. With these tools you should be able to dig the hole in 15 to 20 minutes, even in tough digging conditions. If you don't have these two simple tools borrow them from a neighbor or rent them for a few bucks each at your local tool rental store, it makes all the difference.

TIP #2: CEMENTING THE POLE
Most Bison systems require only about 4-6, 60# bags of concrete at about $2 to $3 a bag that you can buy at any hardware store, no big deal. You can even haul it in the trunk of your car. If you don't have a wheel barrel to mix the cement in, do it a bag at a time in a five gallon bucket, works just fine. You don't need an elaborate brace system to hold the pole while its drying, gravity works just fine. Just check it a few times with the level during the first hour then don't touch it for about 12 hours. Wait at least two days before installing the rest of the system.

TIP #3: INSTALLING THE QWIK-CHANGE EXTENSION ARM
Pre-assemble the arm on the ground before installing on the pole. Clamp a small piece of 2x2 or 2x4 to the pole at the height where the extension arm mounts. This will help support the arm while you attach the arm clamps and will help keep the pole from getting scratched.

TIP #4: INSTALLING THE ZIP-CRANK EXTENSION ARM
Install this arm on the pole in sections in the following order. First install the crank mechanism brackets to the back plate and the top extension arm on the ground. Attach the back plate to the pole at the required height, then the top arm, then the crank, then the bottom arm and finally the front bracket.

TIP #5: INSTALLING HEAVY BACKBOARDS ON FIXED HEIGHT SYSTEMS
Rent a hand-crank lift from your local tool rental store for this job. The lift can be rented for about $35 and takes all the worry out of the job. With the lift even one person can install a full-size glass backboard on a fixed height pole. Sure beats 4 guys trying to lift a 300# backboard 10' in the air on ladders.

Court Layout Diagram

Important measurements: