Converting a Portable Basketball Hoop to an In-Ground Basketball Hoop
We have had a portable basketball hoop on our driveway for years. Our kids love playing basketball, and we have a large driveway. But after a few years of heavy use, it was time for us to get a new hoop. The base of our hoop shattered over the winter, so we bought a new in-ground hoop to replace that one since we did not want to pay to have an in-ground hoop installed.
Below is a picture of the base of our new hoop. Unfortunately, this base only lasted a year before it started to leak from the bottom.
At this point, we decided we needed something different. After a lot of research, we decided on the Probase system. This system is simple to install and allows you to replace the hoop or take it with you if you move. It is also a great alternative to having an in-ground hoop professionally installed, so we went for it.
We immediately noticed how sturdy the product was when it arrived in the mail. It seems well-built, and we hope it lasts a long time.
The first step is pretty simple - just put the base together with a few nuts and bolts. It should look like this.
Next, it is recommended that you check for rocks or other obstructions where you are going to install it by driving a spike, pole or rod before attempting to install the Probase. In our case, we used a large crowbar. It went in smoothly and came out easily.
After confirming that there are no obstructions, you can start hammering the Probase in place. A block is provided for you to place on top of the Probase. This is what you are supposed to use to hammer it in place. We had mixed results with this.
Using an 8-lb sledgehammer, we were able to hammer it about 3/4 down. Towards the end, we found it difficult to keep the block on. Every time we would hit it, it would slip off. We tried keeping it in place with several layers of duct tape, but that did not work.
After several tries at swinging at the block and flinging it one way and then another, we placed a stack of 2x6 boards on top instead of the block. That gave us a bigger target to hit and allowed us to finish the job.
Once the base is fully installed, you can attach the top with a few more nuts and bolts. You will need to grab a level at this point to make sure everything is level. When everything is level, you can go ahead and tighten all the bolts.
If your portable hoop has a vertical pole, you can put the pole in place, secure it with the two bolts and you can start using your new in-ground hoop. In our case, our pole is angled, so there are some additional steps we had to take.
Refer to Angled Hoop Conversion Guide for procedure
We found the easiest way was to bring the hoop into our garage and place it on top of our garbage cans to make the adjustments to the back.
Once the adjustments were made, we were finally able to put our hoop up in place. Unfortunately, we had to take a break in between for an appointment, so it was pretty dark by the time we finished this step.
And here is the final result. It is pretty sturdy, and we are very happy with it so far. It does wiggle a bit when the ball hits it but less than it used to when it was on a portable base. We have now reclaimed some space on our driveway, and the curb appeal has increased as well.
