Français
Deutsch
Español
Italiano
NederlandsMoving a pinball without damaging it
A pinball weighs 100 to 150 kg and dislikes knocks and vibration. How to move it safely.
Preparing the machine
Unplug the machine. Remove the ball(s) (otherwise they roll and break everything on the way) and secure or remove fragile playfield parts if needed.
Take out the playfield glass and store it flat, wrapped in a blanket. On most machines the backglass also comes out: carry it separately, flat, with the glass protected.
Remove the legs (two bolts each) and fold down or remove the head depending on the model, protecting the cables.
Carrying and loading
You need at least two people. A hand truck or strap trolley makes stairs much easier. Never lift the machine by the head.
In the vehicle, lay the cabinet on its back or on its side depending on the model, on a thick blanket, and strap it down so it cannot slide.
Avoid cold and damp. After a trip in cold weather, let the machine come back to room temperature for several hours before switching it on, to avoid condensation.
Reassembling
Refit the legs, set the pitch (often around 6.5 degrees, the exact value is in the manual) and the left-right level.
Check that all connectors are properly plugged in before switching on, then test all flippers and coils.
For a long trip or a valuable machine, a carrier used to pinball machines is a good investment: ask a repairer in your area for advice.