How to move a pin in a pickup truck?

endrien

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Wondering incase I ever get around to buying one, how would you move it? Do you remove the backbox/legs?
 
take the legs off..takes balls out..put something between the head and the body..ie cardboard..blankets..etc...then fold the head down..throw it in the truck and call it a day :)

I usually plastic wrap mine in case of rain..and tarp it as well.
 
Here's how I move games...

- Cover the bed of the truck in a tarp or with blankets to protect the bed of the truck and your game.

- Fold down the backbox, remove it if it doesn't fold down

- Move the game to the edge of the bed

- Remove the front legs of the pin, and put it up on the bed and shove it about 3/4 of the way onto the bed.

- Remove the rear legs and push the pin the rest of the way in.

- Secure it so it doesn't slide around while you drive.

- Reverse the process at home when you take it out.

There can be variations to this, but this is the most simple way of getting it down, if you ask me.
 
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take the legs off..takes balls out..put something between the head and the body..ie cardboard..blankets..etc...then fold the head down..throw it in the truck and call it a day :)

I usually plastic wrap mine in case of rain..and tarp it as well.

Yep. That's the way I've always done it as well, and I've never run into any problems. Definitely make sure you but something between the backbox and the body of the machine. You don't want those bastards banging together when you hit bumps and pot-holes.
 
Oh yeah...always remove the balls before moving the machine. For putting something between the backbox and game, I usually like a thick blanket or towel.

Sometimes I will also ratchet strap the backbox to the body so it doesn't bounce around much, but that's purely optional.
 
And remember, as soon as you get it home, and into your house, something will not work. You will usually have a stray switch stuck, or a connector that's been bounced loose during transport. :)

But be warned. Once you travel to the dark side of Pinball, you will be stuck for life. It's both a curse, and a blessing. You have been warned.
 
Oh and pray that you don't have to carry it up or down any stairs haha
Thank god I don't....Garage is on ground level :)

And remember, as soon as you get it home, and into your house, something will not work. You will usually have a stray switch stuck, or a connector that's been bounced loose during transport. :)

But be warned. Once you travel to the dark side of Pinball, you will be stuck for life. It's both a curse, and a blessing. You have been warned.

Oh yes....If only I could get my hands on one....
Theres a lady luck I may be able to get and my local arcade has had a tales of the crypt keeper pin in the corner assumed non working for awhile now that I might see about....(I have the topper...I was meant to get the pin :p)
 
Tales from the Crypt is one of my fave pins of all time. One of the first pins I played ALOT as a teen at our local pool hall. I still want one someday :) Good memories with that pin..

Our buddy ran the joint and let us play pool or foose or games afterhours...all free..
 
sometimes it is a good idea to take the backglass out. Even with the head folded down and a pad between it and the playfield glass it can still crack or shatter from the vibrations in the truck.
 
But be warned. Once you travel to the dark side of Pinball, you will be stuck for life. It's both a curse, and a blessing. You have been warned.

Maybe it's because I've rediscovered an old love that existed before I became a videogame freak, but getting my first pin has been one of the highlights of all the years that I've been in the hobby. I absolutely love having my own machine, and on the day that I got it, I spent FAR more time enjoying it than ANY video game that I have ever purchased (on its first day of ownership) -- whether it be "grail" or not.

The heavy amounts of artwork, the complicated mechanical designs, the immersive feeling of the sights and sounds, the completely random gameplay...pins just seem to have a little more soul than the average video game. And I'm not knocking video games, lord knows I've devoted a great deal of my life to them over the last 30+ years, but a good pin really is something to behold.

I look forward to acquiring more.
 
Maybe it's because I've rediscovered an old love that existed before I became a videogame freak, but getting my first pin has been one of the highlights of all the years that I've been in the hobby. I absolutely love having my own machine, and on the day that I got it, I spent FAR more time enjoying it than ANY video game that I have ever purchased (on its first day of ownership) -- whether it be "grail" or not.

The heavy amounts of artwork, the complicated mechanical designs, the immersive feeling of the sights and sounds, the completely random gameplay...pins just seem to have a little more soul than the average video game. And I'm not knocking video games, lord knows I've devoted a great deal of my life to them over the last 30+ years, but a good pin really is something to behold.

I look forward to acquiring more.

Amen, brother.
 
I use a strong "moving blanket" on the bed of my truck. It really helps for pulling the game out when you get home. It's a bitch to move by yourself untill you get a good method, then not too hard. Even 100x easier now that I have a pinball mover. I can raise it to the level of my truck bed, put the machine onto that and then lower. ALTHOUGHT at that point I much take the machine now a bunch of steps into my basement. That's another story.

BTW, I know everyone will say to take the balls out, but I have never done that. Opinions?

Steve
 
I've driven with the balls in as well. I don't think it's a huge issue. It would be more of a problem if you had the pin folded and standing vertical. But if it's laid down horizontal and your not driving down country bumpy roads, it's not that much to worry about IMO
 
I use a strong "moving blanket" on the bed of my truck. It really helps for pulling the game out when you get home. It's a bitch to move by yourself untill you get a good method, then not too hard. Even 100x easier now that I have a pinball mover. I can raise it to the level of my truck bed, put the machine onto that and then lower. ALTHOUGHT at that point I much take the machine now a bunch of steps into my basement. That's another story.

BTW, I know everyone will say to take the balls out, but I have never done that. Opinions?

Steve

I should be able to move a pin if I can get this out of my truck by myself:
http://tinypic.com/usermedia.php?uo=ru02A/45RKBQI7V6FINMgIh4l5k2TGxc
Though I would probably need help lifting it into the garage.
 
I pick up, load, unload, and move pinball machines all the time by myself, but I wouldn't recommend it. It really is best to have a second pair of hands and another set of strong shoulders. I've just moved so many over time that I have it down to a science and can handle it pretty darn easily by myself if no stairs are involved.

If the pin needs to go up or down stairs, I won't do it without help, despite the fact that I'm confident I could make it work.
 
I use my appliance dolly,it has a strap to hold the machine while you wheel it down the stairs.Lindsey has ramps to roll the dolly off his truck...very slick.
 
I pick up, load, unload, and move pinball machines all the time by myself, but I wouldn't recommend it. It really is best to have a second pair of hands and another set of strong shoulders. I've just moved so many over time that I have it down to a science and can handle it pretty darn easily by myself if no stairs are involved.

If the pin needs to go up or down stairs, I won't do it without help, despite the fact that I'm confident I could make it work.

Me too. I even go down most stairs by myself. For going up I built an electric winch system but it's going to be easiest for most people to just get a friend as you've suggested.
 
sometimes it is a good idea to take the backglass out. Even with the head folded down and a pad between it and the playfield glass it can still crack or shatter from the vibrations in the truck.

I was thinking the same thing to take backglass out and protect it with blanket, put it in cab w/you. The brackets inside the cab where the leg bolts go through will they fall off after you take out the leg bolts? Also when pulling out the head/backbox what disconnections do you have to do before you put the head down, there's all that ribbon everywhere, my pin is a
High Speed. thanks
 
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