Transport/Pick Up

MarioKarnage

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It is always best to move a game on its feet? Is it dangerous to lay them down on their backs? Is a pickup truck and tie-downs enough? Any tips appreciated. I have a cartage company that could do it, but they are expensive.
 
It is always best to move a game on its feet?

Yes, provided it is properly secured.

Is it dangerous to lay them down on their backs?

Depends on the machine, how the weight is distributed, and whether or not everything's properly bolted down inside - and if what the stuff is secured to can handle the strain of being in a position it wasn't meant to be in.

Most people I know transport games sideways / on their backs, but they double & triple check everything beforehand...
 
I've transported several games on their backs without any issues, but I double check to make sure everything inside the cabinet is secured first!
 
I've never even really thought much about that until now. I always put them on their back, the vehicle I use cannt fit an upright standing up, but I've never double checked to make sure everything was secure before laying it down. Guess I've gotten lucky cause nothing has happened. But from now on I'm going to be sure to double check!
 
If the game is a upright cabinet (not a cabaret) its weight should keep it from moving around if it is on its back and keeping the game on its back should be ok.

G12
 
just check for loose stuff before powering on. Screws, coin mechs, coins, tend to get stuck/fall into bad places. If you have time, pickup loose stuff before tippiing it (Always check the monitor is properly bolted down).

Also if the game has a notched back door where the monitor sticks out a bit too far, you will need to put it on its side (gorf, barrier, some caberets, ect).

Be aware that some games, like asteroids and lunar lander, are cut in a way that the top of the cab can bust out your trucks rear window.
 
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As long as there are no loose parts in the game that will move around and possibly damage other things in the cab it's fine to transport games on their back or side. Even then I still use at least one tie strap to keep the game from sliding around when in transport. I used to transport all games standing up but that would generally require two people to load and unload games. Laying games down allows a single person to both load and unload a game on their own.
 
Tron didn't mind traveling on his side:
IMAG0107.jpg
 
I ALWAYS move them on their backs(or side). Like the other guys have said, you want to make sure nothing is loose prior to doing this. Open the back door, try to move the monitor, pcb, power supply board, pcb, and power brick in the bottom of the cab, if they are solid, lay it on it's back or side. Mrbill mentioned removing the loose screws, tokens, coins, etc. Good idea. One of the gals on here(nerdygirl I think) got her grail, took it home, flipped it on and the board blew, turns out a token jumped around inside the cab and got wedged in the pcb somehow.
 
I transport ALL of my arcade games on their backs. Make sure there isn't anything loose in the cabinet first. I transport all pinball machines with the legs off and just side into the back of my truck.

Steve
 
Make sure before you turn it on when you get it home you open it up and make sure everything is still hooked up and in place. And as others have mentioned, make sure there is no loose coins,screws etc. floating around loose in the cab.

Tim
 
If the game is a upright cabinet (not a cabaret) its weight should keep it from moving around if it is on its back and keeping the game on its back should be ok.

G12

Use tie down straps no matter what size or weight the game is! Move it all the way to the front behind the cab but make sure it won't hit the rear window. If its not tied down and you hit the brakes hard enough it will move! If there's a plastic bed liner it will slide much easier. You don't want to slam it thru the back window damaging the bed too. Always tie it down! If its standing it only takes one turn and its all over the road! I always lay mine down too.
 
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