Tips From the Moving Business Pros: The Best Ways To Move a Pinball Machine



With pinball making a substantial resurgence across the nation, Mild Giant wants to ensure that these traditional, lovely machines stay damage-free while being transferred. Oh, and we desire the people moving them to be safe, too.

At first glimpse, pinball makers can appear frightening to move because of their weight, fragility, and size. The good news is, our skilled Giants have a few tricks up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

Most of modern pinballs (made in the last 20 years or two) have a hinge system which enables the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball makers had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either two or four bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, in addition to the early Strong State machines.

Later devices have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There might likewise be two bolts inside as added safety, in case the lock is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you need to remove the headbox rear access panel to get to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but in time the key might have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big adapters that have circuitry going down into the machine. You may wish to label these ports to put them back in the ideal area, however they should be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back incorrectly.

You can now eliminate the headbox totally, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make certain you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to secure the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will help keep the back glass in place.
Early Solid State Pinballs

For early Solid State Pinballs, you will need to eliminate the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in among 3 areas: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side at the top or on top of the headbox in the center.

When unlocked, eliminate the back glass by raising it up utilizing the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), then pull it out from the bottom.

Then, open the back box light panel by raising the latch located on either the left-hand side or right-hand side. The panel can now swing out to you, and provide you access to the circuit boards, plugs, and the bolts. Some Gottlieb pinballs need you to lift up the lamp panel in order to swing it open.

Now that you are inside, you can remove the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the machine. You may wish to identify these plugs to put them back in the ideal area. You might not have to remove the plugs, as the wiring should be long enough to allow the headbox to be folded down.

At this point, you can lock up the lamp panel and replace the back glass.
Modern Solid State Pinballs

For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable latch system located at the back of the headbox. Using the supplied key, turn the latch 90 ° counter-clockwise.

For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can easily unlatch the back box at the back of the device. This is an easy setup and requires no tools.

You're done if you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Ensure you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in location.

If you can not fold the head box down, then you require to get within. There is a lock situated at the top of the back glass in the center. Utilize the provided secret to unlock, and eliminate the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, and after that pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will have to eliminate the screen panel. You can do this by raising it up and out. Open the lamp panel. There will be a latch located on either the right-hand or left-hand side. (Some newer Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later Sega and Stern pinballs use a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

Get rid of the 2 bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Make certain you utilize some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to safeguard the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will likewise assist keep the back glass in place.
Eliminating the Legs.

Pinball Maker legs are held in location by 8 bolts. The modern-day pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into.

These captive nuts and threaded plates can be harmed, and the usage of additional nuts might have been needed. If this is the case, you will need to open up the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and raise the playfield.

With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar latch throughout and get rid of the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, lift up the playfield by placing your hand where the ball drains, and raise the playfield up.

You need to now have access to any nuts that might have been utilized. When any nuts have been removed, replace the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.

Be sure to mark or keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be changed in a different way to fit.
Packing the Pinball.

You are now ready to transport your pinball machine. Prior to you fill it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transport.

If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it might be simpler to eliminate the legs just prior to loading the maker. Get a pal to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other gets rid of the front legs.

Make certain you strap the pinball in, as you do not desire it moving if you have to stop suddenly!

For Electro-Mechanical pinball makers, you require to see here eliminate the headbox rear access panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs within. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a separate amp panel, it is part of the back glass panel. And later Sega and Stern pinballs utilize a fluorescent tube for the back glass lighting).

If you are moving the pinball utilizing a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs simply prior to packing the device. Grab a good friend to have and help one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.

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