Tips From the Moving Business Pros: How to Move a Pinball Device

With pinball making a huge revival across the country, Mild Giant wants to make sure that these traditional, lovely machines remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want the people moving them to be safe, too.

At very first glance, pinball devices can appear frightening to move due to the fact that of their weight, size, and fragility. The good news is, our skilled Giants have a few techniques 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 approximately) have a hinge system which permits the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either 2 or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs use this system, together with the early Strong State makers.

Later machines have hinges and use 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 have to remove the headbox rear access panel to access to the bolts and plugs within. Generally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in place, but in time the secret might have been lost. Rather typically, there is a screw keeping this panel in place.

Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the big adapters that have wiring going down into the machine. You may desire to identify these adapters to put them back in the ideal spot, but they should be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back improperly.

You can now get rid of the headbox entirely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Make certain you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to protect 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 Strong State Pinballs, you will have to get rid of the back glass. There is a lock situated on the headbox in one of three places: the left-hand side at the top, right-hand side on top or on top of the headbox in the center.

Once 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.

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

Now that you are within, you can get rid of the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the machine. You may want to label these plugs to put them back in the best area. You might not have to get rid of the plugs, as the electrical wiring must be long enough to permit the headbox to be folded down.

At this moment, you can secure the light panel and change the back glass.
Modern Strong State Pinballs

For Data East, Sega, and Stern Modern pinballs, there is a turnable lock system situated at the back of the headbox. Utilizing the provided secret, turn the lock 90 ° counter-clockwise.

For Williams, Bally, and Gottlieb, you can quickly unlatch the back box at the back of the maker. This is a basic setup and needs no tools.

If you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet, you're done. Make sure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as it will also help keep the back glass in place.

If you can not fold the head box down, then you have to get inside. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the center. Use the supplied key to unlock, and remove the back glass by lifting it up from the bottom, and then pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will have to remove the display panel. You can do this by lifting it up and out. Open the light panel. There will be a lock situated on either the left-hand or right-hand side. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have see here a different amp panel, it belongs to the back glass panel. And later on 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 secure 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 Device legs are held in place by eight bolts. They will be either 5/8 inch or 9/16 inch heads. The modern pinballs have captive nuts or threaded plates inside for the bolts to screw into. These bolts can be gotten rid of, and the legs will come off.

However these threaded plates and captive nuts can be damaged, and the use of extra nuts may have been needed. If this is the case, you will have to open 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 lock throughout and eliminate the lock down bar. Then slide out the playfield glass, and put in a safe place. Next, raise up the playfield by putting your hand where the ball drains, and lift the playfield up.

You should now have access to any nuts that may have been utilized. As soon as any nuts have actually been eliminated, replace the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.

Be sure to mark or remember 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 prepared to transport your pinball machine. Prior to you fill it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they don't bounce around during transportation.

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

Ensure you strap the pinball in, as you do not want it moving if you have to stop unexpectedly!

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

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