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

With pinball making a big renewal across the nation, Gentle Giant wishes to make sure that these traditional, lovely machines remain damage-free while being carried. Oh, and we want individuals moving them to be safe, too.

Initially glimpse, pinball makers can appear intimidating to move since of their fragility, weight, and size. Fortunately, our proficient Giants have a few tricks up their sleeves to guarantee your pinball is moved with ease.
Folding Down the Headbox

The majority of contemporary pinballs (made in the last Twenty Years approximately) have a hinge system which allows the headbox to be folded down. Early pinball devices had their headboxes bolted on, utilizing either two or 4 bolts. All Electro-Mechanical pinballs utilize this system, along with the early Solid State makers.

Later on machines have hinges and utilize a locking system to keep the headbox upright. There may also be 2 bolts inside as included safety, in case the latch is broken or mistakenly un-latched.
Electro-Mechanical Pinballs

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to eliminate the headbox rear gain access to panel to gain access to the bolts and plugs inside. Normally this panel has a lock on it to keep it in location, but gradually the secret may have been lost. On a regular basis, there is a screw keeping this panel in location.

Once inside, eliminate the bolts and disconnect the large connectors that have electrical wiring decreasing into the machine. You may wish to identify these adapters to put them back in the right spot, however they need to be different sizes, making it challenging to plug back improperly.

You can now get rid of the headbox completely, or fold the headbox down onto the playfield glass. Ensure 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 Strong State Pinballs, you will have to remove the back glass. There is a lock located on the headbox in among 3 areas: 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 using the lift channel (at the bottom of the glass), and then pull it out from the bottom.

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

Now that you are within, you can remove the bolts, and any plugs that have wires going down into the device. You might desire to identify these plugs to put them back in the right spot. You may not have to get rid of the plugs, as the circuitry should be long enough to allow the headbox to be folded down.

At this point, 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 latch system located at the back of the headbox. Using 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 machine. This is a simple setup and requires no tools.

You're done if you can now fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Make certain you utilize 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 in. There is a lock located at the top of the back glass in the center. Use the supplied secret to unlock, and get rid of the back glass by raising it up from the bottom, then pulling it out from the bottom.

Next, you will need 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 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).

Remove the two bolts, put the back box back together, and fold down the head box onto the cabinet. Make sure you use some foam, heavy cardboard, or blankets to protect the headbox from rubbing on the cabinet. Foam is best, as great post to read it will also help keep the back glass in place.
Eliminating the Legs.

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

But these captive nuts and threaded plates can be damaged, and making use of extra nuts may have been required. If this holds true, you will require to open the front door of the pinball, slide out the playfield glass, and raise up the playfield.

With the front door (coin door) open, move the lock down bar lock throughout and eliminate the lock down bar. Move out the playfield glass, and put in a safe location. find this Next, raise the playfield by positioning your hand where the ball drains pipes, and raise the playfield up.

You must now have access moving pinball machine to any nuts that might have been utilized. As soon as any nuts have actually been gotten rid of, change the playfield glass and lock down bar, and lock the front door.

Make certain to mark or keep in mind which legs are for the front and back, as they will be changed in a different way to match.
Filling the Pinball.

You are now all set to carry your pinball maker. Prior to you fill it, ensure you eliminate the pinballs so they do not bounce around throughout transportation.

If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be easier to remove the legs just prior to filling the maker. Get a good friend to assist and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other eliminates the front legs.

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

For Electro-Mechanical pinball machines, you need to get rid of the headbox rear gain access to panel to get access to the bolts and plugs within. (Some more recent Williams and Bally pinballs do not have a different 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).

If you are moving the pinball using a van or SUV, it may be easier to get rid of the legs simply prior to filling the device. Grab a buddy to help and have one of you supporting the pinball, while the other removes the front legs.