Shipping Machines
SHIPPING A USED MACHINE GUIDE
This is a work in progress document and will be updated with better practices over time.
Step 1 - Securing all the loose components:
- Open coin door and remove the coin box inside w/ the lid if applicable. Remove any additional loose items in the machine.
- Remove lockdown bar and glass from machine, then remove the pinballs. Best done by sliding the coil up on the trough to kick them out. Otherwise, can use a telescopic magnet to grab them.
- Put the balls and any other small loose items in zip lock bags with paper towels around it and put them back in the sealable coin box.
- Put the coin box back aside as we'll add more to it later.
- Put the glass and lockdown bar back on.
Step 2 - Preparing the head unit:
- Remove any hardware supporting the back head unit. Typically, this is two bolts on the back of newer sterns, or a lack, bolts inside the head unit on other or older machines. Put them in a zip lock bag and if able, put them in the coin box.
- Lay a piece of thick cardboard, moving blanket or foam on the glass of the machine near the lockdown bar, then slowly fold down the head unit until it rests on that padding. Note, make sure the padding is secure and wont slide around. This is to prevent pressure against the glass/head unit
- Secure the head unit down by one of two methods:
- Wrap plastic around the head unit securing it against the cabinet of the machine. You'll want to do at least 7-8 wraps around to make sure it's nice and snug and won't go anywhere.
- Use a ratchet strap to hold it tight. Note, if using a ratchet strap, you'll want to put padding via cardboard under any parts the straps are pressing against the cabinet on, and any parts the ratchets will actually make contact with the machine.
- Test the head unit to make sure it's not going to move.
- The head is now secured against the cabinet and we're ready to take the legs off.
Step 3 - Removing the legs:
- Find a support that can rest under the back of the cabinet of the machine (or if you're brave, use your knee). Make sure this will give the legs clearance off the floor
- Optional for extra protection: Put a piece of cardboard on the back of the cabinet and continually wrap plastic around as much of the machine as you're able to without covering the coin door or legs.
- Remove the back legs, putting the legs to the side and bolts in a zip lock bag.
- Wrap the legs using plastic wrap around one leg at a time, then stacking the legs on top of each other, creating some buffer space with the plastic wrap so the legs don't scratch.
- Remove the rest and slowly lower the back of the machine to the ground floor. It will now be sitting at an angle.
- Move to the front of the machine and tilt it upright so its sitting on the back of the machine. Don't worry, this is how they're meant to be transported.
- Remove the front legs using the same technique as before, putting the bolts in the bag and wrapping the legs.
- You should now have a stack of 4 wrapped legs together with a little bit of space between each one.
- Put the bag of bolts inside the coin box.
- Open the front door and put the coin box back in, securing it to the bracket using the pin. This is to ensure it doesn't move during transport. If you can't secure the coin box inside, wrap it to the top of the machine on top of the coin door, with some padding underneath.
Step 4 - Final wrapping:
- Remove the key from the coin door, put it in a Ziplock bag and tape it to the coin door.
- Use plastic wrap liberally and cover the machine. You can also use a combination of moving blankets, wrap etc.
Step 5 - Secure it to a pallet
- Acquire a 31x31 pallet (other sizes are usable, but this fits the best)
- Move the machine onto a pallet so the underside sits at the edge of the pallet on the side the forks would insert into the pallet
- Strap it to the pallet using pallet strapping, or ratchet straps. Be mindful around any corners/edges where strapping is to put protectors' underneath, so it doesn't cut into the machine, damaging it.
- Rest the legs against the machine with bubble wrap around them
- Use more plastic wrap and go around the entire machine holding the legs in place, as well as the strapping.
- Putting extra padding on edges of the machine close to the edge of the pallet will be a good idea to prevent any wall rubbing against the artwork
- Now that the machine is securely fastened to the pallet it can easily be moved with a dolly again
Step 6 - Crating it
- Note: This is meant as a general debris/weather protector and can't sustain heavy damage due to it's light support
- Measure the size of the pallet to confirm and get 1/4" OBS panels cut. I use 2 panels that are 31"x65" for the sides, and 2 panels that are 30.5"x65" for the front and back
- Rest a 1/2" piece of wood on the ground next to the side of the pallet and screw the side piece into the crate all along the bottom, making sure its flush on the front and the back with the pallet. The resting piece is used so the sides don't scrape the ground when moving it. You can remove the wooden now.
- Do this process for the other side.
- Cut 8x 12" 2x2 pieces and attach them at the bottom and the tops of the side pieces, flush to the edges.
- Take the front and back pieces and cut out room at the bottom so the forks can still slide into the pallet. This is typically a 5" strip, 1.5 inches from the ends
- Use the 1/2" piece of wood against the front of the pallet and line up it up so it's flush with the sides.
- Secure it to the 2x2 pieces
- Repeat for the back side
- Create a top panel (31x31) and rest it on top drilling in each corner to secure it
- You now have a weather proofing crate around the box. Note, this is not structurally sound and isn't meant to withstand strong damage.
- Apply an instruction sheet on the side that has the bottom of the machine lined up to the edge (I call this the front side). On this sheet it should say: "Truck from this side only!" It's a good idea to label it fragile as well.
- Apply instruction sheets to the other sides saying "Non-structural. Do not truck from this side!" and fragile as well.
- Once again, plastic wrap all around the crate and top to add a little more support.
- You now have a machine ready to be picked up and sent across country!
I likely missed some details but will add to this as I go.
Goodluck! :)