Pinball Machine Moving & Shipping

How a pinball machine move works

Tell us the make and model and the pickup and delivery addresses. We fold the head down and bolt it in place, remove the legs, pad the cabinet and glass, and move the machine on a dolly. It rides strapped on the truck, and at delivery we reattach the legs and set it level in its new spot.

How to prepare a pinball machine

• Remove the coins and lock the coin door.
• Unplug the machine and secure the cord inside the cabinet.
• Remove the balls from the playfield, or tell us and we will secure them.
• Keep the keys and leg bolts together, or let us remove the legs.
• Measure doorways and stairs at both locations.

What is included

• Folding and securing the head, and removing the legs.
• Blanket wrap and protection for the playfield glass and backglass.
• Liftgate truck and load straps.
• Inside delivery, leg reassembly and leveling.

Domestic and international pinball shipping

Long-distance pinball moves cost less when the machine can ride with other coin-op freight on the same lane. Booking with some lead time makes that easier.

For international moves we handle export and import freight in both directions: crating the machine for ocean or air shipment, preparing the commercial paperwork that customs requires, and arranging delivery from the port or airport to the final site. You supply the documents only the owner can provide, such as proof of ownership and any permits your destination requires, and we coordinate the rest.

What affects the cost of moving a pinball machine

There is no single price for a pinball machine move, because the work changes a lot from job to job. A quote is built from a handful of things you can usually tell us up front.

• Distance. A move across town is usually a dedicated local trip. A move between states can travel dedicated or be consolidated with other freight on the same lane, which usually costs less for a single pinball machine.
• Machine type and weight. Pinball machines are long and heavy toward the back, and modern machines with large toys, ramps or toppers need more care than older, simpler tables.
• Access at each end. Steps, stairs, elevators, narrow halls, tight turns and the distance from the truck to the machine all affect crew size and equipment. A loading dock at both ends is the simplest case.
• Liftgate and inside delivery. Without a dock, a liftgate truck lowers the machine to the ground. Inside delivery brings it to the room where it will run rather than leaving it at the door.
• Storage. If the new site is not ready, the machine can be held between pickup and delivery. Storage time is quoted separately.
• Timing. Fixed delivery dates, after-hours or weekend work, and short notice can change the price compared with a flexible window.

What is included with a pinball machine move

• A crew that handles pinball machines and knows how to protect the backglass, playfields, ramps, toys, legs and the lockdown bar.
• Blanket wrap and padding for local moves, or pallet and shrink wrap for freight shipments, with crating available for fragile or high-value machines.
• Upright loading, with the machine strapped individually inside the truck.
• Liftgate service when there is no dock, plus stair-climbing dollies and straps when the route needs them.
• Inside delivery to the spot you choose, with packing material removed.
• We reattach the legs and set the machine where you want it. Playfield leveling and any adjustments for play are best checked by the owner or a technician.

Checklist before a pinball machine is picked up

1. Empty all product, coins, cash, tokens or media, and keep the keys with you or tape them to the machine as agreed.
2. Unplug the machine at least 24 hours ahead. Refrigerated or electronic machines should be fully powered down, and any water should be drained.
3. Secure doors, glass and loose parts. Lock or tape doors shut and remove anything that can slide or rattle.
4. Measure the machine and every doorway, hallway, stairway and elevator on the route at both addresses.
5. Tell us about parking, loading dock hours, building rules, certificates of insurance or elevator bookings before the day.
6. Send photos of the machine and the route if you can. They help us bring the right crew and equipment.

How a pinball machine is protected in transit

The parts that get damaged in a pinball machine move are usually the backglass, playfields, ramps, toys, legs and the lockdown bar. Protection is planned around them before the crew arrives, based on the make, model and photos you send.

The machine is wrapped in moving blankets and stretch wrap, or strapped to a pallet when it travels as freight. It is loaded upright on a liftgate truck, braced against the wall of the truck and secured with load straps so it cannot shift or tip. Keys stay with you unless we agree otherwise, and doors are locked or taped so they cannot swing open.

When the move involves stairs, the crew uses stair-climbing dollies and extra hands rather than tilting the machine further than it should go. Narrow doorways sometimes mean removing a door from its hinges or taking the route through a loading entrance instead, which is why we ask for measurements up front.

Delivery day for a pinball machine

The crew calls ahead with an arrival window. Have someone at the delivery address who can open the building and confirm exactly where the pinball machine should go, and keep the route from the truck to that spot clear.

We reattach the legs and set the machine where you want it. Playfield leveling and any adjustments for play are best checked by the owner or a technician. Before the crew leaves, look the machine over together: check the cabinet, glass and screens, confirm loose parts and keys are accounted for, and note anything wrong on the delivery paperwork with photos before signing.

Scheduling a pinball machine move

Give as much notice as you can, especially for long-distance moves, fixed delivery dates or several machines at once. A fixed deadline, such as a lease ending or a venue opening, usually means a dedicated truck. When the dates are flexible, a pinball machine can often travel with other freight on a scheduled lane, which usually costs less.

If the destination is not ready on the day the old site has to be cleared, the pinball machine can be picked up, stored upright and wrapped, and delivered once the new site is ready. Ask for storage at quote time so it is included in the price.

Local, long-distance and international pinball machine moves

We move pinball machines for homes, game rooms, arcades, bars, collectors' spaces and storage units. Local moves are usually scheduled as a dedicated trip with a two-person crew. Long-distance moves cross state lines on scheduled lanes or as dedicated runs, depending on budget and timing.

International pinball machine shipments are crated for ocean or air freight. We prepare the commercial paperwork customs requires and arrange delivery from the port or airport. The owner supplies documents only the owner can provide, such as proof of ownership, plus any import permits the destination country requires.

Moving more than one pinball machine, or a full route? Multiple machines can be scheduled together, picked up from several sites and delivered in one sequence. That is usually more efficient than booking each machine separately.

Pinball Machines moving FAQ

Do you take the legs off a pinball machine?

Yes. The legs come off for transport and go back on at delivery.

Does the head need to be folded down?

Yes, and it should be bolted or secured in the folded position so it cannot rock on the hinge.

Should the glass be removed?

For most moves the playfield glass stays in place and is protected with padding. For freight and international moves we may remove and pack it separately.

Why do pinball shipping quotes vary so much?

Distance, fuel costs, hand-loading and whether the machine travels on a dedicated truck or with other freight all affect the price.

How do I get a quote?

Call 866-216-7742 or use the quote form with your ZIP codes and the model.

How much does it cost to move a pinball machine?

It depends on distance, the machine's size and weight, access at both ends, and whether you need liftgate, inside delivery, storage or a fixed date. Send pickup and delivery ZIP codes, the machine type and photos of the route, and we will quote the move.

Can you store a pinball machine between pickup and delivery?

Yes. If the new location is not ready, the machine can be held and delivered when you are. Let us know at quote time so storage is included in the price.