How To Move Arcade Machines

Learn how to move arcade machines and pinball tables safely with our step-by-step guide. Protect your investment from damage during transit with expert tips on prep, equipment, and securing delicate parts.

So, you’ve acquired the crown jewel for your game room—a classic arcade cabinet or a full-size pinball machine. Now comes the most daunting part: getting it from point A to point B without a single scratch, crack, or malfunction. Knowing how to move arcade machines safely isn’t just helpful; it’s essential to protecting your significant investment.

A heavy, top-heavy, and fragile piece of gaming history requires more than just muscle. It demands a meticulous strategy. This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, from pre-move preparation to post-move setup, ensuring your prized possession arrives in perfect, play-ready condition.

Phase 1: The Crucial Pre-Move Preparation

This phase is the most important. Rushing the prep work is the number one cause of damage.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

Before you touch the machine, have everything you need on hand:

• Moving Dolly: A professional appliance dolly with straps is non-negotiable.
• Furniture Blankets or Moving Pads: Thick pads to protect the cabinet.
• High-Quality Moving Straps: To secure the machine to the dolly.
• Stretch Wrap (Plastic Wrap): Critical for securing doors and preventing scratches.
• Bubble Wrap & Packing Tape
• Phillips Head & Flathead Screwdrivers
• Socket Wrench Set
• A friend (or two!) with a strong back.

Step 2: Secure the Internal Components

This is the step most amateurs skip, leading to shattered glass and damaged playfields.

• Pinball Machines: This is paramount. You must remove the glass and the balls.
  1. Open the glass lockdown bar and carefully lift the glass straight up and out. Place it in a safe, flat area, ideally wrapped in a blanket and marked “FRAGILE.”
  2. Lift the playfield and remove all the pinballs from the trough. Place them in a bag.
  3. The Pro-Move: Install playfield protectors. These are inexpensive foam or cardboard brackets that slide under the playfield rails to prevent it from bouncing during transit. If you don’t have protectors, you can use a rolled-up towel or foam pool noodles, carefully placed to gently support the raised playfield without putting pressure on any mechanisms.
• Upright Arcade Cabinets:
  1. Open the back door and look for any loose items or PCBs (printed circuit boards) that could shake free. If anything seems precarious, use bubble wrap to gently secure it without putting stress on the connectors.
  2. For cabinets with a monitor that can swivel (like in a Galaga or Pac-Man), it’s a good idea to secure the monitor in a fixed position.

Step 3: Prepare the Cabinet Exterior

1. Power Down & Unplug: Ensure the machine is completely off and unplugged from the wall.
2. Remove Legs (Pinball): Using a socket wrench, carefully remove the front legs, then the back legs. Have a friend support the weight of the cabinet as you remove the final legs. This transforms a tall, top-heavy monster into a manageable box.
3. Secure All Doors & Latches: Use stretch wrap to securely wrap the coin door and the backbox door shut. This prevents them from swinging open and also protects the artwork from scratches.
4. Wrap It Up: Completely envelop the machine in furniture blankets, using moving straps or tape to hold the blankets in place. Avoid taping directly onto the cabinet’s artwork.

Phase 2: The Move Itself – Lifting and Transport

Step 4: The Right Way to Lift and Dollify

• Team Lift: Always use a team lift. One person should not attempt this alone.
• Pinball Machines: With the legs removed, tip the cabinet gently onto the dolly. The dolly should be centered against the cabinet’s back. Use moving straps to tightly secure the cabinet to the dolly.
• Arcade Cabinets: Tip the cabinet back onto the dolly, ensuring the dolly pad is making contact with the sturdy part of the cabinet, not the control panel or marquee.

Step 5: Navigating Stairs and Doorways

• Stairs are the #1 Hazard. For pinball machines, it’s often safest to transport the main cabinet and the backbox separately if possible (many backboxes are designed to be unbolted).
• Always keep the machine upright. Do not lay a pinball machine on its back unless you have absolutely no other choice and have removed every single component from the playfield. Laying an arcade cabinet on its back can stress the monitor chassis.
• Communicate with your partner. Move slowly, one step at a time.

Step 6: Secure in the Truck

• Place the machine against a sturdy wall in the truck.
• Use straps to secure it firmly to the truck walls, preventing it from sliding or tipping over during transit.
• Do not place other heavy items against it.

Phase 3: Post-Move Setup

You’re almost there! The final steps are just as important.

1. Reverse the Process: Carefully unstrap and unload the machine.
2. Reassemble: Reattach the legs on your pinball machine (front legs first!). Reinstall the glass and pinballs.
3. Inspect: Before plugging it in, do a visual inspection. Look for any wires that may have become disconnected during the move.
4. Power On: Plug the machine in and power it up. Listen for any unusual sounds and test all the primary functions (flippers, buttons, coin mech).

Conclusion: When to Call a Professional

Knowing how to move arcade machines empowers you to handle the task yourself. However, if you’re dealing with an extremely heavy or rare machine, multiple flights of stairs, or simply don’t have the help, hiring a professional specialized in arcade moving is a wise investment. Their experience and insurance provide peace of mind that is worth every penny.

By following this detailed guide, you can confidently tackle your move, ensuring your arcade machine or pinball table is ready for its first high score in its new home.