Shipping a Pinball Machine: How to Protect the Playfield, Backglass & Electronics During Transport

Pinball Machines: Beautiful, Valuable, and Extremely Fragile to Ship

A pinball machine is not just heavy (250–350 lbs) — it's a precision mechanical instrument with a glass-covered playfield, a fragile backglass (often hand-painted or silk-screened on glass), a head assembly packed with circuit boards, and hundreds of tiny components that can shift during transit. Machines from Stern, Jersey Jack, Bally/Williams, and Gottlieb can be worth $3,000–$20,000+, making shipping damage not just frustrating but financially devastating.

The Three Most Vulnerable Components

1. Backglass / Translite: The art panel at the top of the machine. On older machines (pre-1990s), this is actual painted glass — irreplaceable if cracked. On newer machines, it's a translite (printed plastic), which is more durable but still scratchable. Remove the backglass or translite before shipping if possible, wrap it in bubble wrap between two sheets of cardboard, and mark "GLASS — FRAGILE."

2. Playfield: The angled surface under the glass where the ball rolls. Playfield components — ramps, targets, bumpers — can break loose if the machine vibrates during transit. Lock down the playfield glass with tape across the lockdown bar. Remove loose balls from the trough. If the playfield has delicate plastic ramps, reinforce them with painter's tape and foam.

3. Head Assembly (Backbox): Contains the CPU, sound board, display, and wiring. It's connected to the cabinet by a hinge and is designed to fold down for transport. Always fold the head down and secure it with the head bolt. If the head stays upright during shipping, it can swing, crack the hinge, and rip out wiring harnesses.

Step-by-Step Pinball Packing Guide

1. Remove the backglass/translite and pack separately between rigid cardboard sheets with bubble wrap.
2. Fold the head (backbox) down onto the playfield. Secure with the factory head bolt or a ratchet strap around the cabinet.
3. Lock the playfield glass in place. Apply painter's tape across the lockdown bar to prevent it from releasing.
4. Remove loose balls from the ball trough and bag them.
5. Pad fragile playfield components — plastic ramps, motorized features, spinning targets — with foam blocks or packing peanuts placed under the glass.
6. Disconnect the power cord and tape it to the back of the cabinet.
7. Remove or secure the legs. Most shippers prefer legs removed. Bag the bolts and tape the bag inside the coin door. Wrap legs separately.
8. Wrap the entire cabinet in moving blankets and stretch wrap. Apply corner guards.
9. Photograph everything — playfield, backglass, all four sides, coin door, back panel — before wrapping.

Shipping Methods for Pinball Machines

Blanket-wrap freight (recommended): The machine is wrapped in blankets and strapped upright inside a trailer. This is the standard method used by specialized coin-op shippers. Cost: $500–$1,200 depending on distance.

Custom crating: A wooden crate built around the machine provides maximum protection. Recommended for machines valued above $8,000 or rare/vintage units with irreplaceable backglass. Cost: $200–$400 for the crate, plus freight.

White-glove service: Includes professional disassembly, crating, shipping, delivery into the home, reassembly, and testing. Cost: $1,000–$2,500+ depending on route and machine value.

What NOT to Do When Shipping Pinball

• Never lay a pinball machine on its back. The head assembly, wiring, and playfield are not designed for horizontal pressure.
• Never ship with the head upright. It must be folded down and secured.
• Never use a general mover who has no coin-op experience. They will not know about backglass removal, head folding, or proper strap placement.
• Never skip photos. Without before-and-after documentation, damage claims are denied.

Ship Your Pinball Machine With Experts

Coin Machine Shippers has moved thousands of pinball machines, arcade cabinets, and coin-op games. We know how to protect backglass, playfields, and electronics. Get a free pinball shipping quote — include photos and we'll recommend the right protection level for your machine.