Pinball Machine Shipping Made Easy
Don't hesitate to sell your pinball machine online. We make shipping easy for anyone, anywhere in the country.
Often times people hesitate to sell their pinball machine online because they're worried that shipping will be difficult. We make it easy for anybody to ship a pinball machine. Below we've posted tips on how to prepare your pinball machine for shipping and the most common shipping methods.
Note: Our rates are available for machines shipped on a pallet or in a crate. We currently cannot accept machines shipped with legs on. If you need help sourcing a pallet, please let us know.
Legs Off on a Pallet
One of the most common ways to ship a pinball machine is to remove the legs and place the machine folded up on a pallet. When prepared properly, this is a stable and safe way to ship.
Remove the pinballs from the game and place them in a bag inside the coin box. Also remove the coin box from the cabinet. Lock the coin door and put the keys inside the coin box. If the coin box is missing, use a resealable bag.
Wrap the head of the machine with mobile wrap with a packing material between the wrap and the machine's backglass/translite. This will keep the glass from rattling during shipping. Pack it snugly. If this is an older machine where the head does not fold down, remove the head from the machine after wrapping it.
Place cardboard over the playfield glass, making sure it extends beyond the siderails on each side.
Fold the head down over the cardboard and secure the head to the cabinet with mobile wrap. Use plenty of wrap to protect the body of the cabinet. Extra cardboard can be used to protect the body as well.
Remove the rear legs of the cabinet while standing it up on its back upon the pallet. Center it on the pallet. Remove the front legs.
Wrap each of the four pinball legs individually with mobile wrap or several layers of newspaper. Mobile wrap them together once they've been individually protected. Wrap the legs to the cabinet using more mobile wrap.
Wrap the coin box with the pinballs and keys to the cabinet. Pack the coin box with material so that the pinballs and keys don't slide around during shipping.
Secure the pinball machine to the pallet. Ratcheting straps work very well and are more secure than rope. Metal banding is effective, but do not over tighten it.
Ensure that the weight is well-balanced on the pallet. Double check your ratchet straps that they're properly adjusted and won't loosen during transit.
Tip: If you had to remove the head from the cabinet, place it on the pallet right behind the cabinet body with cardboard and wrap between them so they don't rub during shipping.
Shipping in a Crate
The most secure way to ship a pinball machine is in a crate, but it requires either making your own crate or paying for a crating service. If you build a crate, make one with a pallet underneath for forklift access. Stand the machine on its back with legs off to minimize the footprint. Ensure cardboard separates the head and body, and the backglass/translite is secured with packing material and mobile wrap.
Legs On (Information Only)
Another common way to ship is to leave the legs on while protecting the body and head. Here are the steps:
Remove the pinballs from the game and place them in a bag inside the coin box. Also remove the coin box from the cabinet. Lock the coin door and put the keys inside the coin box.
Wrap the head of the machine with mobile wrap with packing material between the wrap and the backglass/translite. Pack it snugly.
Place cardboard over the playfield glass, making sure it extends beyond the siderails on each side and covers the sides of the cabinet.
Fold the head down over the cardboard and secure the head to the cabinet with mobile wrap. Use plenty of wrap. Ratchet straps are great for ensuring head and body are held together.
Attach the coin box to the machine using mobile wrap.
Make sure the cabinet and head are properly protected with cardboard and mobile wrap.
Make notes to attach to the machine telling the shipper not to stack other objects on top.
What is the Best Method?
Crating is the safest but most time-consuming and expensive. Most buyers don't demand it, though some may be willing to pay for it.
Legs Off (Pallet)
- + Reduced footprint
- + Better wrapping protection
- + Easy forklift handling
- + Less risk of damage
- + Lower shipping cost
Legs On
- + Quick preparation
- + Easy to move without forklift
- + Easier for buyer to set up
- - Higher shipping cost
- - Greater risk of damage
Our recommendation: Ask the buyer how they'd prefer the machine to be prepared for shipping.
Pinball Shipping FAQ
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