Q on pin transport

[DataEast Fan]

Hey Guys

When having a transport company pick up a pin interstate should I have the sender remove the legs off the machine and have it shipped on its belly or leave it complete?

Cheers Mark

[Wotto]

Legs off for sure.

Can the seller wrap the game at all?
Cardboard around edges for a little protection.
Plastic / or / bubble wrap the game??

[Strangeways]

Legs off for sure.

Can the seller wrap the game at all?
Cardboard around edges for a little protection.
Plastic / or / bubble wrap the game??

+1

I try to "mummify" the machine in plastic wrap, bubble wrap or blankets - or all of the above !

Protect the backglass if it is an EM or SS. Cardboard sheet between the folded head and the platyield glass if a DMD.

[MartyJ]

I was with Mark when he wrapped a pin of mine for transport....Lots of work went in but made it safely...

I would agree, legs off, if it has a gun handle or similar I would get it removed too.  Balls out (throw em away before shipping), cardboard down on glass/rails to stop dints from headbox...Lots of bubblewrap and cardboard...Mine got transported on its bum (ie where the powercoard goes in) so the coin door is facing roof.

[Pintoxicated]

Machines are designed to have the head box folded down, legs off and stood on their bum.  You are trying to avoid any damage anywhere but especially where it can be seen.  If it is on it's belly, good chance it will get dragged at some stage and you risk cracking or splitting the ply on the bottom of the cabinet.  The machine takes up more room if it is on it's belly you may get charged extra for the transporting.

You want plenty of padding between the top of the cabinet and head box in order to minimise any dents in the side rails.  This should also restrict any movement in the backglass/translite and also protect it.

Cardboard around the machine as Wotto mentioned.  Do not use packing tape to tape the head box to the cabinet, it is a pain in the arse to remove and may well do a bit of damage when you try to peel it off.  The best thing is the industrial cling wrap.....wrap it around the machine two or three times and it holds everything together very nicely and peels off without leaving a trace it was ever there.  Legs can be wrapped in cardboard or the plastic and then wrapped onto the machine somewhere.

There are different ways of doing it, but I would be happy to see a machine turn up like this if it was mine.

[pistolpete78]

I think some tpt companies will take them with legs on, but you avoid the risk of bending/damaging them if you take them off and it's fairly simple to get them back on at the other end.

Definitely see if they can wrap it to protect what is now your pin.

[DataEast Fan]

Cheers Guys, less than an hour and so many replies

I'll see if the guy will do this for me, otherwise is there a company that specializes in transport of these machines and does all of the above for you?

Cheers Mark

[pistolpete78]

Where is the pin located?  Maybe someone could help get it ready for tpt if the seller won't.  I'd offer to pay the seller for whatever materials are needed - it will be worth the minimal cost.  It just depends on whether they want to put the time in.

[swampy76]

My FT was very well packed and arrived in exactly the condition that it left it's old owner.

It was transported on its belly but had a small wooden pallet underneath it which meant the whole pallet was moved when required and not the all important base of the machine. Machine was covered in bubble wrap with extra material between the headbox and the steel rails. A cardboard frame was built and placed over it then the whole thing was wrapped in industrial clear cling wrap. The legs and bolts were then placed on top of the whole carton and more cling wrap was applied. Having the leg bolts on top hopefully stops some of these transport clowns placing other items on top of your machine and destroying it on its way to you.......

Good luck Mark.

PS - I used RTS Transport for my pin freight last week. Not sure I would use them again. Apparently they do AP discounts but mine was a bit exy and they don't pride themselves in contacting their customers....just my two cents. Perhaps touch base with Markc, he might be able to hook you up.

Cheers.

[Caveoftreasures]

I have so little faith in most transport companies, that i have flown interstate,bought the materials my self, wrapped the machine,and hired a ute, taken it to a TNT depot and sent it on its way.

Last time was to Adelaide for $240 return airtickets, $75 ute hire, $30 in materials.
Total cost was $350 tops.

What did i save, having a smashed pin turn up. the dmd screen alone is $300 ish, let alone a wrecked cab art and a smashed backglass.
If its worth 1500 or less, take the risk, if its worth a bit more $, get a member in that area who is experienced to help out for a small fee $$, like an agent for ya.lots of nice blokes on here to help. 

[Wotto]

I know Mark uses Dutt Transport to Sydney - I have always found them EXCELLENT and the staff friendly when I have been collecting the pins as well  ( and I am a bloody hard taskmaster on service  )

[DataEast Fan]

Thanks Guys.

Pins in Brisbane/Gold Coast and needs to get to Melbourne in one piece

I had thought of using a furniture removalist but maybe not such a good idea now.

I'll let you know how it turns out

Cheers M

[Dirty daz]

never had a problem with rts they transport machine with legs on  back box down wrap in a large blanket then strap the machine to the side of the truck  ... DAZ..