How to Ship Arcade, Pinball, and Vending Machines

Arcade cabinets, pinball machines and vending machines have a lot in common when it comes to shipping. They are tall, top-heavy and often several hundred pounds. They hide fragile parts behind sturdy-looking shells: glass playfields and backglasses, old CRT monitors, delicate wiring, coin mechanisms and, in the case of refrigerated vending machines, a compressor that prefers to stay upright. Whether you are a collector buying a machine from another state, a business relocating a game room, or an operator moving equipment between locations, the same principles keep these machines working on arrival.

This guide covers preparation for each machine type, how to pack and secure them for freight, why upright transport and proper pallets matter, and how to inspect and set up the machine after delivery.

General preparation for any machine

1. Document it. Photograph the cabinet from every side, the artwork, the glass, the monitor, the interior and the serial plate. Record a short video of the machine powered on and working.
2. Unplug and let it settle. Disconnect power well before handling. CRT monitors can hold a dangerous charge long after unplugging, so do not reach into the monitor area unless you know how to discharge it safely.
3. Empty coins and tokens. Empty the cash box and remove any coins or tokens. Loose coins rattle around and can short wiring.
4. Remove keys and label them. Bag the keys for coin doors and back doors and keep them with you or send them separately.
5. Measure and weigh. Record the height, width, depth and weight, using the manufacturer’s specifications if possible. You need these for an accurate freight quote.

Arcade cabinets

Monitors

Older cabinets with CRT monitors are the most fragile. The tube neck can snap if the cabinet is dropped or jolted. Check that the monitor mounting brackets are tight. Some collectors remove the CRT and ship it separately in its own padded box, but that requires knowing how to discharge it safely. Modern LCD cabinets are lighter but still need the screen protected from pressure.

Control panels and marquees

• Secure or remove the control panel. Joysticks and buttons stick out and are easy to snap off.
• Remove the marquee glass or plexi and wrap it separately, or cover it with cardboard and tape around the cabinet, not on the artwork.
• Remove any loose items inside the cabinet, such as manuals or spare parts, and box them.

Cabinet protection

Side art and T-molding scuff easily. Wrap the cabinet in moving blankets, then stretch wrap to hold them. Put cardboard corner guards on all vertical edges.

Pinball machines

Pinball machines need specific prep because of their legs, backbox and glass.

1. Remove the balls. Take every pinball out of the trough and ball lock. Loose steel balls rolling around can break plastics and ramps.
2. Remove the playfield glass. Slide it out, wrap it in foam or a blanket, and ship it separately or secured flat inside the crate.
3. Secure the playfield. Make sure nothing is loose on the playfield. Some owners lay a soft cloth over the playfield before closing it up.
4. Fold the backbox down. Most machines let you unlatch the backbox and fold it down onto the cabinet. Remove the backglass or translite first, or secure it carefully if it stays in place, and pad between the backbox and cabinet.
5. Remove the legs. Take off all four legs and leg bolts. Bag the bolts and leg levelers and wrap the legs.
6. Remove the lockdown bar and shooter rod if needed. Wrap them so they cannot scratch the cabinet.

With the backbox folded and legs removed, a pinball machine becomes a much more compact, stable box shape that fits well on a pallet.

Vending machines

Snack and merchandise machines

• Remove all product. Food left inside can spoil, attract pests and add weight.
• Remove or zip-tie the spiral coils and trays so they do not shift.
• Secure the glass front, often the largest pane of glass you will ship. Pad it, and cover it with rigid cardboard over the padding.
• Lock or tape the door closed through the wrap.

Refrigerated beverage machines

• Unplug and let condensation drain, then dry the interior.
• Remove product and any loose shelving.
• Keep the machine upright. Like a refrigerator, a refrigerated vending machine has a compressor and oil that can migrate if it lies down. Follow the manufacturer’s guidance on upright transport and how long to wait before plugging it back in.

Packing machines for freight

These machines are too large and heavy for parcel service, which caps packages at 150 pounds for FedEx and UPS and 70 pounds for USPS. LTL freight on a pallet or in a crate is the standard method.

1. Wrap the machine in blankets and stretch wrap, with corner guards on edges.
2. Stand it upright on a sturdy pallet sized slightly larger than its footprint, so no part overhangs.
3. Strap it tightly to the pallet with ratchet straps or banding, using edge protectors under the straps.
4. For tall, narrow machines, consider a pallet with a wider base or bracing to reduce tipping risk.
5. For valuable or vintage machines, use a custom wooden crate.
6. Mark “This Side Up,” “Fragile” and “Do Not Stack” on all sides.

Example density check

A packed upright arcade cabinet on a pallet measuring 30 x 36 x 72 inches is 77,760 cubic inches, or 45 cubic feet. At 315 pounds, its density is 315 divided by 45, or 7 pounds per cubic foot. Accurate numbers like these help you get the correct class under the density-based NMFC system that took effect on July 19, 2025, and avoid reclassification after the carrier remeasures.

Buying a machine from another state

Collectors often buy machines from sellers hundreds of miles away. When you are not there to supervise packing, a little coordination prevents most problems.

• Ask for a video. Before paying, ask the seller to record the machine powered on, showing the screen or playfield, sound and controls. Keep the video as a record of its condition.
• Agree on who prepares it. Decide in writing whether the seller removes the legs, folds the backbox, removes the glass and balls, and empties product or coins.
• Confirm the pickup location. Find out whether the machine is in a house, garage, storage unit or business, and whether there are stairs, a dock or room for a truck. This decides whether you need a liftgate or inside pickup.
• Send packing guidance. Share a short checklist with the seller, or book a service that will pack, palletize or crate the machine at origin.
• Get measurements from the seller. Ask for the actual height, width, depth and weight, ideally as packed, before you request a freight quote.

If the seller cannot help with preparation, budget time and cost for professional packing. A machine that travels unprepared is far more likely to arrive with broken glass or a cracked monitor.

Delivery and setup

• Request liftgate service for any address without a dock. These machines are too heavy and tall to lift off a truck by hand.
• Arrange inside delivery if the machine has to go into a home, basement or game room.
• Inspect the crate or wrap before signing. Note any damage on the delivery receipt.
• Let refrigerated machines stand upright for the recommended time before plugging in.
• Reattach legs, raise the backbox, reinstall glass and balls on pinball machines, and level them before playing.
• Power on and test every function. Report concealed damage to the carrier promptly with photos.

Frequently asked questions

Can a pinball machine ship on its back?

It is safest to ship it level with the backbox folded down and legs removed. Shipping it on its back puts stress on the playfield and glass.

Should I remove the CRT from an arcade cabinet?

Only if you know how to discharge it safely. Otherwise, make sure the mounting is tight and ship the cabinet upright with careful padding.

Do vending machines need to stay upright?

Refrigerated machines should stay upright. Snack and merchandise machines are also best upright because of their glass fronts and weight.

Is crating worth it for a vintage machine?

Often yes. A custom crate protects artwork, glass and cabinet edges from forklifts and other freight.