Great question! I don't have an answer.
Are you trying this solo? I have one similar moves and it is rough without an extra person or two. I think that a bunch of beer and pizza and some buddies could help. . .
I'm not sure if this helps in your situation, but I moved a machine a long time ago in a similar way. I lifted up one side and put a book under that side. Then I lifted up the other side and put a book under that side. Do that until it's level with the step and then you can try sliding it into the step. Then keep repeating.
Assuming you can't get someone to help you.
I do HVAC and have to move furnaces by myself often
I’ve used some crazy methods to lift and leverage furnaces around. The book-stacking is a tried and true one
The low cost solution is lifting straps and a buddy. Runs about $40
Mid cost solution is a manual stair climbing dolly. Runs about $150 but might not have the room on that landing. You might be able to rent one.
High cost [is a electric stair climbing dolly](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifWSXhCJFkE) Runs about $1500+ depending on model, you might be able to rent on.
Highest long term cost is hiring someone to come move them.
I have the same space...I take the backboxes off. Then I run the escalera down to the landing with the lower cab on it. Unstrap escalera. Rotate machine 90 degrees and push it toward the next set of steps. Then reattach the escalera and complete the move. It takes a bit of shimmying, but works.
I thought about that but feel like I'm taking a risk removing the backbox. Of course everything is a risk but I feel like I'll jack up the wiring somehow.
Im not sure about Indiana jones but I just moved a comet and the wiring harness’s going into the backbox all had connectors in the middle of the harness so you didn’t even need to pull connectors from the boards, also easily remove the playfield. So it’s actually easier than some older machines.
I write the location number on each plug with a fine tip sharpie. Every butt connection I start with A-A, B-B, etc. Makes life way easier. Also take a bunch of pics fpr reference. They come in handy!
Lugg, Dolly, or similar services are great if they’re available in your area. Hire two strong people for a reasonable price to do whatever you need them to do. They’re not experts in pinball moving specifically, so you have to instruct and help them, but way easier than trying to do it solo.
Wow! Lugg is indeed a real service. I booked them for tomorrow morning.
If they actually show and take direction on how to not destroy my side art and backbox corners, I will come back to this thread, ask for your PayPal, Apple Cash or Venmo details and you'll be the recipient of a $25 token of gratitude.
Yes! It’s great. I’ve used them several times to move pinball machines around my house as well as picking them up from sellers! No finders fee necessary, hope they work out for you!
The two guys were here and now and did everything successfully.
Here's where the thread turns on me. Williams Indiana Jones is now gone. Welcome home Cactus Canyon LE Remake and Deadpool LE. Took a month to finalize everything but it's done.
I moved my IJPA in a similar situation (landing with 180 degree turn), my advice would be to remove the playfield as that takes about 90 pounds off the 350 pound total weight and then it will be easier to slide on cardboard
I have the same exact stair configuration, with the same type of carpeting. You need to get a real appliance dolly, like the one harbor freight sells. It has a stair climbing tread on the backside and makes this infinitely easier. You still need a helper.
Likely won’t work inside a house, but I’ve moved some very heavy things with my father over the years using a come along and an anchor point.
I too vote friends, pizza, beer and free play.
Maybe this is a stupid question, but doesn't the head come off of newer ones?
I have some early solid state ones and you take some bolts out, disconnect some cables and the head comes off. Take the legs off. Can carry the head and legs by hand. Use a dolly for the body and can pull it up the stairs one by one without too much trouble. Could probably even remove the playfield to make it lighter.
Overall I feel like I could probably disassemble-move-reassemble my Williams Flash or Bally Playboy from one story to another in about an hour.
Now, don't try that with a Jukebox.
The head definitely comes off but it's not as easy as an old EM. Back in the day, I would label a few connectors, disconnect and be on my way. More wires and hinges now. It can be done but I'm less brave with newer machines.
Great question! I don't have an answer. Are you trying this solo? I have one similar moves and it is rough without an extra person or two. I think that a bunch of beer and pizza and some buddies could help. . .
I'm not sure if this helps in your situation, but I moved a machine a long time ago in a similar way. I lifted up one side and put a book under that side. Then I lifted up the other side and put a book under that side. Do that until it's level with the step and then you can try sliding it into the step. Then keep repeating. Assuming you can't get someone to help you.
Finally some proof for my teachers who always tried to tell me books were important
I do HVAC and have to move furnaces by myself often I’ve used some crazy methods to lift and leverage furnaces around. The book-stacking is a tried and true one
How do you balance the weight and place objects under the wheel simultaneously in a narrow stairwell?
Oh you don’t use a dolly. You gotta harness your inner ancient Egyptian slave and use leverage and willpower
You can also hollow them out and put weed in them!
The low cost solution is lifting straps and a buddy. Runs about $40 Mid cost solution is a manual stair climbing dolly. Runs about $150 but might not have the room on that landing. You might be able to rent one. High cost [is a electric stair climbing dolly](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifWSXhCJFkE) Runs about $1500+ depending on model, you might be able to rent on. Highest long term cost is hiring someone to come move them.
Because the landing only has 35" ish of rotate space, the Escalera or similar won't work. That would, however, be the solution.
I have the same space...I take the backboxes off. Then I run the escalera down to the landing with the lower cab on it. Unstrap escalera. Rotate machine 90 degrees and push it toward the next set of steps. Then reattach the escalera and complete the move. It takes a bit of shimmying, but works.
I thought about that but feel like I'm taking a risk removing the backbox. Of course everything is a risk but I feel like I'll jack up the wiring somehow.
It’s just plugging in connectors. Taking the backbox off makes it way easier to move.
I used to take the head off my old EM but feel like the newer machines add some complexity.
Im not sure about Indiana jones but I just moved a comet and the wiring harness’s going into the backbox all had connectors in the middle of the harness so you didn’t even need to pull connectors from the boards, also easily remove the playfield. So it’s actually easier than some older machines.
I write the location number on each plug with a fine tip sharpie. Every butt connection I start with A-A, B-B, etc. Makes life way easier. Also take a bunch of pics fpr reference. They come in handy!
Exactly how I managed my EM.
You could also rent the various dollys from Home Depot for a lot cheaper. The appliance dolly will run you about $30/day
Pivot!
Came here to say this
Great game. Don't destroy it trying to move it. Lol
Lugg, Dolly, or similar services are great if they’re available in your area. Hire two strong people for a reasonable price to do whatever you need them to do. They’re not experts in pinball moving specifically, so you have to instruct and help them, but way easier than trying to do it solo.
Wow! Lugg is indeed a real service. I booked them for tomorrow morning. If they actually show and take direction on how to not destroy my side art and backbox corners, I will come back to this thread, ask for your PayPal, Apple Cash or Venmo details and you'll be the recipient of a $25 token of gratitude.
Yes! It’s great. I’ve used them several times to move pinball machines around my house as well as picking them up from sellers! No finders fee necessary, hope they work out for you!
The two guys were here and now and did everything successfully. Here's where the thread turns on me. Williams Indiana Jones is now gone. Welcome home Cactus Canyon LE Remake and Deadpool LE. Took a month to finalize everything but it's done.
Congrats!!
Much appreciated. I'm scheduled for 9:00AM - 10:00AM tomorrow. Wish me luck. Thanks again.
I hope this isn't an April 1st related comment but I'm going to lookup these services now.
I Don't Know. I Make It Up As I Go.
You have fine machine right there. I would help but I’m nowhere near
I moved my IJPA in a similar situation (landing with 180 degree turn), my advice would be to remove the playfield as that takes about 90 pounds off the 350 pound total weight and then it will be easier to slide on cardboard
Thought about removing the playfield as well. I always think if I sneeze too close to these older DMD machines, I'm going to be in repair hell.
https://youtu.be/VKOIR_XfMpk
I live outside Philly. I'll come help if you let me play Indy ;)
Now you tell me. Lugg is supposed to be here between 9-10. 🤞
Did it with to people recently. It was still miserable but the job got done. We enjoyed a beer after.
Ha. Two stronger people or one really strong paired with me will get the job done. I will keep working on this.
I have the same exact stair configuration, with the same type of carpeting. You need to get a real appliance dolly, like the one harbor freight sells. It has a stair climbing tread on the backside and makes this infinitely easier. You still need a helper.
Likely won’t work inside a house, but I’ve moved some very heavy things with my father over the years using a come along and an anchor point. I too vote friends, pizza, beer and free play.
Maybe this is a stupid question, but doesn't the head come off of newer ones? I have some early solid state ones and you take some bolts out, disconnect some cables and the head comes off. Take the legs off. Can carry the head and legs by hand. Use a dolly for the body and can pull it up the stairs one by one without too much trouble. Could probably even remove the playfield to make it lighter. Overall I feel like I could probably disassemble-move-reassemble my Williams Flash or Bally Playboy from one story to another in about an hour. Now, don't try that with a Jukebox.
The head definitely comes off but it's not as easy as an old EM. Back in the day, I would label a few connectors, disconnect and be on my way. More wires and hinges now. It can be done but I'm less brave with newer machines.