I think it's probably worth the effort to remove the head. From the gas standpoint alone, using a lot of assumptions:

475 M * 2 / 30 MPG * 4 $PG = $120
475 M * 2 / 20 MPG * 4 $PG = $184

BTW, I'm guessing I can stop trying to contact the guy in Alexandria.

I had to de-head my RBION to bring it home. It was a lot easier than I imagined. Just label all the connectors and you'll be good to go. The wires are already in the shape of where they need to go so when you put it back together everything will kind of fall into place.

Good to know, thanks. I just know it's got to happen at some point.

If you remove the hinge bolts, you should be able to gain an additional inch or so by moving the head forward slightly. Might be enough, maybe not.

The anxiety surrounding removing the head is usually about 2x greater than the trouble of actually doing it. I know that, yet I still suffer from that same anxiety. If you do end up doing it, it won't be that bad. Really.

Honestly, my jeep had 30 inches clearance and I fit my cyclone.

I have removed a taxi backbox to move it before. The task seemed daunting at first, but once I took a cell phone picture of every connector I removed, it was easy. Took about 30mins to reassemble. And i'm a newbie.

I wouldn't dare moving it in the back of a pickup. Ask black rose for his pictures of this pinbot.

My advice: try fitting it in the wagon. If it doesn't fit, disconnect the head. It's really not too bad.

Oh and if you label connectors (which you should), don't just write "j6" on it, for example. Which j6? the interconnect board, the cpu, etc. etc.

Good luck Jobi. Safe travels.

Post pics when you get her up and running!

+1

I've been there man, I've had to round up a truck on mulitiple occasions.. and renting is just TOO EXPENSIVE!! I ended up buying a Chevy Blazer which is capable of hauling 1 game at a time with the back seats folded flush to the ground. Its nice not having weather be a factor also being that the pin is completely inside the vehicle.

My father and I have removed the head on plenty of machines to the them safely home.

The machines include:
Stargate
Black Hole
Paragon
Harlem Globetrotters
Cactus Jack
...
Well, now that I think about it. All of our machines have been done that way.
We used Jeeps Grand Cherokees for most of the moves. We just had some cardboard for the machine to lay on and we put it between the cabinet and the head.
Everything stayed fine. We've had no problems doing it this way

Good luck to you!

Skrippyedit: Congrats! If it comes down to it, though. There should be no problems takeing the head off!

+ 1 on the jeep....I own a jeep as well and it's the BEST pin moving vehicle out there. Granted you can only fit one at a time...but it's covered, perfectly snug, and the shocks dampen any road issues for a safely traveled pin. I have moved 6 pins...no issues.

I knew this would be the outcome.

Ever try two? I've contemplated two if the were leaned up on the wheel wells. Almost like a "V" shape

Just pull the head its not a biggie

All the connectors are keyed. Just remove the head.