Happy to help. So the steppers that take the weight when climbing the stairs are a hard rubber. I have never seen them damage wood. I have however seen the escalera mark up a metal door threshold if you are rough.

The rubber steppers are great at even grabbing the edge of a stair really surprising how well they stick. If you have any other questions, we’d be happy to assist as the pinball dealers for Escalera. They are the real deal and fantastic to have when owning pinball machines or...well...anything heavy.

Zach Meny
Flip N Out Pinball
flipnoutpinball.com
[email protected]
812.457.9711

I think we have Rai squared away thanks everyone for the help!!!! Great Escalera Club here!

Elaborate a bit. When you say pinball plate to you mean the forklift model with detachable extended plate? Or do you mean the typical toe plate on a standard escalera without forklift?

Will it work? Yes. Will it be easy? No, unfortunately nothing makes landings or spiral stairs easy. My only concern would be the angle that the stairs take midway up. It looks like the path gets more narrow and turn is sharper.

Tell me this, have you used a regular appliance dolly hauling a pin before on those stairs? Each stair is technically still straight so after each step you’d just square it up before going up the next.

Correct all standard models are the same cost but can be built at 60”, 66”, or 72”. 95% of our buyers opt for the 66” version and that’s the one I personally use as well.

Yes it will move fine on carpet. As a reminder to everyone, the forklift model does not have long enough forks to move machines from front to back and requires you to go from the side. However, with the pinball plate attachment for the forklift model ($200) you can lift machines from front to back with ease similar to a hydraulic jack that many are accustomed to.

Sorry for the delay everyone and big thanks to Yelo for the assist.

So we price the standard Escalera at $2200 plus shipping. This includes battery, smart charger, and retractable strap.

The Escalera Forklift Model is $2800 plus shipping. It cannot really be added later because the frame is cut into to accomodate the winch. It’s easily detachable when not in use so we tell customers if you think you’ll ever need it, it may be good to purchase. You can always keep it stored when not in use, that’s what I do.

The Pinball Plate was designed by Flip N Out Pinball and Escalera to make moving pinball machines easier. They cost $200 plus shipping. Once attached the escalera forklift model has a flat extended plate that can lift machines from front to back, instead of only from the side. Without the pinball plate, the forklift model forks are not long enough to pick up pinball machines from front to back.

Also, the forklift can technically be left on when going up and down stairs, but for carrying pinball machines, we do NOT recommend keeping the forklift attachment on when maneuvering up and down stairs.

Zach Meny
Flip N Out Pinball
Escalera Dealer

I believe so but depending on the age of escalera a toeplate upgrade may be necessary. If your would like step edge system I ask that people send me a pic of their model number and toeplate to include their order so we get the right stuff ordered.

I have not used the step edge system personally but it is becoming more popular with people from the feedback we’ve received

Whew The P3 is truly a beast to handle!

I have not seen how the JJP undercab lighting is setup. Is the lighting recessed into the cab or is it sticking out?

Then it should be fine. Keep us updated.

That awesome collection deserves an Escalera so it fits in perfectly.

Everyone should always practice with the escalera before using one for a pinball machine, especially a damn heavy one. We recommend practicing using it without a load first. Then practice with something 100 pounds to get the feel of that shift in weight distribution when the steppers engage on the step. Then practice with a players condition game, etc.

Remember, the Escalera isn’t tilted back as far when going up and down stairs like a traditional hand truck. With traditional hand trucks the user leans it back so the slider belts assist. On the Escalera if you do the same, the slider belts will allow it to slide, which you won’t be expecting. So instead, it should be more of a 45 degree when going up the stairs and can be a bit more of an angle when going down, but not so much to hit the sliding belts.

The most important part when using the escalera is to have a good stance to support the weight shift and be ready for it (practice). But you should never be pulling the Escalera up the stairs when it’s loaded with a machine. No need to ever lift or pull, rather you are counterbalancing the weight shift.

Confused yet? Don’t be. It’s easy to learn and once you got it down, it’s as effortless as riding a bicycle. If I can do it, believe me, anyone can.

Final note, regardless of using an Escalera or a typical hand truck or 5 guys and a case of beer.... tight landings suck and JJP machines, B/W widebodies, and Multimorphic P3s are VERY heavy!

Within the next couple of weeks I will be updating and adding Escalera videos so be on the lookout for those. There will be links on our website and they will be on flip n out’s YouTube page so while you’re thinking about it, go there now and subscribe so you can be notified when new videos go up, as well as some fun videos showcasing the newest games and products that are released in pinball....and in arcades????

Good info here thanks. I can easily move the detached forklift because the front has wheels. So I pick up the end that attaches to the escalera and easily roll it into a storage spot when not in use

I hear ya. Also watch those fingers when attaching the forklift. That strap lock pin can wreak havoc on a finger....not that I have made that mistake 4 times...

I always tell people that at some point you’re gonna have to buy the aluminum. Either a couple grand worth in the Escalara or the hardware that will go in your back which will be much pricier and more painful. The metal is going somewhere....hahaha

Those prices are a bit higher than what we sell accessories for but I can affirm that the company is made up of great people and very supportive. Big wheels are 150 plus shipping and batteries are 100 plus shipping.

Thanks for the reminder. I use my Escalara multiple times a week for past couple years and I’ve noticed the battery getting a bit sluggish. I need to order a new one as well. The battery charge is usually fantastic. I used to forget to charge it and still could bank on it lugging a handful of games up and down some steps

It would be similar to a standard handtruck

You’ll get used to knowing how far from the step the main wheels will be before engaging the steppers. Always have a good front to back leg stance to position self. Typical stairs you should be able to keep pressing the switch instead of stopping in each stair. Also remember, the hand truck doesn’t need to be tilted back all the way. The trickiest part is getting used to ‘the pull’ forward when going up stairs. If you got that down then going down isn’t bad at all. Phone me if you need to 812.457.9711.

Sorry for all of the delays in responding to some of you regarding Escalera sales. A week vacation set me back in a list of things and Escalera has been backed up a bit more than usual this past month. If youve tried to call and we weren’t able to answer, email me at [email protected] and we can setup a time to chat.

Always happy to help in this thread as well to answer any questions you all may have.

Happiest Of Holidays Escalera Club!

Zach
Flip N Out Pinball
Official Escalera Pinball Dealer

hahahaha not a bad idea

So honestly I don’t know because I haven’t installed them on mine. They are a bit pricey and I don’t see how they’d be a breeze to install. That’s just me being an escalera owner. People order them and don’t report back any issues.
I had a new staircat with them installed from factory for a customer and used them once to demonstrate at Expo.
I know the machine so well that it is of no use to me because learning where to look at a side wheel and the step edge distance is easy, quick, and not relying on another mechanism. People like them and feel better about them so I am supportive but it’s not an accessory I push because I don’t have enough experience.

Happy to discuss through messaging if anyone is interested. You know, in the next month or two I am going to order a fully loaded model and produce new demonstration videos for each accessory. Would that be helpful to people here or a waste of time?

Thanks again all!

The Escalera will make the stairs much much easier. It will not help that 180 degree turn at all. The only benefit is you will have more energy to manage the nightmare turn once you get there. Happy to help if you have any other questions.

[email protected]

I’ve never had any issue with carpet using my Escalera. I’ve owned it from new so thankfully no one has incorrectly added grease or anything to the chains that would stain carpet. Positioning it on stairs is also simple from my experience.

Granted, I do sell them so I have that disgusting and biased mark on my head hahaha But, people know me and know that I will shoot them straight. Many things can get a pinball machine up and down stairs. The Escalera Staircat is one of them. I use one daily and couldn’t do my job without one. They are built great, offer a range of accessories for specific jobs, are manufactured by a wonderful team that truly care about the pinball industry, and they don’t lose value. There’s a reason why they don’t often pop up for sale used or why a rusty old one dragged through hell still fetches $1500 or more.

CHICAGO PINBALL EXPO SHOW SPECIAL

We will be offering a Show Special on Escalera Stairclimbing Handtrucks this year.

- Preorder Now For Show Pickup
- No Waiting Typical 8-10 Weeks
- No Shipping Charges (approx. $200-300 savings)
- FREE Installed Magnum Crossgrip Handle (approx. $150 savings)
- Big Wheels Attachment Available As Well

Email Us To Reserve Yours TODAY!

[email protected]
812.457.9711

3874A36A-8F00-4BCD-B78D-C0A97C02109D (resized).jpeg

$2399 cash/check

Very very cool! I love attaching those big wheels and just taking pins on a stroll. Too easy

How do you get pins down there now?

The Escalera Staircat essentially has the same footprint as a regular handtruck so I don’t think that would be an issue. And going up would be much easier if it works. You’d just squared up the dolly to each new step. The Escalera lifts and goes up-down more vertically than sliding on a regular handtruck anyway.

If you can get games up and down with a regular handtruck I think the Staircat would work. It may be best to borrow one from someone first to make sure. I know Poor Man’s Podcast Drew just got one and is in your area maybe see if he can loan it to ya for a weekend.

90% of the time we sell people the standard 66” Staircat. It’s what I use. The most used accessories are the Big Wheels Attachment and the Magnum Crossgrip Handle.

NEW PINBALL PRODUCT: Tilt & Truck Pinball Table by Escalera

Zach shows off Escalera's new MUST HAVE pinball product. The Tilt & Truck Pinball Table makes setting up, breaking down, loading, and unloading a pinball machine a breeze. Your collection deserves the Tilt & Truck Pinball Table. Get rid of your cheap broken down hydraulic lift table that leaks fluid everywhere and replace it with this!

The Staircat battery should be good for multiple flights, so many many more than that. It sounds like it's time for a new battery. I swap my batteries every couple of years and like many other similar appliance/machine batteries, I notice that when I am hauling our Escalera in the van during cold months it zaps it faster.

Yup, I wanna gonna say the same things. Use those steppers as a brake system. I learned the same way as I have on a couple of occasions had it knock me in the head. I always put it in Park now when attaching Big Wheels Attachment.