I've only had a problem one time when the bottom was already falling out of a game. Other than that, I haven't had an issue.

I've also seen folks use two 2x4's, and even make a wooden adapter so that the adapter fits on the lift and the pin sits on the side walls of the cabinet, rather than the plywood on the bottom.

I have moved many games for shows and at my home. At home I use the 500 pound cart, I have a small rug on top of the cart to help prevent any chance of scratching but I have never had any issue with the plywood giving out and I have moved games from front yard to back yard. If the games cabinet is in decent shape I see no problem with using the cart.

theres a ton of surface area on that platform for weight distribution. have yet to have an issue and I take my games for a walk every day...

I use one all the time, without issue. If you're worried about the strength of the plywood, certain things (like changing legs) can be done by entering from the side of the pin, and letting the sides of the cabinet support the load, rather than the bottom of the cabinet.

See https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/modified-harbor-freight-lift-table. It seems to be one of the most popular solution to move pinballs around. I have one myself and love it - until it started acting out and taking forever to go down. I still use it but need to figure out a way to fine tune it.

I usually use a large flattened moving box. I get them at home depot.

I never lift the pin perpendicular to the cart. However, I imagine it would be fine as long as it's balanced and you don't try to move the pin/cart around too much. But, that method wouldn't be my first choice for lifting up a pin.

Of course there is. I would never do that.

I would also add you really should Strap the pin to the cart if you are moving on uneven surfaces, or any distance.
Magicchiz

http://www.homedepot.com/p/The-Home-Depot-18-in-x-18-in-x-24-in-65-lb-Large-Box-1001006/202029359

Honestly, I haven't found the 2x4's to be necessary unless the bottom of the game is already compromised in some way.

I move my pins around all the time with my lift from the sides. No problems at all.

Ive used mine for years with no problems and it really enables me to set up and take down pins by myself fairly easy. Love it

Sometimes depending on how much room I have but usually I use it on the front or back

I slide the cart under the game and lift it up a couple inches. If it's too woobly, it hasn't hit the balance point, so I lower the cart and re-position as needed. Usually, the cart has to go a little past the middle of the cabinet towards the rear since the back end is heavier than the front.

If I'm dragging the game out of my vehicle, the cardboard helps eliminate friction and helps bridge the small gap between the cart and the vehicle.

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I have an older Harbor Freight lift table that has a knob that you turn to lower it. Originally there were some U joints and the knob was mounted to the handle. I took the handle off and threw it in the scrap pile. I attached the knob to the shaft near where the handle was mounted. You don't need the handle. Use the lockdown bar to push and steer. You would just need to figure out a way to mount the motorcycle clutch lever style release to the base somehow so it can't get bumped and drop the table. As mentioned above, put a motorcycle ratchet strap diagonally over the top. Don't crank it down so tight that you bend the side rails. Because the whole thing is very top heavy, be careful on uneven ground that you don't flop it over. I have used mine for moving all kinds of stuff, including a 4 player air hockey table up a ramp into a van box. (Like a Uhaul truck)

Keep in mind that the handle will need to be modified in order for it to fit under a pin. lb1 linked to the thread with different ideas.

I haven't strapped down my pins when moving them on the cart, but it seems like a good idea.

I use mine too. Works well. The only annoying thing is the handle bar that you have to remove and hold on to as the release is connected to it, otherwise it is directly in the way.

Keep in mind that the 1000lb table weighs a bit more than the 500lb table.

I put my 500lb table in my vehicle all the time. It weighs about 100lbs, so I can pick it up off the ground without too much trouble. The 1000lb lift cart weighs 160lbs.

I used the flag pole hinge method. There are also various hinge and angled methods you can use. I wouldn't recommend cutting the handle down, since you then would not be able to reach it while the pin was on the cart.

The way the bottom is mortised into the cabinet, for it to fail in the upward direction, the cabinet corners would have to split apart a long ways. The cabinet would have to be really rickedy for that to happen. If the cabinet corners are solid and the vertical board behind the coinbox is intact, I wouldn't worry about it.

Glad to help out.

Basically, if the bottom panel is rotten, if the bottom is falling out, or the cabinet is coming apart.

I've only picked up one game so far where the bottom panel was significantly compromised in some way--either because of dampness or direct water damage.

The only issue I had is my wheels got flat spots in them, I ASSume from sitting around for awhile without being used. Nothing heavy was stored on top of it during this time; which is very confusing. No one else has had this problem so probably nothing to worry aboot.

I have a couple of flat spots on the wheels from being dragged while the the wheel locks were on

They still work fine, though.

It's a great tool to have... and there is no need for the 1/2 ton version, it just makes transporting the cart more cumbersome than it needs to be. I've found no reason to expand the surface of the cart.... has worked great for me for games of all sizes. I just glued down the mat it comes with, and the surface is now non-slip.

Before I modified the handle to bend, I would simply take the handle out and lay it underneath for transport, it was a very minor inconvenience vs the benefit. It's a perfect height to use for installing legs, and in fact I usually move games with the legs on to avoid any risk of tilting over the game. In fact can't think of a time where a game was at risk unless I was tilting it to get up a step... with legs on one person can get it up and down steps safely but without legs you will want to play it safer with a second person. It is top heavy with a game at full height on the cart, which is why I put legs on first.

Here is what I did/made up, it supports all of the weight evenly, ends and middle, and is pretty stable...

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Yes, this is what I did....quick and easy..

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