I have a pair of the forearm ones and they work well. Would still recommend keeping the machine in the box and using an appliance dolly.

Get help and a dolly, ideally an appliance dolly. I have some of those straps and they are ok at best for hauling stuff in a straight line; going up and down steps with them is a nightmare.

Unbox game, secure to dolly, slowly and carefully two man move up the steps.

I also vote an appliance hand truck. Especially out of the box they are great. I have 5 steps up into my house and it is so worth it.

I have a terrible set up for getting pins in and out of my basement (curved stairs).

I used the shoulder hardness for awhile, and it was OK. Then I bought a nice dolly, and a $20 roll of packing wrap, and it works much better. The wrap keeps everything safe - walls and machine. Here is what I use - https://www.menards.com/main/home-decor/office-supplies/mailing-shipping-supplies/duck-reg-20-x-1-000-stretch-wrap/280797/p-1444442292685-c-7161.htm?tid=1517598525943286230&ipos=2

That’s why I suggested keeping it in the box vs. unpacking outside. With it strapped to a good dolly and 2 people it should be easy. Carrying up steps is always riskier if someone missteps, etc.

You could also offer to tip the delivery driver to help you take it right into the house. They’re not suppose to do it but most won’t pass up the opportunity.

I have seen lifting strap wrapped around the axle or base of a dolly. It helps the lower person lift or lower the dolly smoothly on each step.

Unless you have LOTS of room on your stairs in the box is a BAD idea....I don’t get why people have so many problems with stairs unless they are curved.

Appliance dollies are nice but not really needed. Plan ahead if there is a landing that you will have room to stand the game on end and make the turn of there is one. The guy at the top of the dolly doesn’t have to be the strongest guy in the world but ensure you have a good grip on the handle of the dolly. 1-2 people on the bottom giving a small lift/push to get up each step. Don’t rush. All this talk of straps is nonsense and a trip hazard more than anything. If you are holding straps your hands are not free to stabilize the pin if it it slips or shifts. And I can assure you NIB pins take MORE abuse on a road trip across the country than a going up and down a few steps.

And another option I have done when moving a pin downstairs by myself is to remove the head, pull the playfield out of the cab. Then move each piece and put it all back together. It’s not as bad as it sounds.

Everyone has their own approach so bottom line is do what you feel most comfortable with and be safe....no one wants to get crushed by a pin or hear of a pin getting damaged.

Stairs just suck in general and I think we can all agree on that.

Unless you move LOTS of games an escalera is not worth the cost. And those are not foolproof....there are plenty of people that have had issues using them as well. A good dolly and 1-2 reliable friends to help and sounds like you should be just fine in your case.

I feel for those with curved or tight stairs as they can be tricky.

I have my games in my basement (15 steps) and have always used a dolly, moving 10 games down and 5 games up. I’ve found the most success having the game on the dolly covered with a blanket and using ratchet straps to secure the game. One person on the side towards the upper floor and two people towards the basement. One step at a time and take your time. Good luck with Williams wide-bodies and JJP machines. Never tried the straps on the game but used them moving a freezer and had balance issues.

Lots of people do it, but I'd never have anyone on the stairs below a pin. Not worth the risk and not necessary.

Just a quick sidebar comment not related to lifting. But since it is a NIB (pristine!)...and if you did take it out of the box, I would run over to a big box hardware store and get a spool of the plastic wrapping stuff and wrap that baby up! A cheap $10 investment to protect a $7K pin. Also, cut up the corners of the box so you can place them on the cabinet bottom edges to prevent any chipping, but make sure there's no staples left over that can cause damage. When I moved Houdini, I wrapped a couple of layers on, put the cardboard on the edges, then wrapped it up again. By the time I moved it, it looked like a mummy.

OK...back to lifting straps. I've often thought about getting some, but opted for a Harbor Freight appliance dolly.

Some of the packing material might even made for that purpose. Houndi had some I just reused.

And BTW, congrates on a NIB!

You should get to the gym more often, those are weak numbers

gotta be a hulk to one man a heavy dmd game with a dolly up a flight of stairs.

when on the bottom under pin helping push it up the steps I feel pretty safe because i can use my legs and core to help. Even if the guy completely let go on top I could probaly keep it steady for a while.

I would be way more neverous going solo with a dolly up the stairs. When i do it solo the head comes off and the pf comes out. takes more time but makes it safer.

Agree completely with this.

Buddy of mine brought some forearm lifting straps over to help me move a game in my house. What a bitch it was trying to get the damn game out of the truck which took way too long and more work then it actually was to get the game down the yard through the walk out. Pretty sure my back got all sore up just from that cause it was too awkward getting it out of the truck. We threw the straps on the ground and just muscled it like we always do. I wouldn't even try using those things again unless its a simple move.

I've had experienced buying a game from someone that had used a dolly and ratchet strapped his games. Moved everything himself so I'm planning on doing this going forward myself. Good to see the rest of this group seems to be in agreement with that method as well.

Sarcasm way over your head buddy.

Not really. I have moved lots of games in and out alone and don’t think twice anymore.
Escalera!
I have up 13 then down 3 stairs with no way to turn around to get out of the basement. I have magnesium appliance dollies and the escalera. I only use the latter when alone because I have more control with it up and down. I do use straps and moving blankets!
I avoid wide bodies though