For $$$ and for dealing with stairs, Escalera cannot be beat.

check out my website to see the Escalera in action

flipnoutpinball.com

Larry

Penguin or Harbor Freight for a pinball lifter/cart. But an Escalara can't be beat when it comes to moving a game upstairs...

Depends what you're using it for. Stairs? Moving up your driveway and around the gameroom? Lifting and lowering games? Pin Skates are my favorite way to move pins when no stairs are involved.

for moving a game with the legs on, I'm a big fan of the Pinball Skates: http://www.jabetc.com/products/pinball-skates-dolly

I had a Wico pinball lift type thing and it wouldn't fit under about 1/2 of my games for some reason. I've heard of others having similar issues.

Pinball skates are nice and easy.

As far as moving a game when broken down I love these: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200624027_200624027

It has some legs that pop out of the back to take most of the weight. Of course these don't work on grass usually. Our local show guys/gals bought a few of these to load in games and also rave about them.

A lot of folks have bought a lift table from harbor freight and modified the handle in some way.

https://pinside.com/pinball/forum/topic/modified-harbor-freight-lift-table

This question comes up periodically. When I researched it, to arrive at some decision, I discovered that Wico was long off the market, Yellow Jacket was basically out of business, Penguin was Out of Stock indefinitely, and there was rather mixed opinion about the wooden flatbed one or any of the Northern Freight solutions. I asked a collector and local operator, who still used one of the old Wicos. He told me that probably the best one still around was the one that (I think) is sold by Marco. There are also two versions of it sold on eBay by a regular seller, one of them appearing to be identical to the one Marco sells, and the other derived from it but having some custom mods. That is the one I got, a link for it shown below. I have not really had occasion to use it yet, but wanted to have a decent solution like this on hand. There are two possible improvements that come to mind: some sort of cushioning for the handle, to make it a bit kinder for the user, and I think I'll be draping some cardboard across the flat support surface, to avoid any rough metal interaction with where the game underside makes contact with the dolly. That would sort of address a "pro" of the ones that have a plywood or rubberized lifting surface.

ebay.com link: Pinball Machine Dolly Lift Cart NEW DESIGN LIFTS 2 HIGHER

The pinball skates have their uses, but won't attach to all game legs.

I never heard of the escalera until now, but am glad to add it to my reference section. Rather pricey, though.

Nothing is easier than a standard pinball dolly for moving games on a hard surface.

Theyre on ebay for about $300 new..

ebay.com link: New Pinball Dolly Lift Cart

You can also find a used one for $100-$200

To me there is no CON to a pinball dolly

Harbor freight table - you basically have to modify and the hydraulics could go out eventually

Escalara - for moving games up and down stairs, not practical for moving games around everyday.

Skates - if you like being on your knees and crawling around under your games go right ahead.

Pinball dolly is fast and easy...

Coffin lifts work well too.

carpet slide (furniture slides) work great for that.

http://www.amazon.com/EZ-Moves-Permanent-Furniture-Slides/dp/B001KJ7BH0/ref=sr_1_13

that is just a quick amazon search, i am sure there are others.

In that case...I've seen these recommended for just shuffling machines around:

ebay.com link: itm

ebay.com link: itm

For completeness sake, I think this i the one I mentioned re the plywood flatbed:

http://www.jeff-z.com/pinball/dolly/dolly.html

but I think I have seen similar ones for sale elsewhere.

I have also used these "crab-shaped" tri-wheel slider thingies you can find at Ace hardware for around 20 - 25 bucks (?), although I've bought them cheaper in full sets on eBay. (Sorry, can't find a link or picture right now.) These are only good for relatively short distances, over smooth and level surfaces, but they can also be maneuvered into some difficult spaces. (You will have to get underneath the table to use them, though.) Good to have some different options available.

Yeah I actually have my machines on similar sliders full time to save the carpet and I can move the machines around the room as required, if necessary. Not sure by you would need to spend any more than $20.

<messed up edit attempt -- never mind>

I purchased a used ATV lift from a pawn shop, for 40 dollars. I didn't like the tiny wheels, So I went to Harbor freight, bought four 4" wheels, and I welded them on. it will roll over gravel, door jambs almost anything except stairs. It fits directly under my pins, so it slides pins right thru doors. It has tie down hooks built in and a bottle jack for lifting. wheels are rated for 1200 pounds, the lift for more than that. the whole thing weighs less than 100 pounds.

its this plus wheels. VVVVV

http://www.afabonline.com/images/Lift-Cln.gif

I use this with my machines on carpet:

http://www.pinballlifter.com/

My carpet isn't thick, but this works great.............

Glad you included that pic.

Weight may be a consideration. I think the one I bought clocks in at 70 lb.s. By this point (ain't gettin' any younger . . . ), that is movable for me, although not so easily to lift, if I had to.

Some have said that most of the hydraulic jacks that are part of these units can leak, sooner or later. I don't know how valid that is, but I'm wondering if I should leave a rubber mat or something like that under it.

those bottle jacks can leak, but are easily replaceable. a seal would have to rot out, because you're not putting enough weight on it to blow it out. there's less than a cup of fluid if they do go.

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-ton-hydraulic-bottle-jack-66450.html

For moving my games on carpet I buy these (from Walmart) :
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Sliders-3.5-Round/16782140

One used to be able to find them in a 16 pack for $12-$15 also

They really work well

M

I have one of these tables and I was just thinking about modifying it. Tons of great ideas in this thread.

Here's how I move mine.IMG_1033 (2).jpg

Random question:
My house has a gravel driveway with a somewhat steep decline into my house. I actually broke a dolly getting it inside. My other pin is at my parents house. What would be the best way to move a pin over gravel, up and down a hill?

I'm biased but I use the Big Wheel Accessory for my Escalera. That is what its made for.

How is this thing not tilting?