I once picked up a game from someone that had a low-friction mat that's apparently used by movers. It really made loading the machine easy and slid right out from under the machine afterwards. I think I want one of these.

I googled around, but I must not know what these are actually referred to or something.

That's nice MacGyvering of this concept, but I'd like to find the real thing. It was really slick: when I used it, it seemed great to slide the pin onto the pickup bed. Then I thought, okay, but how do you get the mat out from underneath now?! I grabbed it with one hand and it slid right out with little effort - like magic.

I'll take a peak at the masonite next time I'm in the hardware store though: curious how thick and how expensive it is.

That's definitely the right category, thanks! I wish I remembered the brand of the one I used (think it also had some goofy name), maybe it was a little bigger, seemed to cover the full length of the pin if I remember correctly.