Arcade Cabinet Weight - Moving Upstairs?

[porkins]

So I am going to be picking up a Golden Axe upright tomorrow afternoon. Picture of actual cabinet below. Anyone know how much this thing weighs? I'm trying to figure out if my wife and I can handle it comfortably enough to get it out of the back of the SUV, and then inside and up a flight of stairs. Any easy way to lighten it? I was thinking maybe remove the monitor, but how difficult and heavy would that be? This is my very first cab purchase! I was told this is in excellent working and physical conditioin, and only $200! Thanks for your input!

http://images.craigslist.org/3n03m33lc5Td5P85Rba3b9deb11efbc501cc0.jpg

[jb143]

How many flights of stairs? I'd certaly use a dolly, that should make it more bearable. I had a hard enough time getting mine downstairs with 2 other guys helping.

[PingvinBlueJeans]

I'm trying to figure out if my wife and I can handle it comfortably enough to get it out of the back of the SUV, and then inside and up a flight of stairs.
Um...likely not. You're going to need a few people.

[porkins]

Um...likely not. You're going to need a few people.

Seems like it. I have a guy coming to help the day after. So maybe we'll just leave it in the back of the SUV until then.

[tomwaits]

It's going to be heavy, and removing the monitor won't lighten it very much. You'll need a couple guys to get it up stairs.

Try to borrow/rent a stair climbing dolly and some straps. I think U-haul rents them. It will be FAR easier to deal with it. Strap it tight to the dolly immediately so loading, unloading, and stairs will all be just tilting and pushing instead of lifting.

Also, be sure to measure the back of the SUV and the cabinet with a dolly attached first. Depending on the SUV, you might need something bigger.

Good luck!

[porkins]

It's going to be heavy, and removing the monitor won't lighten it very much. You'll need a couple guys to get it up stairs.

Try to borrow/rent a stair climbing dolly and some straps. I think U-haul rents them. It will be FAR easier to deal with it. Strap it tight to the dolly immediately so loading, unloading, and stairs will all be just tilting and pushing instead of lifting.

Also, be sure to measure the back of the SUV and the cabinet with a dolly attached first. Depending on the SUV, you might need something bigger.

Good luck!

Ok. I have a friend coming to help. I can rent an appliance dolly from UHaul. So when I pick up the cabinet, will I need to have the dolly with me then? How hard will it be to get the cabinet with the dolly attached into the back of the SUV? It needs to go up to about thigh-height. And then getting it out and setting it on the ground? Yikes. Maybe I should just hire someone to move it.

[Jared_Vibelicious]

just picked up my first cab not too long ago (it had a 27" monitor and is about 500lbs) it was a B*T@H to move! I would hire someone to move it if you have the money. It took about 4 of us to lift it up the steps to get it inside the house.



Ok. I have a friend coming to help. I can rent an appliance dolly from UHaul. So when I pick up the cabinet, will I need to have the dolly with me then? How hard will it be to get the cabinet with the dolly attached into the back of the SUV? It needs to go up to about thigh-height. And then getting it out and setting it on the ground? Yikes. Maybe I should just hire someone to move it.

[tomwaits]

Ok. I have a friend coming to help. I can rent an appliance dolly from UHaul. So when I pick up the cabinet, will I need to have the dolly with me then? How hard will it be to get the cabinet with the dolly attached into the back of the SUV? It needs to go up to about thigh-height. And then getting it out and setting it on the ground? Yikes. Maybe I should just hire someone to move it.

If you can strap it onto a dolly immediately, it'll make the whole process easier. Wheel the dolly to the SUV, tilt it onto the back of the SUV and slide it in. (flattened cardboard on the floor) When you get home, slide it out and tilt it back to standing, wheel it to the stairs then... just don't hurt yourselves. Two guys should be able to move it, probably want a third to help on the stairs.

As long as the cabinet and dolly combo will fit in the back of your SUV, I think that's the way to go from the start.

[Tootai]

Moving cabinets isn't that big of a deal as people make it out to be. I sold my Sega Aero City that was made out of pure metal and heavy as hell, two guys came to pick it up, one was really skinny and the other was quite big boned. I was kind of worried how they're gonna get it down. I had visions of the other guy getting crushed by the cab :P They took their time but managed to get it down the narrow spiral staircase just fine. My NBA JAM is kind of big too big but not as heavy, took just two guys to get up a few flights of stairs. Two average guys can manage moving a cab with some effort and sweating, I just don't know how strong your wife is :)

[Tempest]

I was able to move my cabs upstairs (and then downstairs again) with just a dolly and the help of my dad. Moving a cab isn't that hard as long as you have clearance to maneuver it. It's when you start going around tight corners that you start having problems.

Tempest

[Felixthegamer]

Two to three people and a dolly. Every time I have had to move a cab up or down stairs, I have had hassles.

[aclbandit]

I was able to move my cabs upstairs (and then downstairs again) with just a dolly and the help of my dad. Moving a cab isn't that hard as long as you have clearance to maneuver it. It's when you start going around tight corners that you start having problems.

Tempest
EDIT: QFT. Trouble is, oftentimes stairways have very little clearance for an arcade cab, and a turn at the top or something.

I've got both of mine upstairs. It was an adventure, but it was do-able. Just you and your wife can probably do it, so long as the both of you are reasonably beefy.

However, I think when I need to move these two out, I'm going to pay a couple of very large men to do so, because I don't wanna do it again.

[porkins]

EDIT: QFT. Trouble is, oftentimes stairways have very little clearance for an arcade cab, and a turn at the top or something.

I've got both of mine upstairs. It was an adventure, but it was do-able. Just you and your wife can probably do it, so long as the both of you are reasonably beefy.

However, I think when I need to move these two out, I'm going to pay a couple of very large men to do so, because I don't wanna do it again.

I had 2 strong friends of mine help. Rented an appliance dolly. We got it upstairs without any mishaps, but it was a PAIN! Had to get it up 4 steps to the little landing, and then remove the dolly and reset it so that we didn't have to turn the machine. But it actually fit and is now upsatirs in my game room!

Now I need to restore it as much as possible. I'm pretty sure it is original, as it has a Sega hologram sticker on the front bezel, and a white Golden Axe sticker on the back. But the sides are plain white with no sideart. I want to add siddeart and replace the control panel, as it is a bit beatup. Also need to replace both joysticks and 6 buttons, add 6 more buttons, fix the coin slots, maybe replace the caps, etc. Definitely needs the volume knob potentiometer replaced or cleaned. It is very touchy, and the sound will go in and out. Then I will convert it into a MAME cabinet. I may build some kind of wire harness so I can easily hook up the original hardware to resell later. Never done this before! If anybody has a good website with lots of info, I'd appreciate it!

[Arcade Antics]

I'm pretty sure it is original, as it has a Sega hologram sticker on the front bezel, and a white Golden Axe sticker on the back. But the sides are plain white with no sideart.

If by original you mean dedicated, it's not. Golden Axe is a kit only game. It looks like it's an Atari cab, someone here can probably ID it if you post more photos.

[bradd]

actual weight for arcade cabinets is right around 300 pounds. they are heavier than a standard sized refrigerator. if you have an appliance dolly, its more about layout of the house than anything as far as difficulty. if its a straight shot, it should be no problem for two regular guys. we just moved and it was really icy out, i got to see my MAME cab take a tumble across the front yard. the cab held up fine but the monitor wasnt properly secured and came crashing through the front glass. also, my friend tried pulling it back by the top, which ripped off and had only been poorly fastened with an electric nail gun. so make sure all the screws are where they need to be, and if any parts of the cab feel loose sink a few more just to make sure.

[Lucifersam1]

A little ex post facto, as I saw, but my response:


We moved a Midway Skins game up 15 steps or so.. utility dolly with the cabinet STRAPPED to it. Make sure the big guys pulling up the stairs so he doesn't let it go and crush the one on the other side. I think the thing was 300+ pounds (25" monitor alone probably weighed over 100)!

One step at a time! Don't rush...

I have bought fewer cabs than I have wanted to over the years because no one wants to help move the damn things!

[porkins]

I'm going to start a new thread and post pics of the cabinet. Now I need adivce on upgrading and converting it!