Best way to transport an arcade cab?

[LAGO]

So it all started when I got some birthday money from my mom and then a little extra money for Christmas and then low and behold a NEO- GEO cab comes up for sale at what I can afford. Only problem is that it's four hours away by truck. Now getting down there and back is no problem, so what I need to know is what's the best way to transport this baby? on it's back? Standing up? Dragging down the highway with banana peels on the bottom?

But seriously what would be the best way to get this home in the best possible shape? As for what I got to work with I know it'll be hauled home in a truck so that's the means of transport just need to know the best way to secure it.

Sorry for rambling a little but i'm pretty excited about this. Any and all help is much appreciated and I am extremely grateful.

[ClubNinja]

Best bet, lacking a trailer to stand the game up inside of, is to lay it down on its back (its side would work as well, but back is better). Make sure that there are no loose parts inside and the power supply/motherboard/game cart(s)/etc are all secured properly. I transport all games this way in a station wagon and there are no reasons to be concerned.

[Arcade Antics]

What he said. ^ :)

Standing the game upright is always the ideal situation, but often times it isn't practical. In those cases, as CN already said, making sure everything is secure and laying the cab on its back is fine.

The only thing I can think of to add: if you're wanting to be super-duper careful, and/or you're transporting the game over a huge distance, you can wrap the entire cab in shrinkwrap first to keep it from getting scratched and dirty. You might get a little dizzy running around the cabinet several times, but it's worth it. LOL

Also, you'll most definitely want a dolly or "hand truck" of the 2-wheeled variety. You don't need one, but you will want one. ;) Makes the whole process so much easier. Good luck, keep us posted on getting your game into your room of doom!

[Sosage]

Depending on the height of your truck, laying the cabinet on its back also makes loading most top heavy cabinets 100 times easier. Just line her up against the tail gate, lay a moving blanket down so the cabinet will be easier to slide (also to protect your truck bed and the cabinet) then tip and shove (not impossible for a large male to do by himself, though extra hands will help make sure nothing bad happens during the process). Getting it out is the same process in reverse. Slide her out till it tilts safely then push it upright. Keep in mind my truck is low to the ground. This method may actually suck if your bed is higher than normal.

*IF* for some reason you have to stand it up (if you end up having to do two cabs at once) use a ton of rope, position them closest to your cab as opposed to the tail gate and do not speed. In fact. Drive slow. I once almost lost a Playchoice 10 standing up in the back of my truck because I took a turn a pinch too fast (granted...that thing is insanely top heavy compared to normal cabs).

As Club and Lets mentioned, make sure everything is secure. Anything that isn't bolted down you should take with you in the cab. Bring a tarp if it is raining. Bring a handtruck. Watch both ways before crossing the street. That's everything I can think of on the subject. ;P

[LAGO]

Thanks a lot for the advice guys I appreciate it. I didnt think laying it on it's back would hurt it, but it's one of those things I wasn't completely sure on and needed some expert advice.

And believe me when I get it into the room of doom pics are going to be taken and posted. I'm still pretty excited about landing a neo-geo ... finally. Course I probably shouldnt say that until I actually have it here and working, which is exactly one week away.

[Flack]

I'm not one to normally +1 but I think everyone else has said it all. I used to always transport games standing up but after being forced a couple of times to move games lying down and not having anything bad happen, I do whichever is more practical in a particular situation. Standing a cab up (depending on the cab and the truck) can end up with a pretty top heavy situation, so if I'm putting it in the bed of a truck I'll almost always lie it down. My dad has an awesome trailer that I use, if I use it I'll stand them up.

A couple of things to add. One is, if you plan on doing this more than once, invest in some of those "wratchet tie downs" from Lowes. They're super cheap and simple to use and very useful. I have two I keep in my truck just in case.

Another thing is, that bubble wrap (I use tarps, but same idea) idea has another benefit. If you move a cab standing up, depending on the time of year you may end up with a nice film of dead bugs you'll have to scrap off later. :) Tarps and bubble wrap prevents that.

And yeah, a dolly is pretty much a necessity in this hobby. I just moved 4 games from my garage to my arcade and even with a dolly, I'm SORE!

[erehwon]

I do have one suggestion. Pull Slides. (http://www.ezmoves.com/products/ezmoves_pull_con.asp) I used some of these while helping a guy move furniture that likely weighed about twice what most cabs weigh. There is a big difference between real wood furniture and the cheap stuff. My back hurts just remembering it. If you have to move the cab on carpet, these might help. Good luck.

[Time]

All I have to add is if you lay it on it's back place it on cardboard. Better yet use 2 pieces on top of each other. When you slide it out pull the top piece out with the game. This will protect the game and make getting the game out a lot easier.

[Peale]

I work at an amusement company, so let me toss my .02 in.

First, yes, transporting a game is best upright, and strapped to the side of a panel truck.

Failing that, on it's back is fine.

Make DAMN sure everything inside is secure.

As has been stated, laying it on cardboard can help protect the back. But also make sure it's strapped down. You do NOT want it sliding from side to side, or front to back.

When you get it home, do NOT plug it right in. Remove the back door. Visually inspect the monitor. Then inspect the game boards and harness.

After you have made sure everything is where it is supposed to be, *then* you can plug it in and turn it on.

[tholly]

...i just wanted to add, with a neo geo mvs....if your getting carts with it, take them out and put them in the cab of the truck....the can fall out easily and damage any number of internal components....

[Teknik_SE-R]

sounds like you guys need to splurge $40k and get an Envoy XUV LOL :roll:

I used to package slot machines and video poker machines (bally and IGT, 25% of all slots ordered) with the finished chrome and silk screen where I worked. I was involved with all the steps of making these chassis, but I mainly did assembly and packaging and helped load the 18 wheelers too.

DO NOT put saran wrap directly against the cab. the paint/silk screen/graphics applied by whatever method can easily adhere to the saran wrap and pull off.

use that 1/16" foam sheeting or the brown (no bleach or color) butcher paper in direct contact with the cab, then apply your saran wrap ro bubble wrap or whatever.

Oh and any type of padding to separate the cab from the van/truck chassis is ideal too. be it a few layers of corrugated cardboard (ideal for the loading/unloading as someone already said) or a few blankets. none of these are GREAT dampeners, but that way vibration transmission is lessened somewhat.

SSL just thought I'd supply some industry experience (although not much) to the table

[Flack]

Heh yeah, I should add something else I learned the hard way. Don't stick duct tape directly to a cabinet. It has the ability to pull the paint right off when you remove it. D'oh.