Pinball Heads

[absofbeer]

Do most all Pinball Machines Heads ( EM, SS, DMD etc) fold down onto
the cabinet? Do they all use a Allen wrench to achieve this?
Bill in Indiana

[Jeff Rivera (jar155)]

  Do most all Pinball Machines Heads ( EM, SS, DMD etc) fold down onto
the cabinet?  Do they all use a Allen wrench to achieve this?
 Bill in Indiana

They vary. Most of the DMD and earlier SS games fold down, but their
locking systems are different. Some just have a latch in the back that
you undo and there are hinges under the backbox. Others have a large
allen wrench key you need. Some earlier SS games don't fold and will
need to have the head removed for transport.

EMs generally need to be unbolted and removed, as they don't fold
down. You'll also need to disconnect wires to remove the head.

[seymour.shabow]

Post by Jeff Rivera (jar155)

Post by absofbeer
Do most all Pinball Machines Heads ( EM, SS, DMD etc) fold down onto
the cabinet? Do they all use a Allen wrench to achieve this?
Bill in Indiana

They vary. Most of the DMD and earlier SS games fold down, but their
locking systems are different. Some just have a latch in the back that
you undo and there are hinges under the backbox. Others have a large
allen wrench key you need. Some earlier SS games don't fold and will
need to have the head removed for transport.
EMs generally need to be unbolted and removed, as they don't fold
down. You'll also need to disconnect wires to remove the head.

Bally heads around Flash Gordon-up fold on hinges. Williams heads
around 1986 started folding.
No classic stern heads fold down on hinges.

Only DE/Sega/Stern heads use the hex wrench method - the others use a
latch and bolts to hold the head in place (latch initially to hold it
while you bolt it in - DO NOT use only the latch!)

[Gott Lieb?]

I'm pretty sure Space Shuttle was one of the first WMS with a folding
head, but I'm not 100%, if it was first. Also, the early WMS folding
heads had no latch at all, and the non-removable speaker panel. You
really have to watch out when you bolt these together. Especially, if
you are expecting a latch!!!

Oh, and to add to the list, I believe Super Orbit in '83 was the first
folding GTB. This would have also been the first "standard" width GTB
game in awhile. Also, SO was the first to use the narrow head and
cheaper cabinet package.

Jim

Bally heads around Flash Gordon-up fold on hinges.  Williams heads
around 1986 started folding.
No classic stern heads fold down on hinges.
Only DE/Sega/Stern heads use the hex wrench method - the others use a
latch and bolts to hold the head in place (latch initially to hold it
while you bolt it in - DO NOT use only the latch!)

[absofbeer]

Thank You for the Info.. Bill in Indiana

[GKW 98]

Thank You for the Info..  Bill in Indiana

Old Gottlieb EMs are not easy to fold. Unlike WMS and Bally, where
you only have 3-4 connectors to take off, Gottliebs have hard-wiring
in addition to 3-4 connectors to take off. While I am at it, try
taking a Gottlieb backglass out, as opposed to WMS and Bally--what
were these guys smoking when they put these machines together? It's
like they built the cabinets around the BG!

[Mrhide]

The allen wrench thing is just for data east / sega / stern.

EM usually have screws at the bottom of the head which are accessible
from the backdoor. The do not fold. They are removable after
unplugging 2-3-4 big connectors. Very easy and makes moving them a lot
easier!

Some SS are the same but are accessible from the front ( meaning
remove the backglass).

All Later SS ( system 11) started to have hinges which have a latch in
the back and / or screws like em and ss inside the head.


Phil in montreal