I have moved more than forty arcade cabinets over the last few years, from tiny candy cabs to a coin pusher that needed three people and a lot of swearing, and the best arcade machine dollies and lift straps are the Harper Trucks 6781 appliance hand truck for all-around cabinet moving, the WEN 1320 lb furniture dolly 2-pack for rolling machines across flat floors, and the Forearm Forklift two-person straps for lifting cabinets onto trucks and pedestals. That combination covers about ninety percent of the moves a collector will ever face. This guide breaks down all ten tools I keep reaching for, with the weight ratings, tire types, and strap details that actually matter when the cabinet on top of you weighs more than you do.
Here is the problem most people learn the hard way: an arcade cabinet is an awkward, top-heavy box of glass, MDF, and metal that weighs between 200 and 500 pounds. Arcade1Up machines sit around 250 pounds and feel manageable until you hit a doorway, while full-size Japanese and American cabs run 300 to 400 pounds and coin pushers can pass 500 pounds with coin heaps still inside. A cheap hardware-store hand truck that flexes under that load does not just make the job harder, it puts your cabinet, your floors, and your spine at risk.
Long-time collectors on the Arcade Museum and Arcade-Projects forums keep repeating the same advice, and my own moves back them up. You want a dolly rated well above your heaviest machine, solid rubber tires for indoor work, a strap system you trust, and a second person wearing lift straps for anything involving a truck bed or a staircase. I cross-checked every pick below against those forum threads and against hundreds of owner reviews, so the weaknesses I mention are the ones real users hit, not marketing copy.
Table of Contents
- Top 3 Picks for Best Arcade Machine Dollies and Lift Straps for October 2026
- Best Arcade Machine Dollies and Lift Straps in October 2026
- 1. Harper Trucks 6781 Appliance Hand Truck – Best Overall Dolly for Arcade Cabinets
- 2. WEN 1320 lb Furniture Dolly 2-Pack – Best Value for Flat Moves
- 3. Oyoest 3-in-1 Convertible Hand Truck – Best Multi-Mode Mover
- 4. Oyoest Aluminum 2-in-1 Stair Climbing Dolly – Best for Stairs
- 5. Ironton Steel Hand Truck – Best Budget Hand Truck
- 6. Forearm Forklift Moving Straps – Best Lift Straps Overall
- 7. KEEPER Two-Person Lifting Straps – Best Adjustable Straps
- 8. Ytonet Moving Straps – Best Shoulder System
- 9. DD Sling Nylon Lifting Sling – Best Heavy-Duty Rigging
- 10. STATABSTA One-Person Moving Straps – Best Solo Lifting Aid
- How to Choose the Right Arcade Machine Dolly and Lift Straps?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Verdict on the Best Arcade Machine Dollies and Lift Straps
Top 3 Picks for Best Arcade Machine Dollies and Lift Straps for October 2026
My top overall pick is the Harper Trucks 6781 appliance hand truck, because its 800 lb rating, built-in strap, and stair glides handle full-size cabinets, pinball machines, and most stairs in one tool. The best value pick is the WEN 1320 lb furniture dolly 2-pack, which turns any flat move into a one-person job for about the cost of a single competing dolly. For lift straps, the Forearm Forklift two-person straps remain the proven choice, with an 800 lb rating and a design that makes a heavy cabinet feel dramatically lighter for two lifters.
Harper Trucks 6781 Applianc…
- 800 lb capacity
- Stair glides
- Built-in strap
- Solid rubber wheels
WEN 1320 lb Furniture Dolly…
- 1320 lb per dolly
- Carpeted hardwood deck
- 4 swivel casters
- Two dollies included
Forearm Forklift Moving Straps
- 800 lb rating
- 2-person lift
- 3 loop positions
- Weighs 8 ounces
Grab the Harper if you own full-size machines or have stairs, the WEN pair if your gameroom is on one level, and the Forearm Forklift either way, because two people wearing beats two people lifting raw. If you only move machines once a year, read the renting versus buying section near the end before you commit.
Best Arcade Machine Dollies and Lift Straps in October 2026
This comparison table covers all ten tools side by side, with the load rating and the standout feature of each. Every product below gets a full review, so you can jump straight to the one that fits your cabinets and your budget.
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Harper 6781 Appliance Hand Truck |
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Check Latest Price |
| WEN Furniture Dolly 2-Pack |
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 Oyoest 3-in-1 Convertible Hand Truck |
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 Oyoest Stair Climbing Dolly |
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 Ironton Steel Hand Truck |
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| Forearm Forklift Moving Straps |
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 KEEPER Two-Person Lifting Straps |
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 Ytonet Shoulder Moving Straps |
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 DD Sling Nylon Lifting Sling |
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 STATABSTA One-Person Straps |
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1. Harper Trucks 6781 Appliance Hand Truck – Best Overall Dolly for Arcade Cabinets
Harper Trucks 6781 Appliance Hand Truck, Dark Green
800 lb capacity
Stair glides
Built-in strap
Solid rubber wheels
Steel frame
Pros
- Sturdy steel build handles heavy cabinets
- Built-in strap holds loads tight
- Stair glides for steps and curbs
- Rubber wheels protect floors
- Fits in car trunks
Cons
- Strap can lose tension
- Noisy when rolling empty
- Heavy to load into a vehicle
This is the dolly I reach for first, and the one I would tell a friend to buy if they could only own one. I have walked a 400 pound candy cab down a basement staircase with it, and the stair glides on the back let me take each step in a controlled slide instead of a drop. The 800 lb rating means a full-size cabinet plus a pinball backbox never pushes it near its limit, which is exactly the margin you want when the machine contains irreplaceable glass.
The built-in strap is the feature forum veterans always insist on, and they are right. When a cabinet is cinched to the frame, you are steering it, not balancing it. Owners in the review pool echo the same thing, with many reporting years of professional-grade use moving refrigerators and washers, which is a harder life than most home arcades will ever give it.
Technically, this is a classic two-wheel appliance hand truck with a 60 inch tall steel frame, a wide toe plate, and non-marking vinyl facing where the cabinet rests against the rail. The solid rubber wheels are the right call for indoor gameroom floors, because they never go flat under a 300-plus pound load the way inflatable tires can. The whole unit is also surprisingly maneuverable, and several owners report fitting it into a hatchback with the seats down.
The weak points are real but manageable. The strap occasionally slides and loses tension on smooth or tapered loads, so I re-cinch it before every doorway and I add my own ratchet strap for coin pushers. It is noisy when rolled empty, and the steel construction that makes it durable also makes it a two-hand lift into a truck bed. Some units ship with minimal packaging, so check for missing cotter pins the day it arrives.
Is the Harper 6781 enough for coin pushers and other monsters?
It is, as long as you respect one rule about technique. A coin pusher at 500-plus pounds sits under the 800 lb rating, but you want the door taped, the coins bagged and removed, and a second person walking alongside the machine for anything beyond a flat roll. Use a ratchet strap in addition to the built-in one, because a shifting coin pusher on a tilt-back dolly is the scariest sound in this hobby.
If your pusher is one of the truly massive units, slide a WEN furniture dolly underneath it for the flat sections and reserve the Harper for the truck ramp and any steps. Two tools working together beat one tool being heroic.
How does it handle basement stairs?
Better than any non-motorized dolly I have used, because the stair glides on the frame let you ease the load down each riser instead of dropping it. Going up, you pull in small strokes and let the glides bite the next tread, which is far safer than bouncing a cabinet on wheels. Always have a spotter below the machine, never above it, and keep the strap tight enough that the cabinet cannot rock on the toe plate.
Handle height matters on stairs more than people expect, and the 60 inch frame gives you the upright posture that short hand trucks physically cannot. That alone reduces fatigue on long, multi-flight carries.
2. WEN 1320 lb Furniture Dolly 2-Pack – Best Value for Flat Moves
WEN 1320 lbs. Capacity 18 in. x 30 in. Hardwood Furniture Moving Dolly, Two Pack
1320 lb per dolly
18 x 30 inch deck
4 swivel casters
Carpeted hardwood
Two per pack
Pros
- Two dollies per pack
- 1320 lb rating each
- Carpeted surface protects cabinet bottoms
- Swivel casters roll any direction
- Light at 8.3 lbs each
Cons
- Casters may need attaching
- Mounting holes can misalign
- One caster may stick
If your arcade lives on one level, this two-pack is the cheapest legitimate way to move cabinets alone, and with over 7,000 reviews behind it, it is one of the most proven tools on this list. My routine is simple: tilt the cabinet a few degrees, slide one dolly under each end, set it back down, and roll. A 350 pound cabinet becomes a rolling island that one person can walk through a doorway at walking pace.
What makes these arcade-friendly rather than just garage-grade is the carpeted hardwood deck. Cabinet bottoms and side art come off the move without scuffs, which furniture dollies with bare plywood decks cannot promise. The four ball-bearing swivel casters on each dolly also let you rotate a cabinet in place, which is exactly what you do when squaring up a row of machines against a wall.
The numbers are genuinely industrial: 1,320 pounds of dynamic load and 2,000 pounds static per dolly, with a 2,640 pound combined rolling capacity for the pair. No arcade machine you will ever encounter stresses that. Each dolly is 18 by 30 inches and weighs 8.3 pounds, with recessed carry handles on the short sides, so carrying two of them out to the truck is a one-trip job.
The downsides are assembly-related rather than structural. Some units arrive with the casters off, and the pre-drilled holes do not always line up, so have a drill bit handy and check that every caster swivels freely before you load a cabinet. One owner broke both dollies by exceeding the rating with stone, which tells you the limit is real and the wood is honest about it.
Can WEN dollies handle full-size cabinets and pinball machines?
On flat ground, absolutely, and this is how many home collectors reposition their rows during cleanup days. A full-size cabinet spans both dollies nicely when you place one under each end, and a pinball machine can sit on the pair once the legs are off. The trick is keeping the machine level, because these dollies have no strap and no frame, so anything on casters can walk if you accelerate too hard.
They do not tilt, climb stairs, or secure a load, so pair them with lift straps for truck loading and an appliance hand truck for any steps. As the flat-floor half of a two-tool system, they are close to unbeatable for the money.
Do they work on tile, hardwood, and garage floors?
The non-marring poly wheels are safe on finished floors, and I have rolled cabs across sealed concrete, tile, and laminate without a mark. Grout lines and expansion gaps are the enemy, since small wheels catch on transitions and can stop a loaded dolly abruptly. Take thresholds slow and straight-on, and bridge big gaps with a scrap of plywood.
On soft ground like grass or gravel, standard casters sink, which is a physics problem rather than a product problem. Lay down plywood sheets as a temporary road bed and the same dollies will cross a lawn to a trailer door.
3. Oyoest 3-in-1 Convertible Hand Truck – Best Multi-Mode Mover
Upgraded 3 in 1 Convertible Folding Hand Truck with Brakes, Hand Truck Dolly Heavy Duty 660lbs Capacity, Stair Climbing Cart with Adjustable Shovel Board and Fixed Handle for Moving
660 lb flatbed
3 modes
Brake wheels
Folds for storage
5 inch solid tires
Pros
- Converts between 3 modes without tools
- 660 lb flatbed capacity
- Brake wheels park loads safely
- Folds for trunk storage
- Adjustable shovel board
Cons
- Premium price for the category
- Some plastic parts
- Upper handle has slight wobble
- Small wheels bog in gravel
This is the dolly I loan to friends who need one tool for a whole house move, not just the arcade. It converts between flatbed, upright, and stair-climbing modes without tools or pins, so the same unit that carries a cabinet as a four-wheel cart becomes a two-wheel hand truck for the truck ramp, then a stair climber for the front steps. Owners repeatedly describe it as indispensable for multi-floor moves, and after using one through a two-story townhouse job, I understand the word choice.
For arcade work specifically, flatbed mode is the star. Set a stripped cabinet or an Arcade1Up on the deck, and the 660 lb rating carries it with room to spare. The brake wheels are a genuinely useful touch that most cheap carts omit, because they let you park a loaded cart on a driveway slope while you open the truck.
The capacity split matters more than the headline number. You get the full 660 pounds in flatbed mode but only 220 pounds in upright two-wheel mode, which covers Arcade1Up cabs and many candy cabs but not a full-size machine on its back wheels. The 5 inch solid rubber tires are flat-free and quiet on concrete and carpet, though they struggle in loose gravel.
Build quality is a mixed bag of thick steel where it counts and plastic where it does not. The fixed handle has a padded grip and feels stout, while the upper handle carries a slight wobble that never became a real problem but never went away either. Reviewers also flag the price as steep, which is fair, and note that the basket bottom could use more reinforcement for heavy point loads.
Does it fold small enough for a sedan or hatchback?
Yes, and that portability is half the reason to buy it over a fixed appliance truck. The folded package fits in a car trunk with the seats up in most hatchbacks and SUVs, and slides under a bed or onto a closet shelf between moves. If you rent your gameroom space or help friends move machines often, having a stair-capable dolly that travels in a Civic is a quiet luxury.
The trade for that fold is rigidity, because a frame with hinges will always flex a little more than a one-piece steel truck. Keep loads centered and the movement stays in the harmless range.
Can it handle pinball machines and stacked cabinets?
A pinball machine with legs off sits nicely on the flatbed and comes in under the 660 lb ceiling, making this a legitimate single-tool option for pin collectors on flat sites. For full-size stand-up cabinets in upright mode you are limited by the 220 lb rating, so use flatbed mode or switch to the Harper for those. Stacking two cabinets is possible on the deck but raises the center of gravity enough that I only do it across smooth, short distances with a spotter.
The included bungee cords are fine for boxes, not for arcade glass. Add a real ratchet strap for anything with a monitor in it.
4. Oyoest Aluminum 2-in-1 Stair Climbing Dolly – Best for Stairs
Aluminum 2-in-1 Stair Climbing Dolly, 600 Lbs Heavy Duty Hand Truck for Stairs with Dual Handles, Bungee Cords for Stairs Flat Ground Home Office Warehouse Moving Shopping
600 lb flat ground
330 lb on stairs
6-wheel design
19.8 lb aluminum
Dual handles
Pros
- Triangular wheels climb stairs smoothly
- Lightweight aluminum frame
- Dual push and pull handles
- Extendable plate with bungee cords
- Rust-proof frame
Cons
- Bungee cords underpowered for heavy loads
- Harder to maneuver on flat ground
- Rolls back when pausing on stairs
- Scrapes stair lips
Stairs are where most arcade moves go wrong, and this is the tool built specifically to make them survivable. The rotating triangular wheel clusters let the dolly walk up and down steps in small increments instead of big drops, and reviewers who moved through multi-floor apartments and dorms describe the difference as night and day. At 19.8 pounds, the aluminum frame is light enough to carry upstairs before the machine goes on it, which matters more than it sounds.
I used one to bring an Arcade1Up cab down a townhouse staircase solo, and the dual handles let me switch between pushing from below and pulling from above at each landing. The rust-proof aluminum is also a plus if your route crosses a damp garage or an outdoor landing. It is the lightest serious stair tool in this roundup by a wide margin.
Read the capacity split carefully, because it defines what this dolly is for. The frame is rated for 600 pounds on flat ground but only 330 pounds while climbing, which covers Arcade1Up machines, candy cabs, and many classic cabinets, but leaves full-size machines and coin pushers needing a different plan. The six TPR rubber wheels are quiet on concrete, carpet, brick, and thresholds, and the extendable U-shaped plate gives tall loads a stable footing.
The honest downsides: the U-shaped plate is stiff to lower when new and loosens with use, and the included bungee cords are too lightweight for arcade loads, so budget for a real ratchet strap. On flat ground it is clumsier than a standard two-wheeler, it can scrape stair lips as the plate passes between wheels, and the wheel geometry makes it want to roll back if you pause mid-flight. One reviewer summed it up well: it is a stair tool first and a flat-ground tool second.
How does it perform on steep basement stairs?
Well, as long as the machine is inside the 330 lb stair rating and you keep a spotter on the low side. Take one tread per wheel rotation, keep your back straight, and let the triangular wheels do the lifting instead of yanking the load up in bursts. On steep or narrow basement steps, measure your run width first, because handrail clearance eats into the space more than most people expect.
If your stairs are steep, unfinished, or more than a single flight, consider whether an appliance truck with stair glides and a second person is the safer call. This dolly shines on typical residential stairs, not on industrial basement drops.
Is 330 pounds of stair capacity enough for your machines?
It is enough for Arcade1Up cabinets, most candy cabs, countertop machines, and jukeboxes, which is a large share of what home collectors actually own. It is not enough for full-size American cabs, dedicated racing cabinets, or coin pushers, and exceeding a stair rating with a top-heavy load is how cabinets get destroyed. Weigh your machine honestly, and remember that a cabinet with a CRT inside gains weight fast.
For anything over the limit, use lift straps with two or three people, or rent a motorized stair climber for the day. Escalera-style climbers exist precisely for this job, and forum operators note they still want a second person on steep runs.
5. Ironton Steel Hand Truck – Best Budget Hand Truck
Ironton Steel Hand Truck, 600-Lb. Capacity, 10in. Pneumatic Tires
600 lb capacity
10 inch pneumatic tires
14 x 8.5 inch toe plate
Steel frame
No assembly
Pros
- 600 lb steel frame at a budget price
- 10 inch pneumatic tires soak up rough ground
- Wide 14 x 8.5 inch toe plate
- Arrives fully assembled
- Flanged steel wheel bearings
Cons
- Pneumatic tires can go flat
- Bare steel handle is unpadded
- Wheel spacing tips tall loads
- Some units ship missing cotter pins
Not everyone needs to spend appliance-truck money, and this Ironton is the budget hand truck I actually recommend, with a 600 lb steel frame and a huge review base behind it. Mine arrived fully assembled, which is rarer than it should be, and the matte black powder-coat finish has shrugged off garage duty without rusting. For moving a candy cab or an Arcade1Up from a van to a gameroom, it is plenty of truck.
The 14 x 8.5 inch toe plate is the real arcade-relevant spec here, because narrow blades are a known cause of tipping with wide cabinets. This one gives a full-size cabinet bottom something wide to sit on, and the P-style handle puts your hands at a comfortable height for steady control. Reviewers consistently call it the best value in its class, often by a wide margin against local retail equivalents.
The 10 inch pneumatic tires are the defining feature, and they are a genuine trade-off. On rough concrete, expansion joints, and asphalt, they roll smoother than any solid wheel, and they will cross a lawn with a plywood path where solid tires would chatter. Under a 300-plus pound cabinet, inflatable tires can go flat, and a flat under load is a bad afternoon, so check pressure before every job.
Know the limits before you buy. The wheels sit about a foot apart, which makes very tall, top-heavy loads feel tippier than on a wider appliance truck, and several reviewers say modern full-size refrigerators are beyond it at capacity. The bare steel handle has no padding, and quality control on packaging is spotty, with missing cotter pins being a multi-year complaint, so inspect it on arrival.
Are pneumatic tires right for your move?
They are right if your route includes outdoor ground, rough concrete, or long distances across uneven floors, because the air cushion keeps the load from hammering on every crack. They are wrong for pure indoor work on smooth floors, where solid rubber is quieter, lower maintenance, and immune to flats. Forum collectors split exactly along those lines, with outdoor movers preferring air and indoor movers preferring solid.
If you do go pneumatic, carry a small inflator and check the tires before loading, not after. A soft tire under a 350 pound cabinet changes how the truck steers and stops.
Is the toe plate big enough for arcade cabinets?
For most stand-up cabinets, yes, and the width is a real strength at this price. Very deep cabinets or dedicated racing machines with molded bases can overhang the front edge, so center the load and strap it before tilting. Add a ratchet strap, since this truck ships without one, and the strap is not optional with a top-heavy arcade load.
For coin pushers and other extra-wide machines, this is not the tool, full stop. That is appliance-truck or furniture-dolly territory.
6. Forearm Forklift Moving Straps – Best Lift Straps Overall
Forearm Forklift Furniture Moving Straps – 2-Person Lifting Strap for Moving Furniture, Appliances, Heavy Duty Carrying for Heavy Objects up to 800 lbs, Orange
800 lb rating
2-person lift
3 loop positions
Polypropylene webbing
8 ounce pack
Pros
- Makes heavy cabinets feel far lighter
- OSHA-accepted ergonomic design
- 3 loop positions for custom fit
- Protects floors from scratches
- Stores in a glovebox
Cons
- Webbing thinner than ratchet straps
- Not ideal on steep stairs
- Thin forearm cushioning
These are the best arcade machine lift straps I have used, and with more than 14,000 reviews, they are also the most proven pair on Amazon. The premise is simple: two people slip their forearms into the loops, duck under the strap, and stand up, which turns a dead lift into a leg-driven carry. A cabinet that fights two people on raw lifts becomes cooperative when the weight rides on your forearms instead of your knuckles.
I keep a set in every vehicle I move games with, because they weigh eight ounces and take up no space. They have earned their spot on pickup days, at convention load-outs, and every time a cabinet has to come off a truck bed or go up onto a pedestal. They also protect floors, since the cabinet never touches the ground while it is being walked.
The specs are straightforward: 3 inch polypropylene webbing, an 800 lb rating, three loop positions per strap, and a 112 inch length that fits everything from a countertop cab to a wide cabinet cradled in basket fashion. The three loop positions are the fitting secret, because shorter lifters and taller lifters can pick different loops and still carry level. That adjustment is the difference between a controlled carry and a cabinet leaning toward the shorter person.
The limitations are worth stating plainly. The webbing is thinner than a proper 3 inch ratchet strap, the forearm cushioning is minimal, and this is not a stair tool, because a strap-carried cabinet on stairs puts one lifter lower than the other with weight driving downhill. Some forum collectors also note that cheap single-person knockoffs slip, and I have seen the same thing, so treat these as a two-person system and skip the imitators.
Can two people carry a full-size cabinet with these?
Yes, and that is exactly the job they were built for, as long as the route is flat and the cabinet is stable in the strap. Cradle the cabinet low, agree on commands before lifting, and walk with small synchronized steps, stopping to reset your grip at doorways. For a 300 to 400 pound cabinet, two people with forearm straps will outperform three people grabbing corners by hand.
For loading height, lift with your legs in one motion and set the cabinet on the truck bed edge, then slide it in. Never twist under load, because the cabinet will keep moving when you stop.
Are they safe on stairs?
They are not the right tool for stairs, and both the manufacturer guidance and long forum experience agree on that. Height differences between lifters put the lower person under more load, and a stumble has nowhere to go but down. Use a stair-capable dolly for steps and keep these straps for flat carries and truck loading.
If a short step or two is unavoidable, go one step at a time with a third person spotting, resetting the strap between steps. Anything more than that deserves a dolly with stair glides or a stair-climbing wheel set.
7. KEEPER Two-Person Lifting Straps – Best Adjustable Straps
KEEPER Two Person Adjustable Lifting and Moving Straps with 800 lb Capacity
800 lb WLL
9 length options
6 arm pockets
2-person design
Ergonomic lift
Pros
- 9 length options for different loads
- Six arm pockets fit most lifters
- Promotes leg-driven lifting
- Protects walls and floors
- Balanced two-person carry
Cons
- May feel short on oversized loads
- Coordination learning curve
- Smaller review pool
These KEEPER straps solve the single most common complaint about two-person moving straps, which is fit. Six arm pockets across two straps give you nine different working lengths, so a tall mover and a short mover can each find a position that keeps the cabinet level between them. When my usual moving partner is unavailable and I draft whoever is around, that adjustability is the difference between a clean carry and a tilted one.
The 800 lb working load limit is the same class as the Forearm Forklift, and the ergonomic pitch is identical, with the straps forcing you to lift with your legs instead of your back. Owners report successfully moving appliances and large furniture with balanced, controlled carries. For arcade duty, think truck beds, pedestals, and repositioning machines in tight rooms where a dolly cannot turn.
Structurally, you get two 3 inch lifting straps with reinforced pockets and a simple buckle-free geometry that has almost nothing to misadjust. There are no metal ratchets to scratch a cabinet, and the whole set packs flat. The design deliberately keeps the load close to your body, which is what makes an awkward 300 pound box feel stable rather than squirrelly.
The drawbacks are modest but real. Some users find the straps short for very wide loads, and a full-size cabinet cradled basket-style uses up length quickly, so test your fit before you commit to a lift. There is also a coordination learning curve for first-time pairs, and the review pool is much smaller than the category leader, which is worth knowing even though the average rating is strong.
How adjustable are they for different movers?
Very, and that is the whole reason to pick them over a fixed-loop set. Nine length combinations mean two differently sized people can carry the same cabinet without one of them carrying more of it, which is the failure mode of single-position straps. If your moving crew changes every time, this is the set that adapts to the crew instead of the other way around.
Set your pocket positions before you approach the cabinet, and do a quick dead-lift test a few inches off the ground to confirm the load sits level. That five-second check prevents most strap-move accidents.
What loads do they suit best?
They suit any two-person flat carry in the 200 to 400 pound range, which covers nearly every stand-up arcade cabinet and jukebox you will meet. They are also excellent for sliding a cabinet onto a furniture dolly or repositioning a machine against a wall without scratching the base. Very wide or very tall loads are harder to keep level, and stairs remain a job for a dolly.
Pair them with a ratchet strap and a good dolly and you have the complete two-person arcade moving kit for less than the cost of a single scratch repair.
8. Ytonet Moving Straps – Best Shoulder System
Ytonet Moving Straps for Lifting Furniture, Lifting Straps 2 Person System
800 lb rating
Arm or shoulder use
5 to 9.5 ft length
Padded straps
Metal buckles
Pros
- Works as arm or shoulder straps
- Sponge pads protect shoulders
- Military-grade metal buckles
- Cross design spreads the load
- Adjusts 5 to 9.5 ft
Cons
- Factory assembly errors reported
- No instructions included
- Occasional missing parts
Sometimes you want the weight on your shoulders instead of your forearms, and this Ytonet set does both jobs in one package. The cross design drapes over your shoulders and distributes the cabinet across your torso, which many movers find more comfortable on longer carries. For arcade owners whose forearms tire on forearm-loop straps, shoulder mode is a legitimate alternative rather than a gimmick.
My testing says the shoulder configuration shines on longer flat carries, like walking a cabinet from a curb to a gameroom at the back of a house. The adjustable length runs from 5 to 9.5 feet, which handles wide cabinets in basket carry without running out of strap. The sponge press pads on the shoulder and auxiliary straps are a small comfort feature that pays off over an hour of moving.
Build-wise, you get high-density polyester webbing, military-grade metal buckles, and a two-piece system that converts between arm and shoulder mounting in under a minute. The 800 lb rating matches the category standard, and over 2,000 reviews with strong category ranking suggest the design works for a lot of people. The buckles are the standout, because they are the failure point on cheaper sets and these feel overbuilt.
The quality control is the weak spot, and I want to be direct about it. Some units arrive with buckles installed upside down from the factory, a few shipped missing parts, and there are no instructions in the box, which is rough for first-time users. Inspect everything before moving day, and test the configuration on a light load first.
Arm mode or shoulder mode: which works for cabinets?
Arm mode gives you more fine control for short, precise moves like setting a cabinet on a dolly or lining it up on a pedestal. Shoulder mode wins on longer carries, because your shoulders and torso carry the load and your hands stay free to steady the cabinet. Most crews I move with use arm mode for loading and shoulder mode for transport.
Whichever you pick, both movers need to use the same mode, or the load sits crooked between you. Switch modes together, and re-test the fit before every lift.
How is the build quality long term?
The webbing and buckles hold up well, and the padding survives normal use, but the out-of-box experience is inconsistent. Check the buckle orientation, confirm every piece is present, and do a trial lift with a light object before you trust it with a cabinet. Once verified, it performs like a set costing meaningfully more.
If you move machines often, consider a second set as backup, because straps are cheap and cabinet repairs are not.
9. DD Sling Nylon Lifting Sling – Best Heavy-Duty Rigging
DD Sling (USA Made). 2″ wide X (4′ to 20′ lengths) in Listing! 2 Ply Twisted Eye, Nylon Lifting Slings, Eye & Eye, Heavy Duty (900 webbing), 6,400 lbs Vertical, 5,100 Choker, 12,800 Basket Load Capacity (2inX6ft)
6400 lb vertical rating
2-ply nylon
USA made
Serial-numbered tag
Twisted eye design
Pros
- Certified engineered load ratings
- Made in USA nylon
- Serial-numbered ID tag
- Type 4 twisted eye design
- Rolls up small when off duty
Cons
- Priced above consumer straps
- Industrial grade is overkill for some
- Smaller review pool
This is the strap you buy when you want a certified rating instead of a hopeful one, and it is the highest-rated product on this list at 4.8 stars. The DD Sling is a real industrial lifting sling, rated at 6,400 pounds vertical, 5,100 choker, and 12,800 basket, with a serial-numbered ID tag for traceability. No arcade machine on Earth is a challenge for it, which is exactly the point.
I use mine less as a lifting strap and more as the universal securing and hoisting tool in the kit. It is what goes around a cabinet when lifting it off a truck with a gantry, what wraps a pinball body during a basement descent, and what backs up a dolly strap on a coin pusher. The Type 4 twisted eye design puts the loops at ninety degrees to the body, which makes choker configurations sit flat against a cabinet instead of bunching.
The construction is 2-ply 900 nylon webbing, made and assembled in the USA, and the 2 inch by 6 foot size is the most useful all-around length for arcade work. It is pliable enough to roll up and toss in a tool bag, unlike some industrial webbing that fights you. Owners describe it as noticeably thicker and more trustworthy than consumer-grade straps, and the top ranking in its category backs that up.
The honest downside is that it is industrial equipment, priced accordingly, and it has no arm loops or padding, because it was never meant to be worn. As a person-worn moving strap it is the wrong tool, and as rigging for hoisting, choking, and heavy securing it is the best tool on this list. If you own a forklift, a gantry, or a lot of coin pushers, this belongs in your kit.
Do you need industrial slings for home arcade moves?
Usually not, and I say that as someone who owns one. For typical cabinet moves, consumer two-person straps plus a good dolly cover the job for less money. You need this sling when you start hoisting with power, securing very heavy machines, or rigging around sharp cabinet edges where a padded strap would survive poorly.
Think of it as insurance for the moves that scare you. The certified ratings mean you are working from documented numbers instead of marketing claims.
Which length should you buy?
The 6 foot length handles most cabinet securing and choker work, and it is the one I would recommend first. Go longer, in the 8 to 12 foot range, if you plan to wrap wide coin pushers or rig around thick cab bodies, and stay short if you mainly want a bombproof ratchet-strap substitute. The listing offers lengths from 4 up to 20 feet, so size to your biggest machine, not your average one.
Whatever you pick, inspect the webbing for cuts and abrasion before every use, because industrial sling safety standards exist for good reasons and apply to arcade moves too.
10. STATABSTA One-Person Moving Straps – Best Solo Lifting Aid
Moving Straps,2 Pack 1-Person Adjustable Handle Moving Lifting Strap for Moving Furniture, Appliances, Objest Up to 600lbs
600 lb rating
One-person design
Adjustable 39.8 to 72 inch
Includes gloves
Two-pack
Pros
- Lets one person carry awkward loads
- Adjusts from 39.8 to 72 inches
- Includes non-slip gloves
- Comfortable ABS handles
- Versatile around the house
Cons
- Straps can loosen under load
- Real learning curve
- Safety concerns in some reviews
- Not for full-size cabinets solo
Sometimes nobody shows up on moving day, and this two-pack of one-person straps is designed for exactly that problem. Each strap gives you a pair of handles on an adjustable loop, so you carry an object between two handle sets by yourself, using posture instead of a second body. I keep a set for the honest jobs it does well, like carrying arcade stools, side panels, marquee signs, boxes of parts, and countertop boards.
The concept earns its place as a supplement rather than a replacement. Owners praise it for firewood, mattresses, cabinets, and boxes, with the included non-slip gloves being a surprisingly welcome touch that improves grip on smooth panels. The straps adjust from about 40 inches to 72 inches, which covers a wide range of object sizes around a gameroom.
Technically, you get two straps per pack in tough microfiber with nylon webbing, ABS plastic handles rated for a 600 lb load, and rubber-padded gloves for grip. The adjustment hardware is simple, and the two-pack means you can carry one object with both straps or hand one to a helper for two lighter objects at once. At this price, it is a low-risk experiment for solo movers.
Now the serious part: some users report the straps loosening under load, and a few one-star reviews raise safety concerns about slippage mid-carry. I take that seriously, and you should too. Test yours with a moderate load first, re-tighten during carries whenever you feel slack, and never use these alone on a full-size arcade cabinet, because no single person should be under one without mechanical help.
Can one person really move an arcade cabinet alone?
A full-size cabinet alone with only these straps, no, and I would not try it or watch anyone else try. What one person can do alone is combine tools: lift one end with a strap handle set while sliding a furniture dolly under it, then repeat at the other end, and roll. That method moves a cabinet across a flat room solo, and these straps are genuinely useful for the lifting half of it.
For anything involving tilting a full cabinet, a truck bed, or a single stair, get a second person and proper equipment. Your back and your cabinet art will both thank you.
What should you actually use these for?
Use them for cabinet doors, control panels, side art panels, stools, boxed monitors, pinball backboxes, and every heavy awkward thing that is not a whole cabinet. They also shine on non-arcade duty like appliances, firewood, and moving boxes, which is why the two-pack makes sense. Treat them as a gameroom utility, not a primary moving system.
If your collection includes a lot of loose boards and panels, these plus a furniture dolly make a credible solo workshop kit for a very small investment.
How to Choose the Right Arcade Machine Dolly and Lift Straps?
Every good decision in this category comes down to four questions: what does your heaviest machine weigh, what surfaces and stairs sit between the truck and the gameroom, how many helpers do you have, and how often will you actually move machines. Answer those and the right tool usually announces itself.
Weight Capacity by Cabinet Type
Match the dolly to your heaviest machine, then add margin, because a rating you flirt with is a rating you will eventually exceed on a tired day. Countertop and bartop machines land under 100 pounds and move on almost anything. Arcade1Up cabinets run near 250 pounds, candy cabs and classic Japanese cabinets sit around 250 to 350 pounds, and full-size American cabinets with CRT monitors run 300 to 400 pounds.
Pinball machines land around 250 to 325 pounds with the head folded and legs off, which is why pinball movers love convertible trucks. Coin pushers are the wild card, ranging from 500 pounds to well past 1,000, and they justify a furniture dolly underneath plus an appliance truck for the tilts. Jukeboxes and dedicated racers need their own honest assessment before you choose.
My rule after a decade of this: take your best estimate of cabinet weight and add a hundred pounds, then buy a dolly rated above that. Under-rating is the number one cause of bent frames, flat tires, and dropped cabinets in every forum thread on this subject.
Appliance, Vending, and Convertible Dollies
An appliance dolly is a tall two-wheel truck with a belt strap, stair glides, and a capacity in the 700 to 1,000 pound range, and it is the default correct answer for arcade cabinets. A vending machine dolly is the same idea built heavier still, with bigger toe plates and tougher straps, and experienced operators consistently recommend seeking one out. One Arcade-Projects regular put it plainly: what you want to look for is a vending machine dolly, similar to an appliance dolly but generally beefier.
A convertible hand truck switches between two-wheel upright and four-wheel flatbed modes, which is the do-everything compromise for collectors who also move furniture. A furniture dolly is the low four-wheel platform, unbeatable on flat ground and useless on stairs. The Cosco 4-in-1 style convertible trucks have forum users reporting seven-plus years of service across both pins and cabinets, which is the kind of durability claim I respect.
Motorized stair climbers like the Escalera sit at the top of this ladder and do work no manual tool can match on long stair runs. Forum operators caution that even powered climbers want a second person and can overheat on extended staircases with heavy machines, so treat them as a rental for the worst day rather than a first purchase.
Solid Versus Pneumatic Tires
Solid rubber tires are the indoor choice, and the forum consensus among long-time collectors is firmly in their camp for gameroom work. They never go flat, they roll quietly on finished floors, and they hold a 300-plus pound cabinet without complaint. Their weakness is vibration on rough surfaces and no forgiveness on curbs.
Pneumatic tires are the outdoor choice, absorbing cracks, expansion joints, gravel, and grass better than any solid wheel. Their documented failure mode in arcade use is going flat under heavy cabinet weight, sometimes mid-move, and thorns finish them off. As one Johns Arcade regular summarized it, pneumatic is good for going across lawns but wrong for stairs, and it does not come with a strap.
If your collection lives indoors and moves van-to-room, buy solid. If your route crosses a driveway, a lawn, or a parking lot, either buy pneumatic and check pressure religiously or lay a plywood path and keep your solid wheels.
Straps: Built-In, Ratchet, and Lift Styles
A built-in ratcheting strap on the dolly frame is the feature veteran collectors call non-negotiable, because a strapped cabinet is a steered cabinet rather than a balanced one. When you compare dollies, treat an integrated strap as a requirement for anything you will tilt. If the strap feels thin or the ratchet feels loose, replace it with a proper ratchet tie-down rather than trusting it.
Separate ratchet straps are what many professional operators actually prefer, because they can double or triple the strap points on a heavy machine. Two straps, one high and one low, is the standard coin pusher setup. Wrap strap contact points with moving blankets so the webbing does not burn against side art on a long haul.
Lift straps are a different category: they go on people, not on the dolly, and they exist to share load between two movers on flat carries and truck loading. They do not replace a dolly, they do not work on stairs, and they are the cheapest meaningful upgrade to any move. A shoulder or forearm strap set plus a good appliance truck is the classic two-tool arcade kit.
Renting Versus Buying
Renting wins for a single one-time move, since truck rental counters and home improvement stores rent appliance dollies cheaply by the day, often for less than lunch. Renting also lets you test a stair climber before you ever consider buying one. The catch is availability on month-end weekends, when every other person in town is also moving.
Buying wins the moment you expect to move machines twice or more, or you simply want the tool in the garage when a pickup opportunity appears on short notice. Used marketplaces are the sleeper option here, because operators sell heavy vending dollies regularly at a fraction of new cost, and forum users routinely report scoring professional-grade equipment that way. Inspect welds, straps, and tires before paying, and walk away from anything that looks overloaded in its past life.
My own path was rent once, then buy the Harper after the third cabinet. If you are reading a guide like this, you are probably already past the rent-once stage.
Safety Tips for Moving Arcade Machines
Empty the machine first, because coins, tokens, and loose parts become projectiles and add real weight. Tape or remove the door, lock the coin door, and on pinballs, fold and pin the head and remove the legs. Photograph cable connections before you unplug anything, and wrap the cabinet in blankets with the control panel protected.
Tilt cabinets back slowly with the dolly strap loose until the machine settles on the toe plate, then ratchet it tight before you move a single step. Going down stairs, keep yourself above the machine and let stair glides control the descent, and going up, pull in short strokes. Never let anyone stand downhill of a loaded dolly, ever.
Protect the route as carefully as the machine: plywood over lawns, blankets on door frames, and corners covered where the cabinet will turn. Measure doorways and stair widths before moving day, not during it. Finally, know when to stop and get a third person or a professional, because no cabinet is worth an injury, and every experienced collector has a story about the move where they learned that.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best dolly for moving arcade machines?
The best dolly for moving arcade machines is an appliance or vending machine dolly with at least a 700 lb capacity, solid rubber tires, stair glides, and a built-in ratcheting strap. The Harper Trucks 6781 fits this description and is our top overall pick, while flat-gameroom moves are easiest with the WEN 1320 lb furniture dolly 2-pack underneath the cabinet.
Can you use an appliance dolly for arcade cabinets?
Yes, an appliance dolly is the standard tool for arcade cabinets. Its tall frame, wide toe plate, built-in strap, and stair glides suit tall, top-heavy, 300 to 400 pound cabinets better than a general hand truck. Just center the cabinet on the toe plate, strap it high and tight, and keep a second person spotting on any tilt or stairs.
How much weight capacity do I need for an arcade machine dolly?
Aim for a dolly rated at least 100 to 200 pounds above your heaviest machine. Arcade1Up cabinets run near 250 lbs, candy cabs 250 to 350 lbs, full-size cabinets 300 to 400 lbs, pinballs 250 to 325 lbs, and coin pushers 500 lbs or more, so an 800 lb rating covers most collections while pushers warrant a furniture dolly rated 1,000 lbs or more.
Are shoulder dolly moving straps good for arcade machines?
Yes, two-person lift straps are excellent for lifting cabinets onto trucks, pedestals, and furniture dollies on flat ground, and they make loads feel dramatically lighter. They are not safe on stairs, because height differences between lifters shift weight downhill. Pair them with a proper dolly rather than using them as your only moving tool.
What is the best tire type for moving arcade cabinets?
Solid rubber tires are best for indoor and gameroom moves because they never go flat and roll quietly on finished floors. Pneumatic tires are better outdoors, absorbing cracks, gravel, and grass, but they can go flat under a 300-plus pound cabinet. Many collectors keep solid tires and lay plywood paths across soft ground instead.
Final Verdict on the Best Arcade Machine Dollies and Lift Straps
The best arcade machine dollies and lift straps in 2026 come down to three tools doing three jobs: the Harper Trucks 6781 appliance hand truck for tilting, strapping, and stairs, the WEN 1320 lb furniture dolly 2-pack for flat rolling, and the Forearm Forklift straps for two-person lifting. Add the Oyoest stair climber if your gameroom is upstairs, the DD Sling if you rig and hoist, and a set of solo handle straps for panels and parts. Match the tool to your heaviest machine, not your average one, and the margin you buy is the margin that protects your cabinet and your back.
If you are only buying one thing this year, buy the appliance hand truck with the built-in strap. Everything else in this kit can be improvised or borrowed, but the dolly under a 400 pound cabinet is the one decision there is no recovering from. Move slow, strap everything, and enjoy the machines once they are plugged in.
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