Owning a jukebox is a fun way to bring more music into your life, but moving one is a delicate operation. Can you transport a jukebox on its back? You wouldn’t want to damage all the recorded inside since they won’t play correctly if scratched or chipped. Even CDs will take damage if they fall all over the inside of a more modern cabinet. To keep your music collection safe, you’ll need to be careful. Luckily, it’s not difficult to remove things from inside a jukebox. Although upright transport is recommended, you can tilt your jukebox onto its back. That said, most jukeboxes have glass fronts. Moreover, they tend to have hollow glass or plastic cabinet details on the sides and front. Don’t place a jukebox face down or on a side for moving. Some older styles might tolerate side travel, but it’s better to avoid unnecessary risks.
Can you transport a jukebox on its back? You can transport a jukebox on its back. It is essential to remove the records or CDs before you lay your jukebox down. So long as you pack it properly to prevent shifting and breakage, you can have transport your jukebox either on its back or standing up. Also, always use proper padding and tie-downs to prevent it from shifting in transit.
How Do You Transport A Jukebox- Typical Way?
Typically, jukeboxes are transported standing up by professional movers, especially when they are antiques. Although you can transport a jukebox on its back, it is better to avoid laying it down whenever possible. I will walk you through the general steps so you can move your own jukebox.
- Locate original documents from the factory whenever possible to detail the proper transportation method for your model. Sadly, this isn’t always possible, but it can help.
- Open and remove any parts you can. This includes records or CDs and any other easy to remove parts.
- Pack these parts securely and separately using appropriate padding to avoid damage in transit.
- If your machine has an arm for records, tape it in place. I suggest using an easy to remove tape and wrapping it gently in a foam-paper first to prevent free swinging during your move.
- Remove any coins if your machine is coin operated. Doing this will reduce weight and prevent damage from bouncing change during transit.
- Optional- Fill the glass case that usually holds the records or disks with bubble wrap or soft foam, not packing peanuts or paper.
- Close it up and lock the doors. If you cannot lock the doors, then tape them securely.
- Place cardboard over any glass parts and tape this in place to prevent scratches and help with vibration.
- Get a heavy-duty dolly and ramp. Most jukeboxes are quite heavy, and you do not want to lift them if you can avoid doing so.
- Strap the jukebox to the dolly. If necessary, use padding such as a folded blanket to disburse pressure along the length of the rope or bungees to alleviate excess pressure and prevent rubbing. This step is crucial with vintage jukeboxes.
- Load your jukebox into a truck or onto a flatbed. If you are using a truck (preferable), consider padding a corner with pillows and setting it against two inner walls. When using a flatbed, make sure to secure with tie-downs. Use the same folded blanket trick to disburse pressure.
- After loading, you can wrap the jukebox in moving blankets and wrap it with plastic wrap to help further minimize vibration and keep everything in good condition. Do this before tie-downs or final placement within a truck.
- On arrival, unwrap the blankets to avoid confusion about where the breakable glass is located.
- Place your jukebox and return all the parts you removed in step two.
- Plugin and play a song to test that everything is still in working order.
Pro-Tip: If you hire movers, ask them to blanket wrap only after the jukebox is loaded. This will prevent avoidable accidents that involve forgetting where the various glass parts are located. Even pros don’t deal with very many jukeboxes because there are few in circulation.
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How To Move A Jukebox Upstairs
There are two simple ways to move a jukebox upstairs, and neither of them involves transporting it on its back. First, you can do this manually if you have assistance and proper equipment. Second, you can use a climbing dolly, if necessary, but this is likely to be more jarring for the jukebox.
A climbing dolly has three wheels on either side in a series that rotates. Using this, you can climb stairs while pulling a heavy load behind you. As the dolly moves, the tri-wheel design will climb with you and help avoid some of the bumping and danger of using a standard dolly.
However, if you have a light enough jukebox and a strong enough assistant, carrying a wrapped jukebox is often the smarter method. To do this, follow the first eight steps on the list above, and then wrap in blankets and plastic cling wrap to secure the jukebox. You will need a moving strap as well.
Both carriers should secure the moving strap to their bodies. Next, you gently tilt back the jukebox and slide the strap halfway underneath while crouched down. Then set the jukebox upright again.
Lift with your knees, holding the front and back of the jukebox. The strap beneath will help distribute the weight evenly between the two carriers. Finally, proceed upstairs slowly and carefully.
How Much Does A Jukebox Weigh
Whether you transport a jukebox upright or on its back, they are traditionally quite heavy. Between the glass, bubble tubes, and machinery, jukeboxes can weigh several hundred pounds. Lighter models that play Bluetooth or CDs are available, but classic, vintage models are hefty.
An average dome-topped jukebox weighs around a hundred twenty kgs or about two-hundred sixty-four pounds. Depending on size, make, and model, yours could weigh over three hundred pounds. Particularly with records still inside, they tend to be heavier.
The Classic Auna Graceland Jukebox from Amazon weighs in at fifty-five point nine pounds. You’ll love the 1950s charm and modern functionality. With a USB port, MP3-compatible CD player, and an SD slot, you can play songs from any era you like. Plus, you get a Bluetooth interface so you can play songs right from your tablet or smartphone. Learn more about the Auna Graceland by clicking here.
How To Move A Seeburg Jukebox
Do not transport a Seeburg-style jukebox on its back. It is crucial to prevent damage to the internal mechanism on these beautiful vintage machines. If you are lucky enough to have the original manual for the machine, you can reverse engineer the ‘unblocking’ section to secure the mechanism in place. I will describe the process briefly below.
Everything else about moving these lovely machines is like other jukeboxes. This method is for securing the carriage in a model that plays eight tracks. However, since these machines range from the 1940s on, you may encounter different internal components befitting the era of your jukebox.
The carriage bolt holes are accessible inside the cashbox. You will need a pair of appropriately long carriage bolts to lock the carriage in place. Doing this prevents it from moving in transit. On arrival, you will need to remove these to get the machine to play again.
How To Prepare A Jukebox For Shipping
You cannot always move a jukebox yourself, even if it can travel on its back. To secure your jukebox for shipping, you will go through a similar process to that of moving. Removing internal parts like records and emptying the change out first is standard.
It helps to tape the key to the locks on the side of your jukebox. You can also tape it to the cardboard you place over the glass, so long as it is secure. The biggest difference when shipping is that you may need to place your jukebox in a box of its own.
The advantage of this is that you can pack all the parts together and choose your own box and packing materials. Choose heavy-duty cardboard or a wooden shipping container. Ensure that you provide it with enough packing material to prevent shifting and secure your package closed with appropriate warning labels.
For a real blast from the past, try the Crosley Slimline Full Size CD Jukebox. This outstanding, timeless jukebox has percolating backlit bubble tubes. Hand built in the UK, Crosley can hold up to eighty CDs or stream Bluetooth music. You’ll appreciate the chrome accents and speaker grill. Best of all, there are external speaker jacks for even better sound options. Have Amazon deliver to your door by clicking here.
Final Thoughts
Whether you own n old-school five and dime diner or need it for your game room at home, a jukebox is a beautiful way to bring music into your life. Since you can transport a jukebox on its back, it’s easier to move. Take the time to remove all the records or CDs inside and pack them properly.
Since most jukeboxes have glass windows and details, it is vital to wrap your jukebox in padding. Unless you are transporting it upright in a truck bed with tie-downs, you risk sliding or objects bumping it as you move. A layer of moving blankets, bubble wrap, or even pillows will keep your music machine safe.
Remember not to lay your jukebox on its side or from if it has glass or decorative details. Fortunately, it takes more time and energy to pack up the music inside than it does to move your jukebox safely.