Short answer: treat maintenance as income protection. A well-kept pinball machine earns reliably; a neglected one just eats coins. Target uptime ≥95%, MTTR ≤6 hours, and a small, predictable parts inventory - that's how you keep machines profitable.
Daily (3–5 minutes / machine)
- Power & boot: confirm attract mode, marquee lights, and no error LEDs.
- Quick play test: 1–2 short balls to verify flipper response, ball save, and no stuck switches.
- Clean & clear: wipe glass and controls; clear coin chute and ticket box.
- Log issue: record time, machine ID, symptom (photo/video if possible).
Weekly (15–30 minutes / machine)
- Inspect rubbers and plastics: replace if ≥50% worn; don't wait for breaks.
- Run test mode: check switch matrix, lamps, coils, and counters; fix or flag anomalies.
- Coin & bill validators: clean sensors, pulse-test acceptance.
- Fasteners & legs: tighten mounting bolts and check level.
Monthly (1–2 hours / machine)
- Deep clean playfield (remove glass, wipe, check plastics); replace dirty balls.
- Re-seat connectors on driver and power boards; inspect for heat damage or bulging caps.
- Replace dim bulbs/LEDs and weak speakers.
- Replenish spare parts to minimum stock levels.
Quarterly (technician)
- Calibrate flipper strength, tilt sensitivity, and ball-save timers; backup config files.
- Test coil currents and replace worn coils or linkages.
- Analyze logs: identify recurring faults and order parts proactively.
Annual (service vendor)
- Full teardown inspection, playfield touch-up/polish, and professional electrical check.
- Firmware audit and controlled updates only with vendor approval.
- Review SLA and spare-part consumption for the coming year.
Essential spare parts & tools (per 10 machines)
- Rubbers 200 pcs, balls 30 pcs, fuses 50 pcs, bulbs/LED strips 40 pcs, spare coils 10 pcs.
- Tools: multimeter, coil puller, screw set, contact cleaner, cable ties, basic solder kit.
SLA & KPIs (practical)
- Uptime target: ≥95%.
- MTTR (mean time to repair): ≤6 hours for in-house fixes; next-business-day for vendor escalations.
- Monthly failure rate: aim <3% machines with critical faults.
- Weekly log compliance: 100% of incidents recorded within 1 hour.
Final blunt advice
Maintenance isn't busywork - it's the difference between a pinball machine that pays and one that drains you. Schedule simple daily checks, keep consumables in stock, and measure uptime. Do that and your floor becomes an asset, not a liability.
