Loading an old Coke Machine

[theredfro]

Thanks for all the suggestions!  We've got straps and we'll get some plywood, blankets, and cardboard.  A friend of a relative's parents got divorced and she wants to throw the thing away, so I said I'd take it. 

All I know about the machine is it's really old, doesn't work properly right now, and has a round top.  I'll post pics once I get it home.

[Slapshot42]

[

All I know about the machine is it's really old, doesn't work properly right now, and has a round top.  I'll post pics once I get it home.
[/quote]

Watch the Newbie picks up a Vendo 81, or. VMC 81!

Pictures are a must!  Hopefully  luck will be on your side and you pick up a beauty your first time out!

[mygoose101]

It's amazing how strong I sometimes got when picking up a machine. Back in the day before Internet or ebay when ads where in paper with no pictures. I would go to someones house and see a near perfect 81 or 72 and all I want to do is get it out of there asap. I can remember walking a machine though back yards, up or down stairs to my truck sitting in their driveway and doing it alone. It was truly mind over matter. Now everything has pictures so it kinda takes some of the fun out of it.

[aspbear]

I also have loaded many machines by myself.  I use a two wheeler to get it to the back of the truck and use two pieces of 3 inch pvc pipe about 4 ft. long.  Tip the machine onto the tailgate and place one pipe in the opening between the tailgate and bed.  Tip the machine over and slide it onto the pipe and then put the other piece of  pipe under the back and just roll the machine into the bed.  A strap to hold in place and you are gone in 60 seconds....

[theredfro]

We got the machine home, though it was definitely at least a 2 man job.  It's a VMC A340 (or 340A).  My research on this machine shows that it's about 600 pounds.   

So it turns out that what I did know about the machine was all wrong...  It's a square top (rounded edges, though), and whether it works or not is unknown.  I'm still in the 24 hour waiting period.  I love the machine.  It looks awesome, though I will clean it up and maybe find some parts for it.  It could use some body work, but I'm probably not qualified to do that.

And, as promised, here are some pics:

[theredfro]

Also, I have a silly question...  How do I open this thing?  It looks like the place you'd expect to find a lock is empty.  Is there some trick, or a specific tool I need?

I've been googling all day and can't figure it out.  The manual for this model continues to elude me.

Here's a pic:

[collecture]

The big machines need love too! That is definately a two man machine! It is a VMC-340A (automatic).
Glad you like it as that is all that really matters!
Use a Allen wrench to open - 3/8" probably.
I can see about scanning a manual.

[mygoose101]

What are your plans for the machine? Are you looking to use it? How much did it cost?

[halehouse]

That's a round top.
Did you have to take it out of or put it into a basement?

[theredfro]

The big machines need love too! That is definately a two man machine! It is a VMC-340A (automatic).
Glad you like it as that is all that really matters!
Use a Allen wrench to open - 3/8" probably.
I can see about scanning a manual.

That worked, and I'm in!  I found 3 really old Coke bottles (2 still full), a bunch of new bottle caps, and 55 cents.  I would really appreciate it if you could get me a copy of the manual.  Being a newb I want to make sure I don't do something stupid.

What are your plans for the machine? Are you looking to use it? How much did it cost?

I'm planning on putting it in my man cave (once that's built).  Not sure if I can use it or not.  I'll have to see if it takes IBC or Stuart's bottles.  But I think it just looks cool - nice and retro.  I finally turned it on today and it seems like it might work.  I'm guessing I should clean it up a little before really testing it out.  It cost me... $31 in gas, minus the 55 cents I found in it.

That's a round top.
Did you have to take it out of or put it into a basement?

Guess I'm not clear on square top/round top yet.  And yes, I removed my back door and put it into my basement.  I think it will stay there for quite some time...