A professional white powdercoated, all-metal tabletop claw skill crane that fits on any counter — built to pull a crowd and hand out your branded gifts at events, trade shows and parties. Full metal body, top-of-the-line claw mechanism, integrated sound and lockable money drawer, with a built-in coin acceptor that detects Euros, Dollars and other coins. Run it free-play as a giveaway or set it to paid mode and let it pay for itself; owner’s menu lets you dial in the exact payout ratio.
The full-featured claw machine that fits on any counter or tabletop — built to pull a crowd, hand out your gifts, and pay for itself.
No-one can keep their hands off a claw machine. It’s instinct, it’s magnetic — you just have to try it one time (and then a few more). This professional countertop skill crane brings that universal pull to your stand, bar or reception desk in a footprint that sits on any table. Easy to operate with the joystick and large push button, it carries all the professional features needed to draw visitors in and hand out branded gifts or promotional items.
Inside the full metal powdercoated body sits a top-of-the-line claw and roller mechanism, a built-in coin acceptor comparator, a lockable metal money drawer with key, and an integrated sound system that plays different tunes. An optional LED topper that changes light gently finishes the look. White is our most popular colour for this machine.
Why it works on the floor
The attraction of the skill crane is universal, and that’s exactly what makes it such a strong event asset. It stops foot traffic, holds people at your stand for the length of a few attempts, and turns waiting time into engagement. Load the prize bin with branded merchandise or promotional items and every grab becomes a reason to linger, talk to your team, and walk away holding something with your name on it — the kind of moment people photograph and share. Buy it once and it works trade shows, expos, festivals and parties again and again.
You set the payout — or make money
An extensive hidden owners menu puts the game in your hands. Set gameplay to easy and let players walk away with more prizes for a giveaway moment, or lower the win rate and claw voltage to earn more on every coin. The full-featured, computer-controlled coin acceptor automatically detects Euros, Dollars and other coins — drop a coin of choice into the built-in analyser and the machine learns the rest. Run it free-play for a frictionless giveaway, or switch to paid mode, plug in, and start collecting coins as the machine pays for itself over and over. At home it doubles as the perfect piggy bank.
Also known as a tabletop claw machine, countertop skill crane or portable claw arcade. Ships with an EU-style C-14 power cord and runs on 110V or 220/240V.
Available as options: the LED topper, stainless steel game coins, and a ready-to-play pack with 50 brand-new metal game coins plus 20 handmade, size-matched stuffed toys so you can start playing right out of the box.
Claw machine appearances may differ on the outside. While your claw machine may look different on the outside it likely has the same controls and parts as described in this manual.
The skill-crane (claw / grab crane) machine is a game of dexterity: the player moves the claw with the joystick, drops it to grab a prize, and the claw returns the prize to the collection chute. This manual covers safe use, set-up, operation, the coin acceptor, the full settings menu and the essential claw-rope maintenance.
Caution: never leave the machine running unattended, and never run it for more than 10 hours continuously. After a maximum of 10 hours, switch it off (unplugged) for at least one hour.
Disclaimer
Made for Arcade makes no representations or warranties with respect to this manual and, to the maximum extent permitted by law, expressly limits its liability for any failure to conform to any warranty resulting from the replacement of this manual with another. In addition, Made for Arcade reserves the right to revise this publication at any time without obligation to notify any person of the revision.
The information in this documentation contains general descriptions and/or technical characteristics of the performance of the machine mentioned in this documentation. This documentation is not intended as a substitute for, and should not be used to determine, the suitability or reliability of this machine for specific user applications.
It is the duty of such user or system integrator to carry out — in relation to the relevant specific application or use of the product — an adequate and complete risk analysis, evaluation and testing of the products.
Please note: all images used in this manual are for illustrative purposes only and may differ from the actual product. This is because the colours, dimensions and other properties of the actual product may differ from the image.
Made for Arcade and/or its affiliates or subsidiaries are not responsible or liable for any misuse of the information contained in this document. If you have any suggestions for improvements or changes, or have found any errors in this documentation, please let us know.
All relevant national, regional and local safety regulations must be followed when installing and using this machine. For safety reasons and to ensure compliance with the documented system data, the components may only be repaired by the manufacturer.
If machines are used for applications with technical safety regulations, the relevant instructions must be observed. Failure to observe this information may result in personal injury and/or damage to the machine.
This machine is intended for entertainment purposes only. It is not intended for use for profit, for the wagering or payout of money, or for gambling or games of chance. Made for Arcade makes no representation or warranty that the use, installation or operation of this machine is permitted or lawful in any particular region, country, jurisdiction or venue. It is the sole responsibility of the buyer and/or end-user to ensure that their use of the machine complies with all applicable laws, regulations and licensing or permit requirements (including any gambling, gaming or amusement regulations).
This is the English user manual (or an automatic translation thereof). Manuals in other languages may be available on request.
Power supply and surge protection
Arcade and entertainment machines are computer-controlled and contain sensitive electronics. Mains power at events, venues and even ordinary outlets is frequently unstable or “dirty” — voltage spikes, surges, sags and brown-outs, flicker, overloaded or shared circuits, generators, long extension runs and the switching of nearby equipment can all push the supply outside the machine’s safe operating range.
You must always connect the machine through a good-quality surge protector, and — wherever the supply is unreliable or the machine must not lose power unexpectedly — through an uninterruptible power supply (UPS). These sensitive machines cannot tolerate power spikes, surges, brown-outs or sudden cut-offs.
Damage, data loss or malfunction caused by power-supply problems is not covered by warranty. Failure to use adequate power protection can lead to machine malfunction and, in some cases, a risk of fire or bodily harm. If you are unsure about your power supply, consult a qualified electrician before use.
Support and service
For more information, service, technical support, ordering user manuals, or for any other questions, please contact: Made for Arcade Besterdstraat 9a, 5051HH Goirle, The Netherlands Email: [email protected] · Web: madeforarcade.com
Machine description
The grab crane is intended for use as entertainment in the home and is not designed for commercial use. The minimum age for use is 12 years; underage players should only use the machine under the direct supervision of an adult. The game is based on the player’s dexterity as well as the type of objects placed in the machine for the claw to grasp. The player can also influence the game by enabling and disabling various options in the user menu.
Model variant.
Model variant.
Intended use
The grab crane is intended for use as entertainment in the home environment and is not designed or intended for commercial use. The minimum age for using the machine is twelve years. Underage players should only use the machine under the supervision of an adult.
Unpacking and preparation
Follow the unpacking instructions carefully to avoid damage to the machine. Preferably use side cutters or nail scissors to cut the drawstrings — they sit in hard-to-reach places, so make sure machine parts cannot move while cutting the ties and that electrical cables are not accidentally cut. Remove the keys from the joystick. Open the main access door and carefully cut the 4 to 6 cable ties that hold the running gear in place. Do not use straight knives or saws — use sharp side cutters or a hook knife.
Remove the keys from the joystick.
Cut only the cable ties holding the running gear — never the wiring.
Commissioning
The grab crane operates on 220 volts / 50 hertz. Inspect the outside and inside of the machine and the power cord for defects or damage — open all panels and doors and pay particular attention to damage or loose connections of electrical wiring and components. Do not connect the machine if the machine, wiring, components or connection cable are damaged. Close all doors and panels and lock them with the enclosed keys. After checking, insert the supplied connection cable into the back of the machine and plug into a proper socket, then turn on the switch at the back. The machine starts up automatically; the claw may move to the zero point at the front-left.
Operation of the machine
Push the joystick in a direction and the gripper follows along the X axis (left–right) or Y axis (front–back); release the joystick and the gripper stops. Operate the large push button and the gripper drops down and performs a squeezing movement. If an object is under the gripper it may be picked up and brought back to the starting point (front-left), where the claw opens and drops any item into a compartment for the player to collect. The machine can be set at various points in the user menu to increase or decrease the chance of successfully returning an object.
Taking the machine out of service
Turn off the switch on the back of the machine and remove the plug from the socket so that the power supply is completely interrupted. Do not leave the machine unattended while it is connected to the power supply.
Coin acceptor training
The coin acceptor is either empty or has already been trained for Made for Arcade coins. If it is empty and the machine is not set to free play, a sample coin must first be placed in the coin acceptor: push the “replace coin” slider up in the direction of the “remove backward” arrow and place a coin under the slider (see images). When a coin is inserted, the acceptor compares it with the sample coin; if they match, the coin is sent to the cash drawer and a credit is added on the display. Only insert coins with a diameter of 18 to 25 mm and a thickness of 1.6 to 2 mm.
The coin acceptor.
Push the slider up and place a sample coin under it.
Periodic maintenance
Follow the periodic maintenance instructions carefully to prevent damage to the machine. Pay particular attention to periodically unrolling the claw rope — failure to follow this claw-rope procedure can lead to the motor seizing, smoke formation or overheating of the motors and electronics. Jamming of mechanisms is not covered by the warranty. Service the machine every 4 hours of use, or at least once a week for light use.
Visual inspection of cabling and mechanisms
Check all internal parts for damage, breakage and abnormal behaviour. The unpredictable movement of the mechanisms combined with the unpredictability of the player can cause the claw or prizes to get stuck, or to inadvertently pull on cables and mechanisms.
Claw-rope procedure
This procedure prevents jamming of rollers, pulleys and motors, burning out of motors or smoke formation, and must be followed strictly. While the machine is played, the rope is rolled up and unwound repeatedly, so it can cross itself and tighten until everything jams. Go through this procedure regularly — at least once every 4 playing hours and once a week:
Make sure the claw is in the rest position (above the prize tunnel, front-left).
Go to menu option “G” and choose “GO DOWN”, then press the large play button. The claw goes down and the rope fully unwinds, then winds up again (in the wrong order) until the claw is back up and the machine stops.
Go to menu option “G” and choose “GO UP”, then press the large play button. The rope fully unwinds and then winds up again (in the correct order) until the claw is back up and the machine stops.
Check that the rope unwinds and rewinds smoothly and quickly; repeat several times if necessary. If the rope runs stiffly the motor is overloaded and will eventually fail — stop the procedure and first solve the problem causing the rope to run stiffly.
The rope winch and pulley.
Coiled rope on the spool.
Coiled rope and fully uncoiled rope — unroll it regularly (menu G) so it cannot tangle and seize the motor.
Menu settings — parameter list
The grab crane contains an extensive user menu to fully personalise the machine. To access it, open the door with the coin acceptor using the key, then press the “secret” menu button while the machine is on — the button is in a panel behind the coin acceptor, near the red illuminated on/off switch. A main menu appears on the display. Use the joystick up and down to move through the main menu and sub-menus, left and right to change menu options, and press the large “start” button to confirm selections.
Menu option A — basic set
A1: number of coins needed to play one game. A2: time a player is allowed per game / per coin amount (A1). A3: volume of the background music and winner tunes. A4: do not use — always leave at “F”. A5: do not use — always leave at “F”. A6: whether the claw can also grab the air when pressing the start button again while moving. A7: prize-sensor detection — Off = the infrared lock in the prize bin is disabled; On = the infrared lock counts the number of prizes won and can give a winner tune when a prize falls. A8: shaking during movement — ON = the claw shakes while raising a prize (less chance of winning); OFF = no shocks during transport to the winners box. A9: F2P (free to play) — OFF = insert coins to play; ON = play for free without inserting coins. A10: language setting. A11: music / tune while playing (choice 0 to 5). A12: background music / tune in idle mode (choice 0 to 5). A13: not used. A14: return to the main menu.
Menu option B — probability settings
B1: price ratio — the ratio between the number of games played and the number of prizes paid out. Set the ratio lower to pay out more prizes, or higher to make it harder to win. A ratio of 5 means a prize can be paid out every 5 games; the other 4 times the claw is a bit weaker, making it more likely to lose the prize. B2: do not use (Retan). B3: do not use — leave at “F” (random mode). B4: whether the player can play again if no prize was won / number of prizes per session. B5: back to the main menu.
Menu option C — parameter
C1: clamping force of the claw — do not exceed 38 volts. The higher the voltage, the more clamping force and the better prizes are grasped. C2: the time in seconds that clamping force C1 is maintained. C3: clamping force of the claw after period C2 has expired — do not exceed 38 volts. The lower the voltage, the greater the chance the claw drops the prize during transport. C4: clamping force during movements. C5: intelligence mode — M (manual): the machine follows the settings as set in the menu (preferred); A (automatic): the machine automatically weakens the claw force based on where the claw is. C6: length of the rope — height of the claw above the table; a smaller number means the claw won’t go down as far. C7: speed of the carriage front and back. C8: speed of the carriage left and right. C9: speed of the claw down and up. C10: pause while grabbing a prize at the lowest position (a longer pause gives a better grip). C11: distance from the claw to the carriage in rest position — a larger number makes the claw wobble more during transport. C12, C13: (not specified). C14: back to the main menu.
Menu option D — accounts
D1: total number of online coins (app — not in use). D2: total number of coins inserted. D3: total number of coins in this session. D4: total number of prizes in this session. D5: total general number of coins received. D6: total general prizes paid out (the sensor must be on to measure). D7: back to the main menu.
Menu option E — date clear
E1: reset the date. E2: back to the main menu.
Menu option F — reset
F1: factory reset — all values return to factory settings. F2: back to the main menu.
Menu option G
Options to move the machine in different directions via manual control. Used to test things and to go through the claw-rope procedure (above).
Menu option H, I, J — factory test
Settings to test the operation of the machine. These options are not suitable for end users and are used by the supplier and the factory, so they are not explained further here.
Menu option K — quit
K: exit all menus / return to the game menu.
Frequently asked questions
Can I turn off the music completely? Some large grab-crane models have a switch inside to turn the sound off completely; the small grab cranes cannot be switched off completely — set the volume to 1 and the background music to 0.
Can the machine be set to “play for free”? Yes — set menu option A9 to “ON”.
My grab crane looks different — do I have the correct manual? All Made for Arcade grab cranes to date use the same controller, so this manual applies. Minor differences in the naming of menu options are possible due to version differences.
The claw goes down very slowly — what can I do? The rope may have crossed while the claw was pulled up. Set the rope length at menu option C6 to an extremely long value and let the claw move up and down a few times by playing; if necessary, gently help by pulling the rope down by hand until it runs smoothly again.
Precautionary measures
Supervise the machine at all times with a competent adult who can intervene.
Never run it more than 10 hours continuously; rest it at least one hour (unplugged) afterwards.
Run the claw-rope procedure on schedule to avoid seizing or overheating the motor.
Switch off and unplug before any maintenance to avoid electric shock or short circuit.
Do not disassemble, alter or modify the machine without our permission.
Festivals & public events, In-house promotions, Parties & celebrations, Roadshows
Features
Coin/token operated
Contains
≈300 prizes
Reference
MFA-tabletop-skill-crane-white
Specifications may vary or change over time. Verify all specifications prior to purchase. No rights can be derived from this information.
Questions
Can it be branded with our design?
Yes — most machines can be branded by our design department per your specifications. Simply send your artwork and our team will go to work for you, delivering a turn-key custom-branded solution.
Do you provide warranty on your machines?
Absolutely! Each machine comes standard with a 1-year full service and parts warranty at any of our service centers, no questions asked. You can extend warranty to a full 2 years by clicking the option box above (highly recommended). See our T&C for details.
Do you ship to my country?
Yes — for sales we ship worldwide; for rentals we prefer to limit shipping to Western Europe. And if you have your own carrier account (FedEx, DHL, etc.) you can always arrange to have your order picked up from our service centers.
How are products packed?
For trucking, train or air cargo, crating is needed — check the option box above to add the custom wooden protective crating the carrier requires. If you arrange your own pickup, crating is optional and may save you the cost of having a custom frame built.
Can you pre-load our prizes, tokens or content?
Yes — we can pre-load prizes, capsules, tokens or your own media so the machine arrives play-ready for your event.
Is it plug-and-play, or do we need a technician?
Most machines arrive pre-programmed and plug-and-play; setup takes minutes. For live events you can opt to have tech support as back-up per WhatsApp if you ever need a hand — see our service contract for expedited on-call assistance.
