Crane machines have been the epitome of reliability for the best part of a century. Ian Donegan asks why.
IT is difficult to think of a single machine that is more at home in any kind of amusement site than the veteran crane. They can be installed in arcades, restaurants, FECs, malls, cinemas and theme parks with the peace of mind that they will draw customers. Few machines are quite as self-explanatory; they are so straightforward a child could use them and they do - in their millions.
A line of 10ft tall versions can act as the centrepiece of a large arcade and a small prize-every-time unit can add some entertainment in the lobby of a laser tag arena, bringing in revenue while customers wait for their turn.
