Pipeline Games Alpaca Mini with Box Crane

A bill acceptor mounted at standing height. A prize box riding the top of a 76-inch tower. Sixteen inches of playfield.

Overview

The Pipeline Games Alpaca Prize Mini Crane is a 16-inch commercial crane machine built on a resin-style cabinet with a DBA positioned at standing height and a prize box mounted on top. At 76 inches tall and 14 inches wide, it delivers a full commercial feature set — coin mech, secure cashbox hasps, and the same mainboard used in Pipeline Games full-size units — in a footprint narrow enough for tight placements. The production playfield runs 8 inches deeper than the pre-production prototype shown in the manufacturer's photos.

Key Features

Standing-Height Bill Acceptor

The DBA is mounted at a normal upright position on this cabinet, placing the bill slot at a comfortable height for customers. On most compact cranes the acceptor sits low on the cabinet, requiring players to crouch. The Alpaca Prize keeps the full transaction interaction at eye-and-hand level.

Resin-Style Cabinet Construction

The cabinet is molded from a resin-style material Pipeline Games describes as comparable in toughness to Little Tikes outdoor products. The material resists cracking and denting under the normal abuse of commercial route placement, and the cabinet base is bottom-weighted for stability without anchoring hardware.

Full-Size Mainboard in a Compact Cabinet

Pipeline Games installs the same mainboard used across their full-size crane lineup into the Alpaca Prize. This means the claw strength settings, play configuration options, and diagnostic behavior operators already know from larger Pipeline Games units carry over directly to this machine.

Top Prize Box

A prize box is mounted on top of the 76-inch tower and is included with the machine. The elevated box adds a visible second prize display above the main playfield window, extending the machine's visible height and giving operators a dedicated space for featured or higher-value prizes separate from the main bin.

Secure Hasps and Spare Claw

Cashbox and cabinet access points are secured with hasps rather than light-duty cam locks common on smaller cranes. The machine also ships with one extra claw, so operators have an immediate replacement on hand without a parts order.

How It Plays

The player uses the joystick to position the 16-inch claw over the prize bin, then drops it into a playfield that runs 21 inches deep in the production version — noticeably deeper than the pre-production unit shown in promotional photos. From the side, the full-height tower and lit prize box on top are visible well before a player reaches the machine, making the unit readable as a crane cabinet even in a crowded placement.

Specifications

Why Operators Love It

14-Inch Width Opens Placement Options

At 14 inches wide, the Alpaca Prize fits locations where a standard crane cabinet cannot: end-of-row gaps, counter edges, narrow storefront alcoves, and low-traffic route stops with limited floor space. The 76-inch height stays within standard drop-ceiling clearance for most commercial interiors.

Hasp-Secured Cabinet Reduces Tamper Risk

The cashbox and cabinet doors are secured with hasps rather than the lighter cam locks found on import mini cranes. Hasps accept padlocks, giving route operators the option to use their own keyed or combination locks across multiple units on a route.

Shared Mainboard Reduces Parts Inventory

The Alpaca Prize runs the same mainboard as Pipeline Games full-size cranes. Operators already running Pipeline Games equipment carry one set of board spares that covers both cabinet sizes, rather than stocking a separate part number for the mini unit.

Spare Claw Ships With the Machine

A replacement claw is included in the box at delivery. On a route placement, a worn or bent claw can be swapped during the same service visit without waiting on a parts shipment — the spare is already on the truck.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the assembled footprint of the Alpaca Prize Mini Crane?

The Alpaca Prize measures 14 inches wide, 21 inches deep, and 76 inches tall. That footprint is substantially narrower than a standard full-size crane cabinet, making it suitable for tight wall slots and counter-adjacent placements.

Does the Alpaca Prize Mini Crane include a coin mechanism?

Yes, a coin mechanism is included with the machine. Pipeline Games also offers a DBA (dollar bill acceptor) and CC reader as optional add-ons — contact Pipeline Games directly for pricing on those components.

Is the Alpaca Prize Mini Crane built for commercial route use?

Yes. The cabinet is molded from a resin-style material rated for commercial durability, the base is bottom-weighted for freestanding stability, and the mainboard is the same unit used in Pipeline Games full-size commercial cranes. It is not a consumer-grade or toy-grade machine.

What is included with the Alpaca Prize Mini Crane?

The machine ships with a coin mechanism, one spare claw, secure hasps on the cabinet access points, and a top-mounted prize box. A DBA and CC reader are available separately.

Ideal Placement

The Alpaca Prize Mini Crane is sized for locations where a full-size crane cabinet does not fit: convenience stores, laundromats, pizzeria lobbies, restaurant waiting areas, and small-footprint route stops. Its 14-inch width also suits end-cap or entry positions in bowling center arcades, hotel game rooms, and mini-golf clubhouses where floor space along the wall is limited.

Shipping & Setup

We offer flexible freight delivery options, including curbside and lift-gate services. Shipping costs and timing are calculated at checkout based on your location and requirements.

Warranty & Support

Your purchase includes a standard manufacturer warranty and access to technical support to ensure long-term performance and uptime.

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