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Starting a vending machine business can be a very lucrative and rewarding venture. But before diving into the world of vending machine businesses though, it's important to familiarize yourself with everything you need to operate and maintain your machines effectively.
Having the proper equipment is essential for not only optimizing profits but also for maintaining your equipment and keeping customers satisfied.
In this article, we’re going to cover the most important pieces of equipment you’ll need to succeed as a vending machine business owner.
The 10 most important pieces of equipment you'll need for your vending machine business are:
A hand truck is by far the most essential piece of equipment for your vending machine business. You’ll be using your hand truck every time you visit a location to restock your machines. As such, it's crucial to invest in a high-quality hand truck that is durable, reliable, and easy to maneuver.
When selecting a hand truck, consider one with a convertible design. Convertible hand trucks allow you to effortlessly transform them into a cart, making it easier to transport soda, snacks, and other inventory to and from your vending machines. This versatile feature streamlines the process of restocking your machines, reducing time spent on each stop along your route.
Additionally, when choosing your hand truck, prioritize models with sturdy construction and reliable wheels. A high-quality hand truck will not only last longer but also make your job safer and more efficient. Look for features such as puncture-resistant tires and robust materials to ensure the hand truck can withstand heavy loads and daily usage.
If you’re interested in reading more, we have a more indepth article on hand trucks, which you can find here
There are a lot of good hand trucks out there, but this has been our go-to:
Not only is it extremely reliable, but it is extremely affordable as well.
You can buy it here.
As a vending machine business owner, you'll need a proper storage system for your inventory. You’ll be bringing a lot of snacks and beverages into establishments, so having good product storage is essential.
Some vendors will just bring entire boxes of product into establishments. We’re not a fan of this for 2 reasons:
You’re much better off putting your product into storage bins and carrying them into establishments that way. This is known as Pre-Kitting.
When Pre-kitting, you want to use durable bins that can store a lot of product. Construction and industrial tote bins work great for this.
These are the bins we recommend using. They are durable, secure, and have a high capacity.
You can find them here: https://amzn.to/48YFaIf
Chocolate can be a challenging product to manage in your vending machine business. You need to take extra measures to ensure proper temperature control.
If conditions are too hot, the chocolate will melt.
But if it’s too cold, the chocolate will end up getting the Bloom. Most customers will give you a problem if they see this, so you want to avoid it at all costs.
The best way to enforce temperature control when dealing with chocolate is to use a cooler. Storing a chocolate this way will reduce exposure to hot and cold temperatures.
This is the type of cooler we recommend:
You can find it here: https://amzn.to/3Sa7roi
If you’re doing a full route that has you working full time hours (about 8 hours a day), you should also consider getting a bigger cooler to keep your chocolate in while you travel from location to location.
We recommend something like this:
You can find it here: https://amzn.to/3OcBUkJ
Basic hand tools, such as screwdrivers, wrenches, and pliers, are a must-carry for any vending machine operator.
During your work in the vending machine business, you will occasionally run into occasions where you will need to do some physical work on the machine. This can involve anything from tightening a few screws to having to completely remove & replace parts. The good news is that most repairs are small and you will rarely need to do anything more complicated than tightening a few nuts & bolts.
Carrying a small toolbox with you when servicing your machines will allow you to do minor repairs as needed, preventing possible downtime and lost revenue.
This is the toolset we recommend. It has everything you’ll need to keep your machines in good shape while also being extremely portable.
Buy it here: https://amzn.to/4apQoX9
In your vending machine business, having a spare coin mech is essential. Most machine errors with not accepting coins & cash are attributed to a coin mech that needs servicing. When facing such issues, a spare coin mech offers a quick solution by allowing you to replace the problematic coin mech until it gets fixed.
Coin mechs are responsible for validating and directing coins into the appropriate change tubes within the vending machine. They are subjected to constant use, which means dirt and grime can accumulate on the coin tracks, leading to jams or improper functioning. Having a spare coinmech ensures that your business won't suffer from extended downtime due to malfunctioning equipment.
You can find a spare coinmech at your local vending machine warehouse. You can also find good deals for coinmechs from other vendors on sites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
This is not something we recommend purchasing online unless you have complete trust in the website you’re buying from. You will need to look over the mechanism and make sure it’s in working order before making a purchase, and buying online prevents you from doing this successfully.
When starting your vending machine business, one essential equipment you need is money bags. These bags play a crucial role in keeping your cash and coins organized, secure, and easy to transport between machines and your cash storage location.
Why Money Bags are Essential
As a vending machine business owner, you will be frequently handling cash and coins collected from your machines. It can become cumbersome and time-consuming to carry loose change without proper organization. Money bags help you streamline and simplify this process. They come in different types and sizes, allowing you to choose the ones that suit your needs best.
Selecting Appropriate Money Bags
Here are some factors to consider when selecting money bags for your vending machine business:
If you’re starting out, we recommend using money bags such as this:
You can purchase these money bags here: https://amzn.to/4akKw1f
As your vending machine business continues to grow and you secure bigger locations, you should absolutely be using money bags with a lock.
We recommend something like this:
These bags are VERY secure and durable. Great for storing significant amounts of cash and coins.
You can find these bags here: https://amzn.to/3Tjflwd
In the vending machine business, it's essential to have a garbage bag on hand. This is because, as you maintain and restock your vending machines, you'll encounter stales - products that are past their "best before" date.
Stale products should never be left for customers to purchase, as it can tarnish your business's reputation and even lead to potential health issues for the consumer.
While cleaning and restocking your machines, keep a garbage bag with you to collect these outdated items. This will help keep your vending machines clean and ensure that customers are only purchasing fresh, high-quality products. Additionally, proper disposal of stales can help you maintain a healthy inventory turnover, keeping your stock at the optimal level.
You can find appropriate garbage bags at pretty much every hardware or department store. Alternatively, Amazon has a 50 pack of reliable garbage bags that you can find here: https://amzn.to/3PnOHBj
Regular maintenance of your vending machine business equipment is essential to ensure smooth operation and a longer lifespan. One crucial aspect of maintenance is lubrication. Lubricants help reduce friction and wear on various moving parts, from hinges to glass fronts. Though the motors of a vending machine itself have enough lubricant and should not be touched, other parts of the machine need occasional attention. In this section, we will discuss two common lubricants suitable for vending machine maintenance: WD-40 and Food Grade Silicone Spray.
WD-40 is a well-known, versatile lubricant that can help maintain your vending machine equipment. It serves multiple purposes, such as cleaning, protecting, and lubricating various parts. When using WD-40, be sure to apply it sparingly and only on the components that require lubrication, keeping in mind the following points:
We recommend using WD-40 to lubricate the parts of your machine that do not necessarily come into contact with products. Some parts include the cage of your drink machine, hinges on the front, etc.
We do NOT recommend using it on any electrical parts such as the motherboard or keypad. Doing this can and will cause damage to your machine.
You can find WD-40 at your local Wal-Mart or Hardware store.
Alternatively, you can buy it online at Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3IHrfve
For areas of the vending machine that come into contact with food or consumable products, using a food grade silicone spray is essential. This lubricant is non-toxic, odorless, and safe for use on equipment that handles food items. Some key considerations and benefits of using a food grade silicone spray include:
Another essential application for lubricant is in glass front drink machines that use a robot arm to retrieve drinks for paying customers. While they can be very aesthetic and versatile, they do have a reputation for having drinks getting stuck in the glass. Spraying the glass with food grade silicone spray will reduce the rate at which this happens.
This is the Food Grade Silicone Spray for vending machines that we recommend:
You can buy it here: https://amzn.to/48XLjnt
By regularly maintaining your vending machine equipment and using the appropriate lubricants, you can ensure a longer-lasting and more efficient operation.
Cleaning supplies are an essential thing to have with you as a vendor. A clean vending machine is not only more likely to attract more sales, but will also help you maintain a good reputation with establishment owners.
Vending Machines that are not regularly cleaned also run into problems of their own, such as:
You should be carrying a box of cleaning supplies with you whenever you’re visiting a location.
Some of the supplies you should always be carrying include:
You can find all of these equipment at your local hardware or department store. Alternatively, you can visit the Amazon links we’ve included above if you prefer shopping online. The products we have included are all products that we either use ourselves or would have used.
A small vacuum cleaner is important to have in your vending machine business. While it will help with keeping your Vending Machines clean, the real reason to have a vacuum cleaner is to reduce the risk of damage to your equipment.
An excessive amount of dust and dirt can cause damage to the motherboard of your machines which can lead to a shorter life expectancy.
Additionally, it can cause the compressors of your drink machines to blow. We’ve spent over $3000 in repairing compressors that have blown from excessive dust, so we cannot recommend getting a vacuum cleaner enough.
Look for a hand vacuum cleaner that’s cordless and rechargeable. Since you’re moving from location to location and vacuuming small areas, we don’t recommend a shopvac or a bigger vacuum that you would have to plug in to use.
This is the one we recommend:
You can buy it online here: https://amzn.to/3x0TyC7
We hope you found this article on essential equipment helpful in your journey as a successful vending machine business owner.
For more guides and articles on the vending machine business, click here to visit our blog.
If you’re a business owner in Toronto or the surrounding areas and would like vending machines at your, click here to contact us.
Moving a vending machine is an essential part of the business and can’t be avoided. Even if your business consists of locations with machines already placed, sooner or later you will run into a situation where you'll need to move them.
Some situations where you will need to move a vending machine include:
Moving them can be a challenging task due to the size and weight of a vending machine. It requires careful planning, appropriate tools, and a methodical approach to ensure the safety of both the machine and the individuals involved in the moving process.
In this post, we’ll cover some tips and advice on how to move a machine as safely and efficiently as possible.
If this is your first move and you have little to no experience moving heavy equipment, hire a professional to do it for you.
You can easily damage equipment or injure yourself or others if you’re new to the task.
Before relocating a vending machine, it's essential to prepare it properly to prevent any damage to the machine or injury to the individuals involved in the move. This preparation involves a series of crucial steps designed to ensure the safety of both the equipment and the movers.
Before any physical handling, one must ensure that the vending machine is disconnected from power to avoid electrical hazards. It might seem like a no-brainer, but we have personally seen people try to remove a vending machine from a break room while it was still plugged in. Unplug the power cord and secure it so that it doesn't get caught or cause anyone to trip during the move.
You also want to make sure that all moving parts are secured. This will reduce the risk of damage during moves and make relocating a lot easier. To protect the internal components of the vending machine during the move, they should be secured using screws or strong tape. This includes securing any movable parts inside to prevent them from shifting, which could cause damage. Make sure the machine's doors are also tightly closed and locked, if possible, to avoid them swinging open.
This is a part of moving that gets frequently overlooked. The vending machine must be COMPLETELY EMPTY. Not only can this lighten the load significantly (especially if you’re moving a drink machine), but it will reduce the risk of damage to the machine. Be sure to remove the coin mech, bill acceptor, and card reader (if possible) as well.
Another essential part of the moving process. Arguably one of the most important. Correctly measuring the dimensions of the doorway and the vending machine is critical to ensure it can fit through doorways and into its new location. Height, width, and depth should be recorded, and one should compare these measurements with the entryways and paths the vending machine will need to pass through during the move.
Before attempting to move a vending machine, it is critical to have all the necessary moving equipment on hand to ensure a smooth and safe process. Choosing the right tools and ensuring you have adequate protection will make a significant difference in the moving experience.
Moving a vending machine will involve equipment designed for lifting heavy objects. There are a few different forms of equipment that can be used.
The most common way of moving a vending machine involves using a pallet jack or a pump truck. This is arguably the most efficient way, as it is strong enough to move the machine into place while also requiring the least amount of assistance to maneuver.
Another common way of moving a vending machine involves a heavy duty dolly. You would simply put the machine on top of the dolly and move it accordingly. While it is more mobile than a pump truck, we are personally not a big fan of this method. It is less secure and involves tipping a 500+ lb machine to one side, which can be potentially dangerous.
Some moves will involve stairs. In a situation like this, you would need a special piece of equipment known as a stair climber. Stair Climbers are heavy duty, and you might need special training to be able to use one. But they are EXTREMELY handy when dealing with stairs.
Supplies for protection are equally important as the moving tools. Furniture blankets and moving blankets act as padding to protect the machine from scratches and dings during transit. Secure the padding with straps or packing tape to ensure the blankets stay in place. Additional protective measures such as corner guards can prevent damage to the machine and to doorways.
By gathering the necessary equipment and supplies, individuals or teams responsible for the vending machine's relocation can expect a safer and more efficient move. Properly chosen moving equipment is the cornerstone of any successful vending machine relocation effort.
In preparing for the transportation of a vending machine, careful planning is essential to ensure a smooth move. Adequate assessment of the path, attention to the machine's dimensions, and understanding the structural challenges are key factors to consider.
The first step in the moving process involves a thorough mapping of the path the vending machine will take from its current position to its new location. Measure doorways, corridors, and any other points of passage to confirm the machine's height and width are compatible. Identify obstacles such as permanent fixtures or tight corners that could hinder movement, mapping out alternative routes if necessary.
Navigating through hallways, maneuvering through doors, and dealing with stairs can be challenging. It's crucial to have a detailed strategy for each segment of the move. For hallways and doors, establish a clear path, removing any possible obstructions. You may even have to temporarily remove a door if it’s still obstructing your path while open.
Each step must be planned with precision, employing the proper tools and techniques to conquer the complexities of the transport.
Moving a vending machine requires careful planning and the right techniques to prevent damage and ensure safety. This section covers the essentials for maneuvering and transporting the machine effectively.
Important: make sure the only people handling the machine are the people in charge of the move. If you’re moving at a time where foot traffic is present, do not let anyone near the machine until it’s fully set up. And do NOT ask anyone to help you out at any point of the moving process. Doing this can run the risk of injuries and lawsuits.
Vending machines are typically delivered via 1 of 2 ways:
Both are reliable ways to move a vending machine. If you don’t have a vehicle you can attach a trailer to though, you’ll probably find a truck with a tailgate to be more convenient. You can rent a truck with a tailgate for a day from somewhere like Penske for a very affordable price.
When it comes to moving a vending machine, correct lifting techniques are critical to avoid injury and maintain the balance of the machine. One should always lift from their knees and keep the back straight to reduce strain. Maneuvering the hefty appliance requires multiple people, with one guiding the movement and others supporting the weight, to maintain the center and prevent tipping over.
Once on the dolly or hand truck, it is crucial to secure the vending machine with straps or ropes. During transport, ensuring that the machine is immobilized will prevent any shifting that could cause imbalance or a fall. Proper securing techniques are necessary to keep the vending machine stable throughout the entirety of the move.
Once a vending machine has been moved, it's crucial to ensure it's correctly set up at the new location. This involves precise positioning, connecting to power, and preparing for operation. Each step is vital for the machine to function optimally and serve its purpose effectively.
The machine must be positioned on a flat, stable surface to prevent operational issues. Leveling is critical; an unlevel machine can cause mechanical malfunctions or product dispensing issues. Not just that, but it increases the risk of tipping and falling over. If you’re not sure the machine is level, use a tool such as a bubble level to check horizontal alignment and adjust the machine’s feet accordingly to stabilize its position.
Before plugging in the machine, it's important to restock any products that may have been removed prior to the move. This ensures immediate availability once the machine is back in use. Carefully reconnect the power supply, ensuring the plug fits securely in the outlet and there is no damage to the cord which could pose a safety hazard.
Upon reconnecting the power, perform a thorough test of the machine to check that all features are operational. This should include dispensing products, coin and bill acceptance, and the return mechanism. In case of malfunctions, follow troubleshooting steps such as checking for jams, ensuring proper alignment of vending coils, or consulting the machine’s manual for specific issues.
When moving a vending machine, specific tools and techniques can ensure safety and efficiency. Here, expert insights and practical advice address common concerns.
An individual planning to move a vending machine needs specialized equipment such as a heavy-duty hand truck designed for vending machines, moving straps, and furniture dollies. Additionally, protective blankets can help prevent damage during transport.
To safely transport a vending machine on a dolly, one must first secure the machine with moving straps, ensuring it is balanced and stable. The dolly should be tilted back carefully to distribute the weight evenly before moving.
Moving a vending machine up stairs requires careful planning. One should use a stair-climbing dolly and ensure the path is clear of obstacles. Enlisting the help of additional people is crucial to maintain balance and control during the move.
Any truck with a lift gate and ample space is best suited for moving vending machines. You can either use something like a boxtruck with a tailgate, or a pickup truck that has a liftgate installed. It should have tie-down points to secure the machine during transport and enough payload capacity to handle the weight that ranges between 400 to 900 pounds. Be sure to use cargo straps to keep the machine in place.
To utilize a pallet jack for relocating a vending machine, one must position it under the machine's base, ensuring even weight distribution. The machine should be lifted gently, just enough to clear the ground, and then carefully guided to the new location.
We hope you found this article helpful.
For more advice and posts on vending, click here to visit our blog.
If you're a business in the Toronto or Greater Toronto Area and would like to have vending services at your location, click here to contact us.
If you plan on running a vending machine business, you better not be cheap when it comes to buying a Hand Truck. They are the piece of equipment you’ll be using the most on the job BY FAR. Because most of your job will involve transporting snacks & drinks from one place to another, you want one you can rely on.
In this post, we cover what makes a good hand truck, and help you make a choice for yourself.
There are a few things that typically make a good hand truck for a vending business:
A hand truck’s ability to withstand damage is extremely important. The last thing you want is your hand truck falling apart or giving out on you while you’re about to restock a location. Thankfully, snacks and drinks are not as heavy as moving an actual vending machine, so most handtrucks should be strong enough to get the job done.
In general, you want a hand truck with a capacity of at least 400lbs.
Handtrucks will usually have one of two types of wheels:
From our experience, hard solid wheels work better for vending. They can handle more weight, and you have to worry less about what might happen if you run over sharp debris. If you’re using a hand truck with tires in a location such as a factory or manufacturing plant, you might risk the possibility of getting a flat tire, which can be disastrous.
Some handtrucks can fold and become a handcart.
Aside from durability, this is arguably the biggest factor to consider. If a hand truck can do this, you should strongly consider buying it. A hand truck that folds into a handcart is extremely useful when it comes to carrying large amounts of inventory. It’s easier to carry, and easier to maneuver. You also have a smaller chance of inventory falling off your cart if you run into an accident onsite.
Brands change all the time so we don’t want to give any specific recommendations. If the handtruck satisfies the previously mentioned guidelines though, chances are it’s worth the purchase.
We’ve had a lot of good experiences with this particular handtruck though:
You can find a link to buy it here.
We hope you found this guide on handtrucks helpful in choosing the right piece of equipment for your vending machine business.
For more posts on running a vending machine business, click here for our vending blog.
If you’re in Toronto or the surrounding area and would like to get vending services for your business, click here to contact us.
