In most developed countries, vending machines are common in one or two locations. This machine dispenses items such as food, tokens, coins, etc. It is not common to see it moved around, so does that mean it is bulky? First, then, you need to know how much vending machine weighs.
A vending machine’s weight depends on its purpose and the items contained in it. An empty vending machine should average weigh between 400 and 900 lbs and even higher when filled with products. A standard vending machine should weigh around 640 lbs when filled.
Before we move on to details about the vending machine, let’s quickly remind ourselves what this machine does so that you can picture how this device works.
Page Contents
- What is a Vending Machine?
- Types of Vending Machines and Their Weights
- What Is The Capacity Of A Vending Machine?
- Is It Easy To Move A Vending Machine?
- How Many Bottles Of Beverages Can A Vending Machine Hold?
- How Much Can A Vending Machine Hold?
- Where Can I Find A Vending Machine?
- Is It Profitable To Have A Vending Machine?
- Do I Need A License To Own A Vending Machine?
- Conclusion
What is a Vending Machine?
A vending machine accepts coins and paper currencies (modern) in exchange for drinks and snacks contained in it. It provides an easy way for store owners to sell to their customers even when they are not physically available.
They are usually named after the brand of beverages or snacks they contain, such as Pepsi machine, Coca-cola machine, and so on, although this does not imply these brands manufacture them. However, they can also be supplied by them.
Types of Vending Machines and Their Weights
There are three common types of vending machines: stack, glass-front, and combo.
The stack machine is the commonest of the three and can contain about ten beverages. Its weight varies from 550 lbs to 660 lbs depending on the items in it.
On the other hand, glass-front vending machines have the highest capacity of the three, accommodating up to 60 items in the chips. In addition, they usually contain beverages and weigh between 700 and 900 lbs, depending on the number of items in them.
Coming behind these two are the combo vending machines which are quite small and usually contain a combination of snacks and beverages or only beverages. They weigh below 550 lbs and take up lesser space.
What Is The Capacity Of A Vending Machine?
Vending machines are usually tall and have enough space to contain the required items. Typically, a vending machine should have a dimension of 72×39×33. This dimension implies that the device should be, on average, 72 inches tall, 39 inches wide, and 33 inches deep.
You can purchase a vending machine that is significantly lower or higher than this, depending on your needs. For example, most soda vending machines have a dimension of 39×33×33.
Is It Easy To Move A Vending Machine?
Moving a vending machine will certainly not be child’s play considering the size of the machine. Inviting an expert load carrier to help you move it to your destination is the best way. You can also consider getting a smaller vending machine if the purpose of getting it is not so complex.
Ensure the vending machine is placed face-up when moving it because the height of the vending machine will not make it easy to be moved vertically. However, when you drag horizontally, you will have to wait for some hours (preferably a day) before using the machine to allow the oil displaced from the oil reservoir in the compressor to find its way back into it.
How Many Bottles Of Beverages Can A Vending Machine Hold?
The number of beverages a vending machine can hold depends on the number of columns and rows it contains and the size of the bottles. For example, considering a 50cl Coca-cola bottle, a vending machine should be able to take in between 150-300 bottles if it has sufficient rows and columns.
How Much Can A Vending Machine Hold?
Similar to the number of bottles a vending machine can hold, the amount of money usually in coins that a vending machine can have depends on the coin mechanism of the particular machine.
The largest coin mechanism can contain up to $60 (600 coins), while some can only take as little as $2 worth of coins (200 coins). Those that accept dollar bills have a larger coin mechanism, and the machine’s dimension will determine this.
Where Can I Find A Vending Machine?
Locating a vending machine is quite easy, and you will find one in the most popular places, especially in the US. Generally, countries with notable beverages and soft drinks consumption have vending machines to make purchasing their favorite drinks and snacks easier.
The following places are some of the commonest points you will probably find a vending machine in the US:
- Stores
- Pools
- Clubhouse
- Hotels
- Offices
- School Cafeterias
- Restaurants
- Repair shops
- On walkways etc
Is It Profitable To Have A Vending Machine?
If you can cover the cost of purchasing a vending machine, then buying one should not be a bad idea. The most important aspect is strategically locating it where there is a high chance of people benefitting from it.
On average, a vending machine can generate up to $75 a week and about $300 monthly in a place with few people. So you can imagine how much it will generate in a dense environment, even when you have more than one.
Do I Need A License To Own A Vending Machine?
Yes, you will require a license to own a vending machine, as the items it contains are consumable and must be sold according to the state where you operate.
Getting a license should not be a problem; it just needs you to complete some verification and probably covers some registration fees to operate your vending machine business legally. However, if you are being supplied by a brand or a vending machine-producing company, you may not need to obtain a license apart from registering with the company.
Conclusion
A vending machine is bulky; having an idea of its weight will make it easier to move it after purchasing one. Pick-ups with open booths are usually the best to transport a vending machine since you will be using a truck to transport many.
You can also check if the suppliers offer transport services to make moving your vending machine easy.