Crane Vending Machines

A claw vending machine may also be referred to as a crane machine, not to be confused with Crane Merchandising Systems, is a redemption prize machine where the claw is controlled using a joystick. The user inserts a credit in the form of cash, credit card, tokens, or game card to allow for the gameplay. The joystick allows the claw to be moved in four directions (left, right, front, back) to move the gantry/claw to the desired position or directly over a prize. Once the claw is in place, the user simply pushes the down button and the claw will go down and attempt to grab the prize below. If successful, the claw will move back to the prize drop area and release the prize into the prize box. Each machine is equipped with drop sensors so it knows once a prize has been dropped. Please note: the win ratio of the machine is typically set by the owner/operator of the machine. Most claw machines that leave our factory are set to about a 1-8 ratio, meaning that it is likely that someone will win a prize 1 item out of every 8 gameplays based on the claw strength. However, this is just a factory setting and it's up to the operator to set their desired win ratio and test accordingly.

The difference between skill play and win-every-time can be set in the game settings and changed by the owner/operator of the machines. All of our claw machines can be set to either gameplay mode within the settings of the game and changed at any time. The biggest difference from an operator's perspective is the value of the prizes and whether or not they can be set to a win-every-time and still be profitable. Generally, a win-every-time machine will have cheaper items or candy and skill play machines will have premium plush as the prizes. The most common setting for standard plush prizes is skill play with a preset win ratio. However, there are certain Please note: All of our claw machines have drop sensors that interact with the gameplay settings so it's known once a prize has been won.

We have a full line of prizes and plush here at CandyMachines.com that are designed for claw machines - Make sure you purchase the appropriate size of plush for the claw installed on the machine. Here are some examples of claw sizes: Super Mini Crane has a 3-inch claw and it works best with small backpack plush or 2-inch toy capsules, Toy Taxi Claw Machine has a medium claw installed and it does great with 5 to 8-inch plush toys, and the Fun Zone would have the jumbo claw and works great with 10 to 12-inch plush toys. Please Note: All of our Claw Machines include a free first fill so each machine comes with a mix the best fits the claw size installed.

Yes! All of our claw machines can be set to free play or tokens if you're configuring for a rewards system. The free play options vary by model but it will either be a setting that is changed in the gameplay settings or we can install a free play button on the machine. Free play buttons are great for home use and game room. If you're setting the claw machine up as a rewards system for your kids, a token is a great way to go because the game play can be controlled.

At CandyMachines.com, we are your factory-direct source for all our claw machines, and every machine shipped is brand new. Every machine we ship passes mandatory QC testing and come with a full factory warranty. Please see individual product pages or call with item-specific warranty information. If buying used, make sure you understand the history of the machine and whether or not parts are still manufactured.