Absolutely! Practicing with a toy crane machine before loading prizes is not only possible but highly recommended for operators and serious enthusiasts. The most effective method involves operating the machine completely empty or with inexpensive placeholder items. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the claw's tension, grip strength, and movement mechanics without wasting valuable prizes. Many modern digital crane machines feature a dedicated "service mode" or "test mode" accessible through the settings menu. This mode often lets you adjust claw strength, timing, and movement patterns while providing unlimited free plays for calibration purposes.

For physical practice, use lightweight dummy items like empty boxes, foam blocks, or plastic containers that mimic the size and weight of your intended prizes. This helps you master the machine's physics—understanding how items slide, stack, and react to the claw's grip. Focus on developing consistent joystick control and timing precision for the drop button. Pay close attention to the claw's alignment over targets and its open/close timing during descent and ascent.

Document your practice sessions by noting successful techniques and machine-specific quirks. Adjust the claw's power settings gradually to find the optimal balance between grip strength and fair play. This preparatory phase is crucial for setting appropriate difficulty levels, ensuring customer satisfaction, and minimizing prize loss when the machine goes live for public use. Regular empty-machine practice builds muscle memory and operational confidence, making you more proficient when real prizes are at stake.