A repair manual from the 80's refers to these as "tank"-style machines, no doubt due to their weight and cast chassis construction. I had one several years ago and a neat feature were the book style circuit boards underneath. They're mounted on metal frames that, once released, fold open like a book to gain access to the underside of the reel table. My wife and I purhased a PV-1250 (I think) which was a button operated deck, not the piano-key transport, in 1981 and used it until 1989. It was given to her parents who still use it on occasion.
Speaking of cost: a 1979 Sears catalog lists their beta machine for $799 and if you want an optional color camera, (gasp), $1299. 'Course, the b/w was only $399, with a non-electronic "viewfinder"...