Notes about Moving Pianos

[Isabella Kelly]

This piece is written as an aid to training. Amateur movers should
regard the information here as reasons not to attempt piano movements.
Basic knowledge of lifting techniques may only encourage severe harm
to assistants, yourself, and least of all...the piano.
The piano is not only heavy and unwieldy, but has polished and
vulnerable surfaces to protect. Grand pianos have legs which are
designed as stands, and they should be jacked up with proper tools -
just to be moved across a room. Even upright pianos, which may be very
heavy, typically suffer from failed castors. I wonder what percentage
of the pianos moved actually do have a full set of working castors?...
not many!
Upright Pianos
Some are small and light, whilst some, notably older pianos, are like
grand pianos sitting upright. The weight and size of upright pianos
can vary from less than 200kgs to over 400kgs.
Every moving job has hurdles: The easiest are turns, steps, and
gradients, but these hurdles can become real challenges when
staircases - especially with tight turns, are involved. A piano can be
easily hauled up stairs with the right equipment. A straight set of
stairs can be overcome with no more than a suitable length of plank
and good strapping... Heavy slippery plastic sheet can help.
However often, there will be an inconvenient turn on the stairs, and
this may require that the piano is overturned up to 90 degrees onto
its side.
Ideally a piano skid should be used. It is like a sledge to which the
piano can be strapped. The skid not only provides a running surface to
slide on, but holes through which to attach strapping. A piano at 45
degrees on the stairs offers almost no points to pull up on, but a
skid with strapping points at the centre of gravity - in the middle of
the skid - can help two men pulling and one pushing beneath , to pull
a piano both up the stairs and also to up-angle it to turn a tight
corner. When carefully tied tight to the skid with ratchet straps
there will be full control and confidence that the piano will not
topple backwards.
When straight stairs are encountered, a skid allows 2 men to do the
work of three... A piano will slide up (or down) with ease control and
safety... But please note that I built my own skid with slippery nylon
runners!
Grand and Baby Grand Pianos. You will need: 1) A piano shoe with two
blocks,A piano shoe is a wooden frame made in various lengths to fit
different sizes of piano. It has padding, strap holes and straps to
secure it to the piano, and provide a surface to move on.2) A piano
trolley, 3) Suitable strapping, 4) Suitable protective wraps, 5) A
rubber mallet and screwdrivers.
If you are using a moving truck, it will require room to work inside
and a straight wall with good strapping points...Think about the wheel
arch covers featured in small vans... and their lack of strapping
points.
Handling requires at least two (very strong) or three good men... and
that's if the going is easy.
If you are moving a grand or baby grand piano: The piece will have to
be lowered flat onto it's long straight side.The process may start by
removing the lid... If the lid overhangs the straight side of the
piano, the piano's weight may tear the lid's screws from their
threads. You will also reduce the weight by removing the lid, and make
the piece easier to handle. It will also be possible to run a strap
through the flat side of the piano and round both the skid and trolley
for secure movement. The lid must be then wrapped in suitable blankets
or covers.
With the lid removed, a suitable sized piano shoe is strapped to the
left (straight) side of the piece, and then whilst supporting the
weight - preferably with a purpose made piano stand, the front left
leg and the lyre ( the foot pedal assembly) is removed (in some
pneumatic mechanisms you may need to raise and support the left corner
by 6 inches in order to drop the lyre). That done, the piece can then
be lowered or kneeled over. It is like an elephant kneeling... with
the back, and front right leg still in place. Piano shoes are built so
that the front left corner - by the keyboard - is protected. This is
the corner that will meet the ground first.
Sometimes a piano skid is used. This is like a sledge, and is placed
on the floor so the flat side of the piano can be lowered onto it.
Adequate cushioning is essential to protect the fine surface of the
piano.
what is the difference between a skid and a shoe?
A shoe is an old fashioned tool which is strapped to the side of a
grand piano before it is lowered. It is a frame made of wood with
cushioning and strap holes, and strapping attached. Its main purpose
is to protect the polished surface of a pianos straight edge..
A skid is slightly more general purpose... For example it might be
useful for moving a heavy safe. An upright or grand piano could be
placed and strapped onto it, and it is probably designed with runners
or wheels to allow movement. It may be a metal frame with a padded
wooden board bolted on. It can be slid up and down stairs.
The skid should be placed onto eight inch high blocks to reduce the
back breaking weight of lowering a (grand) piano right to the
floor...This will allow the trolley (around eight inches high) to be
placed more easily underneath the skid, between the blocks.Determining
the exact angle at which to place the skid is a matter of some
experience. Plenty of padding is recommended.
The piano can now be moved all the way over to sit flat on it's
straight side, and The other two legs can now be removed. The various
makers have their own methods of securing the legs.. Use the mallet to
tap towards the wooden locking wedge. If it does not move, take time
to look and think... The answer will not be force, but it may be a 90
degree rotation.
A feature of the shoe or skid is that there is some strapping handles
to lift it - together with the piano - so the trolley can be wheeled
underneath. The trolley is a purpose made piece of equipment.
Typically, it might be an approximately 2 foot long by 14 inches wide,
heavy aluminium frame which incorporates 2 steel axles (and 4 rubber
mounted wheels in total).
The piano must now be strapped to the shoe / skid, and covers
applied.
The piano / shoe and trolley should be tenderly ratchet strapped to
the shoe if there are any steps or obstacles which may separate the
two. The tension should be just so that all moves as one, but without
exerting unnecessary tension on the piano. In practice, it is better
to take the time to always take this precaution.
All movements should be conducted with a 'hug'... The moving team
should always connect shoulders and weight to the piece at all times
so as to correct any loss of balance before, and not after it becomes
exaggerated.
Obstacles such as steps or curb stones are always approached squarely
with 2 wheels and never at an angle.
On the van : Strap the piano with at least one end on the front
bulkhead, so breaking force does not work on the strapping. Ratchet
straps are not recommended on van wall strapping bars... They can
apply enough pressure to damage the wall of the van, and the metal
parts can scratch a polished surface... But very tenderly applied,
they are preferable to amateur or ineffective 'knots'. Professional
mover's web straps are the right solution since they are strong and
tie up right...Tight and secure at hand pressure. There must be no
movement at all, since the piano will try to work itself loose in
transit.
This article is intended as introductory reading for new staff. It in
no way amounts to full instruction for the trade of piano moving.

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