| Moving a Piano Around a Room |
It's understandable that you might not want to hire a mover just to move a piano around a room, but these
small moves can be surprisingly dangerous. With both grands and verticals, it's primarily the legs you
want to watch out for. Breaking a leg on a vertical may just be an inconvenience, but on a grand it can be
disastrous. For example, a leg could get caught on an uneven floor or the grate of a heating duct and
come crashing to the floor, breaking the legs as well as the pedal lyre.
Dragging a piano across carpeting can also be too much for the legs to handle. If you insist on moving a
grand piano yourself, 3 to 5 strong people should gather around its circumference and lift while moving.
Don't actually try to lift it off the floor; just relieve the strain on the legs of the piano.
At least 2 people should always move a vertical piano. Smaller, apartment sized verticals with
free-standing legs should have their legs protected by lifting or tilting the piano back ever so slightly while
moving. But remember that most of the weight of the piano is in its back, so be sure you have a firm grip
on it and don't tilt so far that the piano is in danger of falling over. Larger verticals and smaller ones without
legs can simply be rolled, although this may be hard to do on carpeting. Piano casters can sometimes get
stuck unexpectedly, so move slowly with one person on each end of the piano. When making turns, keep
the back of the piano on the inside of the turn. And be careful not to push a stubborn vertical piano over
your helper's foot!
Casters, Trucks & Dollies
If you're going to be moving a piano around a room or stage, or from room to room often, be sure the
piano is properly equipped.
Grand pianos should be mounted on a piano truck/dolly or fitted with special casters. Small verticals are
best not to be moved around much, but there are special trucks for them, too. See pictures below. Larger
verticals often come with heavy-duty casters, but casters that are too small or old cast-iron casters can be
replaced by your piano technician with double rubber-wheel ones that move easily and don't mar the floor.
small moves can be surprisingly dangerous. With both grands and verticals, it's primarily the legs you
want to watch out for. Breaking a leg on a vertical may just be an inconvenience, but on a grand it can be
disastrous. For example, a leg could get caught on an uneven floor or the grate of a heating duct and
come crashing to the floor, breaking the legs as well as the pedal lyre.
Dragging a piano across carpeting can also be too much for the legs to handle. If you insist on moving a
grand piano yourself, 3 to 5 strong people should gather around its circumference and lift while moving.
Don't actually try to lift it off the floor; just relieve the strain on the legs of the piano.
At least 2 people should always move a vertical piano. Smaller, apartment sized verticals with
free-standing legs should have their legs protected by lifting or tilting the piano back ever so slightly while
moving. But remember that most of the weight of the piano is in its back, so be sure you have a firm grip
on it and don't tilt so far that the piano is in danger of falling over. Larger verticals and smaller ones without
legs can simply be rolled, although this may be hard to do on carpeting. Piano casters can sometimes get
stuck unexpectedly, so move slowly with one person on each end of the piano. When making turns, keep
the back of the piano on the inside of the turn. And be careful not to push a stubborn vertical piano over
your helper's foot!
Casters, Trucks & Dollies
If you're going to be moving a piano around a room or stage, or from room to room often, be sure the
piano is properly equipped.
Grand pianos should be mounted on a piano truck/dolly or fitted with special casters. Small verticals are
best not to be moved around much, but there are special trucks for them, too. See pictures below. Larger
verticals often come with heavy-duty casters, but casters that are too small or old cast-iron casters can be
replaced by your piano technician with double rubber-wheel ones that move easily and don't mar the floor.
| Grand Piano Truck/Dolly |
| Grand Piano Leg Dolly |
| Twin Upright Piano Dollies |
Grand pianos that are going to be moved around
a lot can be mounted on a "stage truck/dolly" like
this one. These are heavy-duty, durable
workhorses equipped with non-marking
rubber-tired wheels.
a lot can be mounted on a "stage truck/dolly" like
this one. These are heavy-duty, durable
workhorses equipped with non-marking
rubber-tired wheels.
Less obtrusive, these individual caster "cup
dollies" are placed under each grand piano leg
and support the piano quite well. However, stage
trucks ultimately provide more flooring protection
and durability in situations where the piano is
being moved regularly - like on a concert stage.
dollies" are placed under each grand piano leg
and support the piano quite well. However, stage
trucks ultimately provide more flooring protection
and durability in situations where the piano is
being moved regularly - like on a concert stage.
These twin dollies are excellent in
situations where pianos need to be moved
around quickly and easily. They move over
flooring and carpets much easier than the
casters that come with most upright
pianos.They are perfect for use in schools,
show rooms, churches, etc.
situations where pianos need to be moved
around quickly and easily. They move over
flooring and carpets much easier than the
casters that come with most upright
pianos.They are perfect for use in schools,
show rooms, churches, etc.
| This excerpt was taken from The Piano Book, by Larry Fine: The definitive source book on buying & owning a new or used piano Click here for more info.....Canadians click here |
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