Concrete blocks/cinder blocks can fracture and crumble! Make your "blocks" of 2x6s set up in I-beam configuration with a large plywood foot, all screwed together solid. Consider bolting the jacks to the tops of the blocks. Make sure nobody is going to come through the room when you're doing this. I do it this way, but don't get under the piano until the legs are seated in the sockets. I have also had to stop and take a leg to the shop because a caster screw head stripped our in the leg. Now I bring my best screwdrivers and a backup drill kit to the job location. Ed Sutton -----Original Message----- >From: Jeff Tanner <jtanner at mozart.sc.edu> >Sent: May 26, 2006 3:19 PM >To: College and University Technicians <caut at ptg.org> >Subject: Re: [CAUT] technique for getting pianos on the colson dolly > >I do it myself. >Me, three concrete blocks, 6 4x4 scraps, and 3 2-ton hydraulic >jacks. Cost -- about $30, depending on where you get the hydraulic >jacks and what you have to pay for them. > >Place the concrete blocks - or something similarly strong of similar >size - on the three corners of the piano. (I use a blanket sometimes >under the blocks) I put one 4x4 on top of a block, a jack on top of >that, and another 4x4 between the jack and the piano. Jack it up >slowly and evenly so that the piano doesn't tip. Remove the casters >-- you may have to remove and replace the legs. Place the truck >under the piano and adjust it to fit the legs. Slowly lower the >piano until it barely hovers above the truck --- low enough the truck >can't roll around, but bears no weight. Tighten all bolts and screws >and let the piano down. I've installed 3 spider trucks this way and >it beats the heck out of getting a crew of 10 guys to lift the piano >while you crawl around under it. > >my perspective. >Jeff > > >On May 25, 2006, at 7:49 PM, Debra Feiger wrote: > >> Now that we've ordered spider dollies for the SS L and >> SS B, the facilities manager wants to bring in movers >> to put the pianos on the dollies. Can someone give me >> specific instructions on how to do this in-house (how >> many strapping muscle men we need and specific >> technique). I haven't yet gotten into the piano >> moving business even though I work out! The >> university is worried about liability. >> >> __________________________________________________ >> Do You Yahoo!? >> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around >> http://mail.yahoo.com >> > > > >Jeff Tanner, RPT >University of South Carolina > > >
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