The primary consideration here appear to be the costs. Professional piano movers can quote a fee for an inhouse move, for six stairs, or vertigal 3 feet. Should be between $100 and $300 US. Regarding this, and now that we have Steinway on the "line" how does Steinway move grand pianos, in particular the D.?? I have seen movers remove only the left leg (of any grand, but not sure if I saw a D done this way) and "roll" it over using the lyre to support the piano through its arc from horizontal to vertical. Actually the piano is "pushed over" to meet the sled which is on top of the dolly, then pushed to standing on its side. This means the lyre and the back leg are supporting the entire weight, (but most of the weight is on the lyre) until it meets the sled. Criticism of this method cites tremendous strain on the lyre, predicting disasterous results unless the lyre were designed for this, plus possible bending and or flexing of the key bed, not good for regualtion. The other method involves removing the lyre, lifting the left side of the piano, and removing that leg, then lowering to meet the sled on the dolly. Here the piano is supported on two legs, but puts the treble leg at an awkward strain, (also predicting awful failure in absence of leg plates), and places fingers of at least one mover in jeopardy. I ask these questions, because the problem of moving a grand piano up 3 feet should be easily accomplished by three strong bodies, some equipment, and a little training. If it is a concert grand, perhaps 4 "hands".. The use of a fork lift is intuitive, so it must be out of the question for what ever reasons. Even with a fork lift, a technician should be present to place the forks to avoid damage to the piano, especaily the trap work. There is the possibility of using a "cherry picker", the type auto mechanics use to extract engines from cars. In the case of a concert grand, a picker the size used for large semi-trucks might be needed. It could be placed on the stage, but would have to reach far enough over the stage to lift the piano secured by moving straps. Of course it should not tip over, or require six people standing on one end, and a seventh to "crank" it. Don't forget the technician who should be consulted as to how to place the straps to avoid damage to the instrument. Again, on the intuitive side, the use of a cable, or cables suspended from the ceiling, and used in conjunction with a $40 come-along and moving straps must also be out of the question. This system should support 2,000 lbs, or what ever your insurance says. Weights of pianos to follow. Back to the three man move. If a grand piano is to be moved often, there is a way to get around the cost of a sled. ($276 from APSCO retail, (called a skid) or less depending on how well you treat your technician.) One reason a sled is needed to move a piano on its side is because the over hanging edge of the lid would get trashed, and then the side itself. Two by two inch "runners" (consider straight grained fir, or knot free birch, or consult a shop teacher) can be screwed to the side. Two of these are needed. Then the only problem is the lid flopping down, unless the piano has one of those European lid latches. Industrial Velcro, or the ubiquitous nylon moving straps help. Forget duct tape. The piano perhaps can be "dropped" onto a 1.5 foot very strong wooden box covered by a moving blanked folded over, and then swiveled to edge of the stage. The lift then would be 1.5 feet. You might find a second higher box for the end of the piano would help. Then again the first box might have to be lower. If you want to go this route, hire professional piano movers for the first move. Watch what they do. Pay them a little extra if need be to figure out what size boxes you need. Hire them again if necessary to see if you got it right. You do want to get it down off the stage? Weights of pianos according to Pierce (in pounds). Steinway; M - 560, A - 680, B (7 foot) 740, D (9 foot) 980. Baldwins of similar sizes (according to Pierce) are about 100 pounds more. Good luck and remember, gravity never forgives. That's why piano movers are insured. Richard Moody piano tuner technician The bottom line is not, "what does it cost?"; but "what is it worth?" ---------- > From: swinfo@g2g.com > To: pianotech@byu.edu > Subject: moving a Stienway Grand > Date: Friday, January 31, 1997 9:26 AM > > Dear List: > > Someone visiting our Web page asked us the following question: > > "For a concert series that we host every summer, our Stienway must be > moved a great deal. I'm wondering if there is a way to move our piano > up onto the stage, a 3 ft. lift, using a jack or pully type system > instead of brute man power. Do you know of any system on the market > that may help us?" > > We thought that you might know of something that would do the trick. > > Yours, > STEINWAY & SONS > > Stephen K. Dove > > >
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC