Tilting on the lyre

[David ilvedson]

I like everything in the post except the swivel wheel dolly.  I 
seldom see a serious piano mover use one.  The only one I 
know of in the Bay Area also dead lifts the piano/skid to install 
the dolly.  

David Ilvedson, RPT

Date sent:      	Mon, 31 May 1999 18:14:16 -0600
To:             	pianotech@ptg.org
From:           	"Guy, Karen, and Tor Nichols" <nicho@roadrunner.com>
Subject:        	Re: Tilting on the lyre
Send reply to:  	pianotech@ptg.org

> List,
> 	I've watched this thread and been glad to see that most agree that tilting
> on the lyre is not always the best way. I have seen joint damage from that
> style of tilting, especially in our dry climate, where the joints come
> loose anyway.
> 	The following post from Dennis points out the relative importance of skid
> contact when the piano's left edge is first lowered. It has also been
> mentioned that some lower the piano with the board already on the dolly.
> When moving units that have a lot of "miles", the most common damage we see
> is a crushed left corner. Polyester pianos have a neat habit of loosing
> chunks of finish when the wood changes dimension.
> 	The technique we use does lower the piano with the board on the dolly, and
> despite the fact that we don't like to tilt the board up for the dolly, the
> biggest advantage IS the fact that when the piano goes down to the board,
> the board tips as it takes the weight, bringing the long part of the board
> up to meet the long side of the piano. The biggest challenge is that we
> prefer all-swivel type dollies, so we lay down a folded blanket to act as
> "anti-skate". Not an issue on carpet, but lotsa fun on concrete or tile. It
> allows a manual shifting of the long end of the board for precise
> placement, and reduces the damage that can result from the inelastic
> collision that occurs if the board is on the floor. When raising a piano
> from the board, with the board still on the dolly, it's possible to lever
> the piano up by pressing down on the tail end of the board, thereby giving
> the hoisters a lot of extra help, without much strain. We always use a
> three-legged steel prop, with a vertical piece of heavy all-thread that
> passes through a large steel nut welded in the center of the top of the
> three legs. Adjustable, very strong, and able to be positioned for
> stability or overbalance. Also can be used under the keybed of uprights
> that are getting leg-work.
> 	Safety first. Right. At least for the hired help.......
> 
> Guy Nichols, RPT
> 
> 
> At 03:35 PM 5/31/99 -0400, you wrote:
> >David:
> >
> >The Horse IS on the skid board before tilting.  The block under the tail end 
> >of the board is only to insure that the tail of the piano touches the skid 
> >board before the key end of the piano.  Mr. Crail (who is a professional 
> >piano mover) advised that the front bass edge of pianos frequently are 
> >damaged when that edge comes down on the board first.  The block is removed 
> >after the piano is on its side and secured.  When the piano is removed from 
> >the skid board, the tail block is not used.
> >
> >Dennis Hershman
> >Hershman Piano Service
> > 
> 


David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA
ilvey@jps.net