Here at Yamaha, we have found with our concert stock going in and out frequently, that using the lyre as a fulcrum does indeed result in weakened glue joints. All the resulting squeaks and groans one associates with loose glue joints are a source of annoyance, and many hours of repairs that should never need to be done. One of our local movers made a few dummy lyres, consisting of a 2 X 6 bolted to a header. (The screw holes may be elongated into slots to allow for different distances between lyre screws on different brands). It isn't easy to get all the movers to use them, but we find it makes a VERY big difference. Once or twice in the lifetime of a piano, it isn't likely that tipping on the lyre is a big issue, but for repeated moves, it definitely constitutes abuse. Steve Pearson Yamaha Piano service >>> <DGH9442@AOL.COM> 05/28 6:23 AM >>> Ref. the above. I work with two professional moving companies in and around the Naples, FL area. They frequently drop off and pick up pianos at my shop. Their common practice is to tilt the piano with it's treble and tail legs and the pedal lyre attached to the piano. They use the fulcrum of the lyre to assist them in the maneuver of sitting the piano on the skid board, or taking it off. It seems to work well enough. As long as the piano is fairly new (one that has a metal lyre support bracket mounted on the bottom of the keybed using machine bolts to bolt the lyre to the bracket) it seems to work without a problem. I have only heard of one instance where the bottom platform of the lyre was broken. I believe there might be a problem on older grands where the pedal lyre is screwed directly to the keybed. In spite of all this, I still feel somewhat uneasy when this maneuver is performed. My alternative, here in my shop, is to use a product "The Piano Horse". This device works much the same way as the standard piano truck that is used on upright pianos. I have used it in my shop, by myself, to stand up grands off the skid board, and put them back on, and have had no problem. The information on this product is available through the Piano Wrangler Equipment Co. of Austin, TX. The owner, and developer of the Horse in Gordon Crail. If you are interested, the phone number is (512) 452-6458. The address is 5119 Fairview Drive, Austin, TX 78731. Dennis Hershman Hershman Piano Service Naples, FL
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