Tilting on the lyre

[Richard Moody]

Once upon a time I worked in a player piano store, and we had reproducers
moved in and out. I thought the problem was that the parts of the player
underneath would get damaged if the piano were let down after taking off
the lyre.  That if the piano were tipped over using the lyre, it would arc
over just right.  Anyhow there were special considerations for the movers
with our reproducer grands but we paid them for it.  Besides some of those
with six legs were very flemsy when any attempt was made to tip them over.
For the grands with only big dowels and screws for the legs and not lock
plates you are asking for trouble not  using the lyre.  All in all it is
much easier on the men, equipment and instrument if it is tilted on the
lyre. 
	It is just one more practice which must be done with care and thought.
The lyre must be inspected for strength which is actually easier to
ascertain than the legs. If there is any question about the conditions of
the legs or lyres it is best to have three experienced movers to tip. 
	For grand pianos up to 5' 6" those get moved by myself, tilted over on
the lyre (after it has been inspected) on to the sled.  On my two rental
grands the lyres were secured in with machine bolts into T nuts embed in
the key bed.  One more use for the lyre in moving.  A folded up pad placed
under it will lift the  left leg off the floor so no one needs to hold
that side up while the other fellow is underneath trying to take the leg
off.  This is one more indication that the lyre is strong enough to tilt
with. 

Ric.


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From: Berley A. Firmin <FIRMAN1@prodigy.net>
To: pianotech@ptg.org
Subject: Re: Tilting on the lyre
Date: Friday, May 28, 1999 2:06 PM

I am extremely cautious about moving grands and would never allow a mover
to use the lyre....I restore Reproducers and would die if a lyre broke or
gave way and the piano fell on the player unit beneath! My nightmares are
made of these!
Mr. Berley Antoine Firmin II
Bayou La Combe, Louisiana