<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML xmlns:o = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2668" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY id=role_body style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #000000; = FONT-FAMILY: Arial" bottomMargin=7 bgColor=#ffffff leftMargin=7 topMargin=7 = rightMargin=7> <DIV>Scary Story</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I installed a 'spider' under a baby grand in a local hotel a few = years ago, pretty much the way Wim described, except, that since it was such a = small, and therefor not very heavy piano, I knelt under the piano and used my back = to lift each corner in turn instead of using a jack . .  Started with = the front legs, and, exactly as described below, without using the block, = however, got the front or keyboard legs done.</DIV> <DIV>Lastly, went to the back, tail, leg and lifted . . .  well I discovered an interesting phenomena about centre of gravity, momentum = etc.</DIV> <DIV>The two front legs, now being on the spider, where the castors are significantly inboard of the legs, gives the whole piano an entirely = lighter feel at the back end . .  It went up entirely too easily, and would = have kept going in a front somersault if I had not realized what had just = happened, and grabbed that disappearing back leg with all my ( bank account = inspired ) strength.</DIV> <DIV>As I held on to the piano and fitted the leg into the little cup, I = thanked my lucky stars that the piano and I had both survived . . </DIV> <DIV>Moral of the story . . sometimes an assistant / spotter is a GOOD = thing !!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Be careful Lance !</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV><BR>Jim Kinnear<BR>"A man is about as big as the things that make = him angry." -- Winston Churchill</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; = BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: = black"><B>From:</B> <A title=Wimblees@aol.com = href="mailto:Wimblees@aol.com">Wimblees@aol.com</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=caut@ptg.org href="mailto:caut@ptg.org">caut@ptg.org</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, June 20, 2005 = 10:24 PM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [CAUT] Piano truck = installation</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT id=role_document face=Arial color=#000000 = size=2> <DIV> <DIV>In a message dated 6/20/2005 3:36:59 PM Central Standard Time, <A = href="mailto:llafargue@charter.net">llafargue@charter.net</A> = writes:</DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px = solid"><FONT style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent" face=Arial color=#000000 = size=2> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I am ordering a piano truck/dolly system from <SPAN class=SpellE>Pianotek</SPAN> for a = Steinway D in a University hall here. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: = yes"> </SPAN>I have never installed one from scratch and not sure of the smartest = and safest way.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>I know I = have to take each leg off to remove the casters.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN><SPAN class=GramE>Also = that the lyre should be off.</SPAN><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  = </SPAN>I have car/piano stationary jacks to hold it up (only have 2) and I have a hydraulic jack.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>I = also have a portable engine hoist that I could lug there from my shop if = necessary.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  = </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Any experienced voices = would be appreciated.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN>Thanks = in advance.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">  </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: = Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV> <DIV></DIV> <DIV>Lance</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Assemble the truck as per instructions. Do not tighten the arm = bolts, so you can move them in and put, and leave the plate bolts a little = loose, so you can turn the arms. Position the truck under the piano, so that = each arm is close to each leg. You want the arm that comes out of the plate at = a 90 degree angle at the back. Use the jack to lift one leg, (preferably = one of the front legs). You can remove the caster with a big screw = driver. With the caster removed, position the arm under the leg, and put a piece of = wood, like a small piece of 2x4, under the leg. Lower the jack and let the = leg come down on the arm rest. The block of wood will prevent the other legs = from coming up. Repeat this for the other two legs. You do not need to = remove the lyre</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Good luck</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Wim <DIV><FONT lang=0 face=Arial size=2 PTSIZE="10" = FAMILY="SANSSERIF">Willem Blees, RPT<BR>Piano Technician<BR>School of Music<BR>University of Alabama</FONT></DIV></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></BODY></HTML>