Upright pianos can weigh anywhere from 400 to 900 pounds. They are incredibly heavy and dangerous to move without the proper tools. One mistake could cause major injuries.
Plan out your moving route in advance. Measure doorways and staircases to ensure the piano will fit. Study some u-tube videos to familiarize yourself with the tools needed for your move. Contact Charleston Upright Piano Moving now!
Upright pianos are a beautiful musical instrument, but they can also be dangerous to move. Because of their immense weight, they can be difficult to lift and maneuver. This is why it’s best to hire professional movers to handle the job. This will ensure the safety of the piano as well as the health and safety of the movers. However, if you’re determined to take on the challenge of moving an upright piano yourself, there are some things you can do to prepare for the move.
First, make sure that you have enough people to help. The largest upright pianos can weigh up to 900 pounds, and even smaller ones can be quite heavy. To avoid injury to yourself and others, be sure that you have a crew of at least four people. In addition, it’s important to have the proper tools for the job.
You’ll need furniture blankets and tape, a piano dolly, and piano moving straps. The blankets will protect the piano from scratches and scuffs during the move, while the tape will keep the blankets in place. You’ll also need to remove any items that are blocking the piano’s path or could get caught on the harp. Finally, you’ll need to make sure that your truck rental has enough room to fit the piano.
When choosing a moving company, check their credentials and reviews. Look for a company that has experience with the type of piano you have and can provide references from previous customers. You should also ask for recommendations from friends and family. Finally, make sure that the movers are insured and licensed.
Before the move, it’s important to plan out your route and measure doorways, hallways, and staircases to ensure that the piano will fit. It’s also a good idea to remove the hinges from any doors that will need to be opened during the move. This will make the process much easier.
Once you’re ready to start the move, place the piano on a piano dolly and use the furniture blankets to secure it in place. Back the truck up to whatever entrance you’ll be using and use the plywood or boards to build a ramp that will allow you to safely lower the piano into the bed of the truck.
Dolly
Piano movers rely heavily on the dolly to help them safely maneuver large heavy objects such as upright pianos. One mistake while moving a piano and you could seriously injure yourself (and also damage the instrument). The best upright piano dolly available is the Jansen model J4009 or J4010. This type of dolly is sold in sets of two.
When a piano is placed on a dolly it becomes almost weightless and easy for one person to control. Piano movers use this method to carry the piano over long distances from one location to another as well as up and down stairs.
One person lifts the piano to the point of balance and the other slides a dolly under it from the back side. The dolly should be positioned so that the rubber caps on it are flush with the piano’s base and the front of the dolly protrudes slightly from the rear of the piano.
The piano is then tipped on its side on the dolly so that it rests on one of the wheels. While the other man pushes the piano slowly and gently on its dolly, the first person supports the treble end of the piano to prevent it from falling off the dolly.
This process is repeated for the bass end of the piano. It is important to remember that the upright piano is heavier at its treble (lower notes) end than it is at its bass (lower) end. Therefore it is crucial that a piano mover never try to lift an upright piano by grabbing at either of its ends with one hand while holding the dolly in the other.
A very experienced piano mover may be able to do this with just one person, but it is extremely dangerous. Trying to do this with a newbie mover is a recipe for disaster. One wrong move and a person can suffer broken bones and dislocations.
Lifting
If your piano has decorative legs that unscrew, you should remove them before the move to prevent their accidental loss. You should also take this opportunity to clean and wipe down the piano, as well as vacuum and dust off the interior. If you have an electric keyboard, the batteries should be removed and cleaned as well.
When a professional moves a piano, they use ramps and skid plates to roll it over surfaces and stairs. Even a small upright piano can weigh up to 800 lbs, so the dolly needs to be very stable when lifting it up. Most piano movers will always use at least 3 men to lift up a large upright on a dolly. One man controls the light side of the piano, while 2 men are positioned on the heavy side.
It is essential to plan your move route ahead of time and know which rooms the piano will have to pass through. This will save you money on extra materials and will ensure the safety of both the piano and the movers. If possible, measure doorways and staircases to make sure the piano will fit. If the piano is too wide to fit through a doorway, it can be shortened by placing blocks of wood under each end.
To get an upright piano up onto a ramp, a crew will usually start by pushing it to the end of the dolly and then lowering it. They will repeat this process until they have reached the ramp. Once at the top of the ramp, the piano will be lifted by a crew using ratchet straps. Once the piano is on the truck, the movers will belt it in and re-attach the dolly.
Whether you are moving an upright piano yourself or hiring a professional to do it for you, proper preparation and planning will make the job much easier. Ensure that the movers you hire have experience with your specific type of piano, as different types require different handling techniques. Be sure to check their credentials and read reviews and testimonials.
Transport
Upright pianos have 88 keys, and that means a lot of moving parts. Whether you’re transporting an upright across the street or across the country, you need to protect it well. It’s always best to have professionals handle it, but if you choose to do-it-yourself, make sure you’re prepared for the move. Here are a few tips to help you move your piano safely and damage-free.
The first step is to secure the piano on a piano dolly. This is a special tool that has solid oak frames with casters (wheels) and long handles for extra leverage that strap on to the piano. You can rent these from many local equipment rental outfits. The dolly also has padded rails so you can roll the piano over rough terrain without causing damage to the instrument.
If you’re moving your piano up or down stairs, set up ramps along the route to make it easier for the piano to roll over them. Then pad the steps where necessary to prevent scuffing or scraping against them. If you’re going to be moving the piano over uneven ground, use plywood or carpet squares to smooth out any bumps or dips in the floor that could damage or scratch the instrument.
You’ll need a minimum of two people for any sort of move, but three or more is ideal for balancing and lifting support. You’ll also need to have the right tools and techniques to do the job.
For short-distance moves, look for a local movers who offer premium White Glove service. This service costs more than standard Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) shipping, but it provides essential services and safeguards to ensure the safe transport of your upright piano.
If you’re moving your piano long distance, consider posting a shipment on an online rideshare or peer-to-peer shipping site like Roadie or uShip. You can find someone who’s traveling the same direction as you and has space in their vehicle for your piano. Just be sure to review the rate and included services carefully to be certain you’re getting a fair deal.