Using a piano dolly for moving over some distance (not when transporting
miles away) is the easiest way to move a piano over level floor or ground, on
inclines or ramps and also for tipping it over a step or a curb.
When the path is gravel, grass, sand or any uneven surface, place plywood
over the uneven surface for the dolly to roll on. You need 4 to 5 people to do
the job of pushing the dolly and placing the plywood on the path of the piano
dolly.
When on an incline or ramp, the weight of the piano naturally transfers on
the lower end of the incline. It is best to assign one man at the lighter end
for steering and 2-3 men at the heavy end for the actual pushing.
When traversing a step, tipping and lifting is the way to go about it. Secure
a hump strap at one end of the piano dolly. Tip and lift the piano on its feet
over the step, piano dolly et al.
When traversing multiple steps ( up to 4 steps only) you need to tip and lift
the whole piano making sure the bottom part is not scarped in the process.
Each predicament presents a different approach so think of the best way to go
about the tipping and lifting. If there are more than 4 consecutive steps to go,
again, call a professional piano mover.
When you need to transport a piano on to a truck, dismount the upright piano
from the dolly, padded keyboard side facing the wall of the truck then secure
with belts on the truck's side.
Push the grand piano up a truck's ramp with the keyboard side on the bottom
end. Once on the truck, dismount the concert grand from the dolly, but not from
the skid board. When moving a piano, secure the grand with its top facing the
wall. Secure with belts on to the side of the truck.
Once you reach the new destination, reverse the procedure and add a little
piano tuning on the side once the the process of moving piano is almost finished
and it sits on new location.
