| Piano moving is not a simple task. Pianos are heavy, | | | | wheel dolly is in the center of the piano and that it |
| expensive and most of the time have sentimental | | | | feels balanced before you move it. |
| value. Hiring a moving company for your piano move is | | | | Using straps to hold the four wheel dolly into place is |
| probably your best option but some people move | | | | recommended for safety especially if you have never |
| themselves. There are a few things you can do to | | | | moved a piano before. Strapping will help you control |
| make moving your piano easier on your friends and on | | | | the movements of the piano without having your dolly |
| your back. | | | | shift around on bumps you might go over. Do not |
| The main tool you will need is a four wheel dolly with | | | | over-tighten your straps and make sure that the |
| non marring casters. You will use this tool for placing | | | | ratchets and hooks are in the back or in a place |
| under your piano so you can easily roll it around. You | | | | where the metal will not press into the pads too much. |
| will also need moving pads, some shrink wrap and | | | | Once the piano is padded, wrapped and the dolly is |
| ratchet straps. Buying or renting these tools and | | | | strapped on, you can start moving it. Have at least one |
| supplies will ensure your piano move is done right. You | | | | person on each end at all times and keep your hands |
| should also look into using a back support brace while | | | | on the piano at all times. When you come to a |
| moving this heavy item. Two strong people can move | | | | threshold or bump you need to move over, the person |
| a piano if there are no stairs involved. If you have | | | | walking backwards over the bump first needs to lift |
| stairs you will need 3-5 people depending on their | | | | the first two wheels of the dolly over the bump. You |
| strength and the weight of your piano. Moving a piano | | | | do this by holding the built in handle in the back of the |
| on stairs is not a simple feat, I recommend hiring a | | | | piano and holding the edge in the front. Lift with control |
| moving company for this task. | | | | and take it nice and easy. You should be able to clear |
| The first step is padding and shrink wrapping your | | | | the bump and set the wheels down with little strain. |
| piano. Use at least two moving pads to cover the | | | | The last two wheels will clear the bump even easier |
| front and sides. Shrink wrap the pads into place so | | | | then the first when the person walking forwards lifts |
| they will stay where they need to while shifting your | | | | the piano just enough to clear the bump. |
| piano around during the move. You may need to use | | | | Now that you have the piano out of your home you |
| additional shrink wrap on the legs if your piano is a | | | | can roll it up your ramp into your moving truck or trailer. |
| spinet. Make sure you do not pad over the handles | | | | I prefer using cargo trailers because they have a |
| that are built into the back of the piano, you will need to | | | | lower deck, this means your ramp is not as steep as a |
| hold onto these while you are moving it. | | | | bobtail moving truck. Once you get it inside, remove |
| Next you need to place the four wheel dolly | | | | the dolly in the reverse order of how it was put |
| underneath the piano. Lift one end of the piano and | | | | underneath. Place the piano with its back against the |
| place a pad under under the side edge. Doing so will | | | | wall of your vehicle and strap it down. I like to use |
| protect the piano while you're putting the dolly under it. | | | | three straps; one strap lower down, one in the middle |
| From the end opposite the side with the pad, tilt the | | | | and one near the top. |
| piano up enough for someone to slide the four wheel | | | | Moving a piano is not as hard as some people fear if |
| dolly underneath. If you do not want to tilt your piano, | | | | done properly. Take your time, use your head and |
| two strong people can lift the piano straight up and | | | | make sure you have the tools and strength for the job. |
| onto the four wheel dolly. Make sure that the four | | | | Good luck on your piano moving adventure! |