How to move a piano?

[Major Fallout]

My oh has been given a piano by her Mother and Father.

Apparently this piano has sentimental value to her, so this weekend we are driving to Yorkshire from Cheshire spending probably £100 in fuel to collect a free upright piano we could find locally for fee.

Anyway its an upright and all I have to move it with is a closed car trailer, its a flatbed so thats not too bad. But how do I stop it moving all over the place and smashing up?


Is there a knack for transporting them? I'm thinking covering it in pillows and ratchet strap it down till the sides are nearly bowing.

Anyone done it before?

[ManFromDelmonte]

Major Fallout said:

My oh has been given a piano by her Mother and Father.

Apparently this piano has sentimental value to her, so this weekend we are driving to Yorkshire from Cheshire spending probably £100 in fuel to collect a free upright piano we could find locally for fee.

Anyway its an upright and all I have to move it with is a closed car trailer, its a flatbed so thats not too bad. But how do I stop it moving all over the place and smashing up?


Is there a knack for transporting them? I'm thinking covering it in pillows and ratchet strap it down till the sides are nearly bowing.

Anyone done it before?

If it is on wheels/castors, as I believe many of them are, it might be possible to take them off, that should help.

[SlidingSideways]

When we've had to move ours, we ended up just paying someone to do it. They have all the kit needed and have done it many times before, which seemed preferable to cocking it up myself.

[RobinBanks]

I've moved a lot of big things. As long as you do it properly, ratchet straps will probably be ok.
Cover it in blankets so it doesn't scratch when it slides.

[stain]

SlidingSideways said:

When we've had to move ours, we ended up just paying someone to do it. They have all the kit needed and have done it many times before, which seemed preferable to cocking it up myself.

This. And they are chuffing heavy too!

[Jazzy Jefferson]

Major Fallout said:

My oh has been given a piano by her Mother and Father.

Apparently this piano has sentimental value to her, so this weekend we are driving to Yorkshire from Cheshire spending probably £100 in fuel to collect a free upright piano we could find locally for fee.

Anyway its an upright and all I have to move it with is a closed car trailer, its a flatbed so thats not too bad. But how do I stop it moving all over the place and smashing up?


Is there a knack for transporting them? I'm thinking covering it in pillows and ratchet strap it down till the sides are nearly bowing.

Anyone done it before?

Yep. Moved my upright piano. It's a pain as the second you move it, it goes out of tune.

This aside, I contacted a local delivery company to help me. Me and their driver loaded/unloaded and went in one van.

A Two man lift is doable, but make no mistake, they are not light in weight!

Once in the van, it had industrial foam losely wrapped round it, before being ratchet strapped into place. As you say, until the sides are bowing

Piece of piss mate. It survived the journey without a scratch. Getting it off the van is where the real damage can occur.

[Major Fallout]

Jazzy Jefferson said:

Yep. Moved my upright piano. It's a pain as the second you move it, it goes out of tune.

This aside, I contacted a local delivery company to help me. Me and their driver loaded/unloaded and went in one van.

A Two man lift is doable, but make no mistake, they are not light in weight!

Once in the van, it had industrial foam losely wrapped round it, before being ratchet strapped into place. As you say, until the sides are bowing

Piece of piss mate. It survived the journey without a scratch. Getting it off the van is where the real damage can occur.

Thanks, so its all the straps I can find plus all the soft furnishings.

[red_slr]

Watch a couple of episodes of Shipping Wars... that should set you straight...

[kowalski655]

Surprised no one has mentioned these blokes
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CNslTmBRuww

[Adenauer]

When you're struggling to carry it out of the house and have one of your hands holding it tightly on one corner, you really will notice how heavy it is as you bang the Piano against a wall with your hand in between.

Good luck

[soad]

Pianos can get out of tune when they are moved. It's a good idea to have the piano re-tuned after it is set up again.

Oh, and pick a day when it's not raining. I just had to say that.

[55palfers]

..and factor in the enjoyment while your children are learning to play it.

[Magog]

Not like this;

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-484496/Sec...

[surveyor]

I'm not sure I'd trust trailer suspension to protect a piano. Personally I'd suggest a van.

[RSGulp]

Instructional video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5XX9LX2es4

[Slartifartfast]

There are special dolly things to put them on that make them far easier to move. 50cm long, 4 big wheels close together so they go round corners. I'd lend you mine but It's up here in Salmondland.

[Jazzy Jefferson]

Major Fallout said:

Thanks, so its all the straps I can find plus all the soft furnishings.

Depends on the vehcile layout. We had a 7.5ton van, easy to fit it flat against the cab in the back. Think two straps did the job. But the more the merrier I reckon. The last thing you want is it coming loose!

Do be sure to check your piano, some have carry handles built into them on the back. Much easier in this situation.

[FredClogs]

My folks got rid of their piano last year, I wanted it but realised I neither had the room or motivation to get involved moving it, beautiful old thing it was and apparently worth nothing, my dad contacted all sorts of people an offered it free to everyone but with no takers, apparently most old pianos aren't worth anything at all, ended up being smashed up in the house and taken down the tip, the iron frame got weighed in by a neighbor - such as shame.

[boyse7en]

Borrow a couple of Chimps from your local zoo and put the kettle on?

What could possibly go wrong?

[bga]

RobinBanks said:

I've moved a lot of big things. As long as you do it properly, ratchet straps will probably be ok.
Cover it in blankets so it doesn't scratch when it slides.

We paid for a piano mover & this is what he did for our upright.