Full Version - How to Move the Heaviest Upright Piano DIY

[@johnholmes7090]

Good job, I was a piano mover in Boston back in the 80$ nothing but stairs, heck we even hoisted pianos by hand.

[@e_8074]

John, for someone looking to learn/apprentice the art of piano moving, can you think of anybody in the Boston area worth talking to?

[@elmerrodriguez4988]

I am a mover, and this guy is impressive. Great job. Amazing!!

[@vinceadams1581]

That side of the piano is the lighter side. The other end (bass) is the heavier end, so he's on the correct side for lifting. If you put scale under that side, I wonder what it would read.

[@PackLeader64]

Awesome video guys! Do you have one which shows you moving a heavy upright piano up a long flight of stairs? Approx 12 to 14 steps? thnx

[@Growmap]

You need to build a piano board to do that. There are videos showing how it is done here on KZbin.

[@peteryeung111]

Amazing how he lifts one end that easily. I recently just tried that, embarrassed to say I can't lift it. Trust me...It's heavy.

[@JonezBBQ]

It’s all in the legs and back

[@SoggyDonuts79]

@ASHER HOFFMAN This is the second video I've seen where someone is moving these self-playing pianos like they're superman. Totall BS. I have a piano that's SO HEAVY and several fit guys couldn't move it. Late 1800's upright made in Boston.

[@gtrpimp76]

I just tried it. Lift from the treble end. One hand holding the wooden handle behind piano, other arm underneath the keyboard. Squat down as if you’ll deadlift, and hoist it like Schwarzenegger. It’s actually all technique and fulcrum. I still wouldn’t attempt without a spotter or helper. Once you get it onto the dolly, that’s already half the battle. Most of the weight on the upright is up high so if you get underneath its center of gravity, it’s not overwhelmingly heavy.

[@joedevitto6113]

This is amazing.. i have a spinet and can barely move it away from the wall to use the plug behind it ..

[@Towert7]

Hehe, the hernia costs much more to repair than hiring a piano mover. ☺

[@andrewns9141]

Exemplary! Wonderful technique.

[@Jennifer-oz8ec]

Wow! Amazing! Great job!!!!

[@joseixpertay348]

I'm a mover and move piano all the time but when it comes to stairs and second floor house that's when you going to need a second person to lift it up the the stairs!

[@ivandelossantos6003]

Impresive!

[@Spumastic]

Excellent job!

[@2009nom]

Do the action and moving parts of an upright need to be secured for an very long distance move? Thanks.

[@PhoenixPianoMovingAZ]

Not necessary in my experience. Do you redundant ratcheting straps and check tension every gas stop. All the best.

[@johnholmes7090]

Try and move that 4 flights of stairs in Boston

[@PhoenixPianoMovingAZ]

I will not even try. LoL

[@toesandsoles]

hahahaaa

[@CJFilms1001]

I'm seeing this and still don't believe it

[@antran4465]

Thanks. This helps!

[@reigngage]

I just had a movement and this guy looks like he's ifting a piano CASE .....wow, what a stud!....er its a prop

[@breth8159]

moving Amusement equipment all my life moved a few pianos.. . thank you so much for sharing your Technique it's amazing

[@ricksandoval1187]

Good. But always cover the piano fully. A person should not be able to tell what color a piano is once it's on a dolly. We tripple pad,especially Corners/edges. Those are highest risk (hitting stuff, doorways, rails etc). You're good. Which makes it harder to understand why you don't fully pad. That's the easy part.

[@danstrzy6111]

Why dont you have any padding behind the piano when strapping it (like two pieces of foam on each end)? And why don't you center the trolley under the piano to make the weight 50/50, making it easier to move on your own? That way you don't have to go on the other side to turn the piano, you can just stay at the same side using your weight to manipulate which way to turn

[@PhoenixPianoMovingAZ]

Good comments. I've been moving pianos for 24 years and learn a safer and easier ways to move them everyday. This move was my own piano and so a few things were done just to demonstrate that a real piano was being moved. Read on you'll see what I mean. When moving customers pianos I always use a large padded blanket and racket straps to stabilize. As far as the position on the dolly this is a 33 inch fixed wheel 6inch custom dolly that I typically position 60/40 so that one side is lighter then the other. This is particularly helpful when the heavier size goes out the door first you can push down on the piano to lift the other side over the threshold. Then the lighter side can be the lifting/steering side. This is especially important with the 1000 pounders. When pushing up the ramp I like the lighter up front so that as I push the piano doesnt caught and dig into the ramp as it bends. Try to push down low.

[@danstrzy6111]

@@PhoenixPianoMovingAZ Great response. As I read my comment twice I can see it comes off as being negative, this was not my intention. I work as a piano technician/tuner and also move several grands/pianos every week. It's just interesting to see how people across the globe do it differently. I do apologize if my comment seemed negative in anyway. I was rather more looking for answers as to why you do it that way rather then this etc. Thanks for good response!

[@Johannes_Brahms65]

It took me two hours once, to move my Steinway 1909 two meters in my living room.

[@lindakeilman663]

Amazing! You go young man!

[@nyrider8396]

Had a upright move once, two movers showed up looking like linebackers.

[@Tonysosa570]

Good video, but if that piano weights 1000lbs it’s not gonna be that easy to move with one guy.

[@MJ-qg1tk]

Very impressive!

[@samspianos]

Please do a side of piano on dolly move if possible.

[@earthangel8730]

You needca carpeted dolly

[@CJFilms1001]

Iron Man

[@PandzaMan]

Nope! That is FAR from the heaviest piano. We have a Hyundai upright and it must weight 400-500kg. That is some seriously light piano!

[@SeeburgMusic]

The piano weight about 700-800, and it's not the heaviest. One guy can do it if he's in shape. I have done this myself many times out of necessity, but I certainly don't recommend it. This is a sure fire way to destroy your lower back, as this gentleman will find out in about 10 years.

[@hardys677]

"destroy your lower back" that's complete bullshit, if you lift with you back straight you will never have back pain, especially lower back pain.

[@garrygarrett70]

I have done this same thing 1000 times over the last 4 years. The worst/hardest part for your back is letting the piano down easily. One issue is the handles are at different heights and every once in awhile you end up using your back a little. A 1982 Yamaha M2E recently got me during the set down. Taking a week for back to heal. Big difference is I am almost 60. 5 years ago I was in tremendous physical shape but I have been so busy buying/selling/Tuning piano that I have lost my routine band conditioning. I am exploring and seeing alternative ways of lifting one end of piano going forward. I do like the wide base of his dolly and may look into getting one like that.

[@PNWTone]

Wow. All by himself

[@joegarvey6179]

That piano doesn't look like very heavy. whats with the narrow screen? Is this some stupid new fad?

[@hardys677]

That's not the heaviest upright piano, black pianos are the heaviest up to 350kgs, this is bigger than usual upright pianos but doesn't weight more than 250kgs There are no upright pianos heavier than 350 kg (771lbs)

[@BacktoAzn]

Yeah, no more than 270kg, far from "about 1000 pound"

[@kristopherdetar4346]

Too many flaws in all areas of your procedure. You can handle a piano like this if you’re taking it to the dump. If you’re moving for a customer this complete moving effort gets a big fat “F” for a grade.

[@edwardpianomover9814]

How to wreck a piano!

[@andrewstaback7535]

I moved 1 of these from the basement with a team of 4 dude is an idiot for doing it by himself with not even lifting it the right way . But congrats on getting it done buddy

[@PhoenixPianoMovingAZ]

Thanks. 23 years of moving these by myself and my back feels great. Must be doing something right.

[@love2bloved]

Lies! 😂😂😂