The day you decide to move can become even more stressful if you have a piece of equipment like the piano in your home. Why? They are terribly hefty due to their large size, shapes, and unique features.
Wonder how heavy a piano is to move? A typical grand piano will weigh between 500 pounds to 1,400 pounds, while an upright piano at 48 inches high or more means your large musical instrument will weigh a little below 500 pounds or slightly heir around 800 pounds. Plus, they are really expensive. If you wake one morning without proper preparations, you might leave scratch marks on your large equipment.
If you’re considering the DIY route, you need to know how to move your piano. On the other hand, the DIY route might not be cut out for this kind of heavy lifting, especially when you have a grand piano weighing over 1200 pounds. One wrong move could easily leave you, your equipment, and your home furnishings with scratches. If you own a keyboard that weighs over 500 pounds, you need to invest in expert piano moving services to handle the job of transporting your enormous equipment to your new home.
It is important to hire a professional who is skilled and proficient in piano moving service in Melbourne so that everything runs smoothly.
Regardless, it’ll be best if you know how to safely move a piano in case the situation calls for it. This guide discusses every step needed to learn how to transport an upright piano.
- What you need to move a piano.
The first things you will need to transport your large equipment safely are moving supplies. While many people will think of cardboard boxes and packing tape as the two most important articles needed for a transit, packing this equipment is more than that. Some other necessary materials include:
- Work gloves – for a firmer grip on the equipment
- Weightlifting Dolly – Get one that can carry items weighing over 500lbs. A dolly helps you move the keyboard.
- Sturdy moving straps – help secure the device while the truck moves
- Blankets – keep the instrument free from the weather conditions
- Moving ramp – helps move the equipment through the stairs
- Duct tape – Secures any cover used to wrap the keyboard
2. Moving process
Did you know that moving even the most fragile equipment can be troublesome? Add an expensive item like a piano, and you will know that having a solid plan is necessary. To safely transport your large instrument, consider the following:
2.1. Measuring the upright piano dimensions
If you’re transporting an upright keyboard, before anything, measure them first. If you pack your large equipment without taking note of its size, it might not fit into your doorways, stairs, and truck. To measure your large instruments, consider the depth, width, and height. Averagely, an upright piano will measure 125cm tall, 150cm wide, and 60cm deep.
2.2. Free the path of movement
The next step on how to move an upright piano that you need to consider is mapping out and freeing the path. Navigation can be challenging, especially when your home is crowded with various pieces of furniture. Check to make sure that there isn’t any furnish blocking the walkways. If there are, remove them. Rome rugs to ensure your trolley, dolly or ramps easily roll on the floor. If the doorway is extremely small and wouldn’t stay open, get something solid to hold it at the corner.
2.3. Remove jewelry from the keyboard.
Almost every large instrument comes with jewelry pieces to keep them attractive and shiny. However, the truth is that this jewelry can be a pain to manage since it can leave scratches on the piano and even harm you. Make sure to remove them before wrapping your heavy equipment for transit.
2.4. Wrap the musical equipment
Since you’ve removed the jewelry and cleared the part, it’s time to wrap the keyboard. Get a blanket and wrap every corner of the instrument. Then use tape to secure the blanket in place.
2.5. Lifting the piano on a trolley, fixing and moving it
Another thing you need to know on how to move a piano easily because lifting this instrument requires specialized techniques. Whether using a trolley or a ramp, make sure you don’t lift the keyboard by its legs. The leg can easily break since it is the most vulnerable part of your large instrument. Instead, Lift from its corners, position it uprightly on the dolly or ramp and strap each end on your heavy-duty lifting equipment.
2.6. Using a ramp
If your musical gear is located in a room above the stairs, you’ll need a stair ramp to lift and transport it to the truck.
2.7. Secure it in the van
Once you successfully roll your large piano into the truck, you need to learn to secure them tightly to avoid moving while in transit. Make sure to position sited on the body on the truck to avoid damaging other fragile items packed in boxes. Also, don’t forget to hold securely to the truck’s wall with a heavy-duty strap. When you secure it, check that it is tight enough so that it wouldn’t move easily while on the road.
3. Moving advice
Now that you know the process involved in transporting your upright and grand piano, you need to learn how to transport them without leaving any scratches safely. Your large instrument comes designed with a polyester resin finish which can easily leave dents and scratch marks if you do not take care when transporting them. To keep your musical gear free from damage, consider the following:
3.1. Do not try to lift the it without equipment
We have already established that pianos are extremely weighty. Hence, you need to use the right lifting equipment to move them around easily. Most dollies won’t have the capacity to hold a 500lbs instrument, while some will. Get equipment best suited for your musical accompaniment.
3.2. Don’t rely on your rollers (if any)
Moving rollers will weaken over time. Plus, if they are made with cheap materials, they can damage the day you buy them.
3.3. Don’t move too fast
You’re towing something extremely weighty. So, take your time to move them to the instrument. Consider the floors and walls so you won’t damage them.
Conclusion
Shipping a piano is not an easy task; even considering a DIY job can be risky; however, hiring professional shippers will ensure that your expensive musical gear will reach your new home safely. Regardless, properly wrap the Keyboard to prevent the dents and scratches.
