Piano Trucks

[Garret Traylor]

Will somebody hit me in the back of the head with a skillet!  All the years
that I have watched others and contemplated installing a piano truck, I
never thought to wedge up the truck leg.  It is really very funny to watch
this procedure when it is done the wrong way.  Several people piled up under
the piano trying to hold down an extension.  Like playing a game of twister.
Too funny.  Thanks for the tip.  Wonder why truck manufacturers have never
thought to a this to their directions?

Kindest Regards,

Garret 

---

Garret Traylor - President

High Point Piano & Music Inc.

88-PIANO (336) 887-4266

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Andrew and Rebeca Anderson
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 4:58 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: Piano Trucks

 

Install of piano-truck (spider).

Before you begin: 

ascertain height of leg off of floor with caster check against height of
truck piano-leg-receiver 

(tall casters will be higher than the truck and the lyre may rest or
occasionally scrape on the floor, make plans/parts for any corrective
measures, even if the lyre just clears the floor the pianist will hate
pedals that are too close to the floor to comfortably operate) 

make a pair of wedges to fit between the floor and the truck leg-receiver 

(paint these black and keep for use in concerts, there is too much spring in
a truck) 

setup a jack and timber (or better get the jack-the-box) system to support
the piano 

layout and loosely assemble the truck under the piano next to the legs 

(loosely means that the bolts are loose enough you can adjust the angle of
the legs and the length of the arms) 

Install 

1.) Jack up whichever corner you want to start on and pull the caster 

Sometimes easier said then done, be prepared to remove the leg and work on
it 

2.) Roll the truck under the leg. 

3.) This part is important wedge up the truck leg-receiver FIRST 

4.) Then let the piano down on to the truck. 

Go to the next leg and repeat steps 1 to 4. 

Go to the next leg and set it as well. 

(when you set down the third leg you can free up all the wedges) 

Straiten the spider (truck) out.  Sit on the center and tighten the bolts. 

Put the casters in a labeled box and give to the customer with the
admonition not to lose them. 

(When they want to sell the piano and put a new one on the truck you do not
want to be left holding the bag for the missing casters.  If in doubt
spray-paint the box black and tape it to the center of the spider.) 

Dust yourself off and turn in the bill, or better, collect the money.
Always get a down-payment on the spider before ordering.  Institutions can
be fickle and knowing who actually has authority to order it and pay you
becomes crystal clear when you are actually holding the deposit cheque in
your hand.  If they are worried about you, offer to have it shipped directly
to them.  Especially if you drive a motorcycle or a little car.

Have fun and remember to quickly dodge that spider when you forget to wedge
up the foot.

Andrew Anderson

At 01:27 PM 6/6/2008, you wrote:



Greetings all,
 
Has anyone installed, or seen installed, a grand piano truck?  Those of you
with any experience in that area, can you 'zap' me an e-mail so we can
'chat' about it?
 
I would greatly appreciate it, and thanks!
Matthew

 

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