Piano Trucks

[Will Truitt]

To the list:

 

Last year I was asked to install a piano truck on the Baldwin SD-10 concert
grand at a local church (the "flying nun" church - that's a nickname by the
locals for architectural details).  The only help I could have at the church
was the janitor, and he was pushing 80, so I decided to do it myself.  It
was a bit complicated, as the Baldwin had the large European style double
casters, which dramatically shortened the leg after you removed them.  This
meant that I had to remove all three legs and take them back to the shop and
shape and glue on extender blocks to the bottom of the legs before setting
them on the piano truck.  So what's a fella to do when he is all by himself?

 

I went out and bought 2 cheapo car jacks for 20 bucks apiece, and yanked the
other one out of my car.  I already had 3 large 12" x 12" wood blocks that
were about14 or 16 inches tall, which I use in the shop to elevate the piano
for stringing and damper work and such, so as to save what little is left of
my back at this stage of my career.  I put some pinblock stock between the
bottom of the keybed and the jack, with the jack sitting on the big blocks.
One at each end of the keybed in front, the other under one of the back
beams towards the tail.   

 

I slowly turned up the jacks until I had the all three legs equal and
sufficient distance off the floor, and removed the legs.  When I came back
from the shop with alterations completed, I put the 3 legs back on.  I
jacked the piano up a little further.  I assembled the truck and slid the
cups under the legs under the legs.  I feathered the piano down until it was
almost touching the leg plates.  I needed to play with the spacing of the
three legs of the tripod until I was satisfied that it was exactly where I
wanted.  Then I tightened the lock nuts.  I feathered each leg down until it
was starting to put weight onto the tripod, and went back and forth between
legs bit by bit until it was resting fully on the tripod.  

 

Having done it this way the first time, I would never do it any other way
again.  It is utterly safe for you and the piano, and you don't need no
stinkin' movers.  It doesn't even register on the stress seismometer, it's
that easy, fast, and safe.  

 

Try it.  

 

Will Truitt

 

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Garret Traylor
Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 4:49 PM
To: 'Pianotech List'
Subject: RE: Piano Trucks

 

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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