[pianotech] Upright Dolly Recommendation

[Dean May]

I really do not like the dollies that cradle the piano on the bottom board.
Pianos were designed to be supported at the point of the casters. The
support of the front caster gives a solid support to the keybed. Otherwise
all of the downward force on the keys has to be transmitted to the side
panels, then to the bottom board assy, then to the dolly. That is a lot of
stress that the keybed to side panel joint was not designed to handle. I've
seen institutional pianos with loose keybeds that had been on these kinds of
dollies. 

Plus, the bottom board assy may not be structurally strong enough to handle
all the stress. One piano I take care of has the bottom board warped up high
enough that the bottom panel is near impossible to get off to service the
dampchaser. I have to unscrew the spring clip to get enough clearance to
rotate the panel forward and even then it scrapes against the bottom of the
keybed. 

I highly recommend using only the wrap around style dolly that gives a
support at each corner of the piano. That is where the designer intended for
the weight and playing loads to be carried. 

Dean

Dean W May                (812) 235-5272

PianoRebuilders.com    (888) DEAN-MAY

Terre Haute IN 47802


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Terry Farrell
Sent: Tuesday, March 09, 2010 5:02 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] Upright Dolly Recommendation

A church client called me today and asked me to order a dolly for  
their Yamaha upright (don't think it's a U-series - maybe like a T-118  
or so). I don't have much experience with these. Anyone have a  
recommendation? I'm thinking something like the #4009 Upright Twin  
Dollies from Pianotek would do the job. Do these hold up? I see they  
have a #4010 heavy duty dolly with bigger wheels - but does that put  
the piano way up in the air? Any input would be appreciated.

Terry Farrell