We move Pianos almost every day. I can clearly see the beauty of this product. Anyone using or thinking about using something like this must remember the pads. Without pad, this can get extremely dangerous. Great thinking Geoff. Excellent piece of tool.
This is a brilliant system. I am pleased that you stress that a piano is heavy and needs to be moved with care. The big downside is that your dolley has non swivel castors which seriously limit maneuverability.
No, the dolley has 4 fixed castors so when one person is moving the piano it doesn't go shooting off sideways on a slope. You steer by lifting at the end you are pushing from and turn as you do with a wheel barrow, returning to all four wheels to push in a straight line. Thanks for the comment xx
The dolly shown has only 4" dia wheels so is only suitable for moving around the warehouse and on flat paths. But for one man moving the piano it is perfect as it doesn't run sideways if there is a slight slop and the steering is as you do for a wheel barrow by lifting the end of the piano you are pushing from. But two men is always the right way. enjoy
Hello Geoff, congratulations on the excellent video. I - an amateur, am about to move a Yamaha U2 piano - 240kg I guess it’s similar to the one you are moving in the video-exceedingly heavy! Your technique in the video is just what I need. I have to move it over a 6” door step and then onto the tail lift of a Luton van. I need to build a dolly! Can you tell me if there would be any advantage in using larger diameter wheels, please? Many thanks Rick
@j j 2021 I took a 1 1/4 inch swivel pulley (from Home Depot), and drilled the pulley out of it's housing. I then cut a notch in the top of the lifter to fit the pulley, running a bolt through it after drilling holes at the sides.
Great piece of kit. I move pianos for a living & the old back is feeling it now. Something like this would be ideal for me as part of my piano moving kit. Would you consider making one to order?
Hi Alhambra. We have been using the same lifter for about five years and it is still going strong. Its spec is for lifting heavier than we need for the pianos 😀😀💙
Two questions: Some spinets have fragile legs. Would tilting it that high and putting weight on the leg at an angle strain the leg too much? Have you moved spinets with this? Second: to better secure the strap on pianos where there is no toe-block, could you run the strap behind the top of the leg beneath the keyboard? (Instead of just being extra careful and gradually introducing the trolley, as you mention in the comments here.) GREAT video, and I like the rest of your channel as well.
Yes, putting stain on anything fragile must be avoided. And the strap needs to located securely with the pianos weight being evenly distributed. Risk assess every lift. Thanks for your kind comments on the other stuff on the site
it' s a very great tool for loading a piano. I really want to bulit such a tool for myself. Can you please send me more details and tell me where I can buy the materials I need. Thank you very much. Which winch for example do you use, where can I buy it?
Harbor Frieght does not carry a winch suitable for this. The manual winches they carry can free spool AND the handle is on the side so it may strike the piano while turning.
Four fixed wheels means can be used by one man. Adding even just two swivel wheels means the one man must always stand at the swivel wheel end or again it can get out of control especially so if the ground is sloping👍
After the piano is on the dolly, it is also good to strap the piano to the dolly.
We move Pianos almost every day. I can clearly see the beauty of this product. Anyone using or thinking about using something like this must remember the pads. Without pad, this can get extremely dangerous. Great thinking Geoff. Excellent piece of tool.
Yes both the braking pads at the far end and the friction pad under the lifter itself are fundamental to its safety. Thanks
Can you tell provide a bit closer look and maybe a description of the Lifter you made?
It would have been very helpful if you detailed how that winch was constructed and how it works beyond what we can see.
email geoffgoodwin@gmail.com for instructions :-)
Thank you for sharing this video! I emailed a request for the lifter instructions.
Do you offer this for sale?
This is a brilliant system. I am pleased that you stress that a piano is heavy and needs to be moved with care. The big downside is that your dolley has non swivel castors which seriously limit maneuverability.
No, the dolley has 4 fixed castors so when one person is moving the piano it doesn't go shooting off sideways on a slope. You steer by lifting at the end you are pushing from and turn as you do with a wheel barrow, returning to all four wheels to push in a straight line. Thanks for the comment xx
The dolly shown has only 4" dia wheels so is only suitable for moving around the warehouse and on flat paths. But for one man moving the piano it is perfect as it doesn't run sideways if there is a slight slop and the steering is as you do for a wheel barrow by lifting the end of the piano you are pushing from. But two men is always the right way. enjoy
This is class. Great job!
Hello Geoff, congratulations on the excellent video. I - an amateur, am about to move a Yamaha U2 piano - 240kg I guess it’s similar to the one you are moving in the video-exceedingly heavy! Your technique in the video is just what I need. I have to move it over a 6” door step and then onto the tail lift of a Luton van. I need to build a dolly! Can you tell me if there would be any advantage in using larger diameter wheels, please?
Many thanks Rick
See the email but use bigger wider wheels for rough or softer ground 😀
where is the second video showing the unloading?
Hi, I'd like more information about you lifter, can I write you?
Amazing how that worked , lots easier than lifting that
I just built this and it worked perfectly on the first try. Cost was under $50 (thanks Harbor Freight).
@j j 2021 I took a 1 1/4 inch swivel pulley (from Home Depot), and drilled the pulley out of it's housing. I then cut a notch in the top of the lifter to fit the pulley, running a bolt through it after drilling holes at the sides.
Are you sure you got the right winch as the ones I use that are not a ratchet type cost me over £90?
Brilliant!
brilliant thanks.
Where can I buy or make this?
Can you provide the source of the winch;I only can find ones with side drive for boats! TY
Email geoffgoodwin@gmail.com for a full spec and build instructions
Geoff Goodwin can you give details of the winch (make and type) thanks
Great piece of kit. I move pianos for a living & the old back is feeling it now. Something like this would be ideal for me as part of my piano moving kit. Would you consider making one to order?
Hi Stephan please give me a ring tomorrow 07976 778112
07976 768112
Email me at geoffgoodwin@gmail.com for a set of instruction
Send your email address and I will send the build instructions and you can get a friend to do it if it's not your area of expertise 🙂
I would worry about those spinlets breaking with all the weight on them
Hi Alhambra. We have been using the same lifter for about five years and it is still going strong. Its spec is for lifting heavier than we need for the pianos 😀😀💙
Two questions: Some spinets have fragile legs. Would tilting it that high and putting weight on the leg at an angle strain the leg too much? Have you moved spinets with this? Second: to better secure the strap on pianos where there is no toe-block, could you run the strap behind the top of the leg beneath the keyboard? (Instead of just being extra careful and gradually introducing the trolley, as you mention in the comments here.) GREAT video, and I like the rest of your channel as well.
Yes, putting stain on anything fragile must be avoided. And the strap needs to located securely with the pianos weight being evenly distributed. Risk assess every lift. Thanks for your kind comments on the other stuff on the site
Wow, your lifter is great. May I email you for a set of plans?
geoffgoodwin@gmail.com
Yes, geoffgoodwiatgmail.com
Will this tool work if the piano does not have a toe block as the U3 does? I would think the web strap would slip without the toe block.
Yes but more care and risk assessment will be needed. I introduce the trolly and move it up step by step as the piano rises
See other answer please
What can I do if it fell over backward.
Get the help of two or three friends who work out with weights at the gym :-)
Wow, genius!!
it' s a very great tool for loading a piano. I really want to bulit such a tool for myself. Can you please send me more details and tell me where I can buy the materials I need. Thank you very much. Which winch for example do you use, where can I buy it?
Hi
Sorry for delay in replying
If you are still interested please contact me on geoffgoodwin@gmail.com
Many thanks
Geoff
Use a hand winch from harborfreight.com item #5798
How to use a hand winch
Harbor Frieght does not carry a winch suitable for this. The manual winches they carry can free spool AND the handle is on the side so it may strike the piano while turning.
Cool!
Where can I get the winch?
brilliant!
Do you sell these if so please message me
Why not use swivelling wheels with a brake ? It would make the moving more easy.
Four fixed wheels means can be used by one man. Adding even just two swivel wheels means the one man must always stand at the swivel wheel end or again it can get out of control especially so if the ground is sloping👍
I'm wondering what is the point of videos about these devices
where on earth can you get hold of one
If you email me on geoffgoodwin@gmail.com I will send you instructions of how to build one and where to buy all the parts you need
Did he just say that lifting a piano should never be taken lightly ... but with a British accent?
Irish
@@ordulf7193 No. This is a Lancashire (North of England) accent, probably the town of Bolton or within a 20 mile radius.