Tips for Moving a Piano With Casters

January 27, 2014

Ross Castors

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Pianos are one of the most popular instruments in the world, and are used for rehearsal, solo performances, composing, ensemble use, and chamber music. As a result, they are found in a great number of locations, from homes to musical theatres. No matter where it is located, great care should be taken when moving any sized piano; these instruments are valuable and bulky and moving them without the proper equipment or care can result in damage to the piano or injuries to the movers themselves.

Whether you’re planning on moving a piano, even one that is already equipped with caster wheels, across a room or across town, here are a few tips that you need to know in order to do it safely.

Moving Pianos: The Basics

Always Make Use of Casters- Moving a piano, even across a room can be very difficult because they are so heavy and bulky. It’s much easier to push them from one place to another with the help of caster wheels. If they are not already in place, attaching castors to the piano legs provides easy manoeuvrability and greatly reduces the risk of injury.

Hire Professionals- If you plan on moving the piano any significant distance, it’s always a good idea to hire a professional moving company to help you. It may cost a bit, but these professionals will ensure your piano arrives at its destination without any damage to it.

Have Help- If hiring a professional moving company is outside your budget, don’t try to move the piano by yourself. Instead, recruit a few close mates to assist you. Be sure to spend plenty of time instructing them on the correct way to move the piano however. If the piano is an upright, for instance, they should understand that the majority of the piano’s weight is placed at the back. This means the piano can easily tip over if not moved correctly. Also, they should avoid lifting the piano, which could result in an injury, and instead rely on the castors to transfer it from place to place.

Moving Equipment- If you’re going the DIY route, make sure you have the right equipment to help you move the piano. You’ll need heavy duty straps to hold the piano in place, a large enough truck if you’ll be moving the piano from one location to another, and a furniture dolly. Keep in mind that while each caster is there to help make manoeuvrability better, they should not be solely relied on when the piano is being taken from one building to another. A furniture dolly will allow for safer moving. Remember, though, that if you are going to use a furniture dolly, the casters should be removed from the piano first; when you reach your destination, the casters can be placed back on the piano legs.

Protect the Piano- Pianos are expensive instruments that can easily become damaged and lose their value. Protect them before moving, even short distances, by closing and locking the keyboard lid. You should also wrap the piano in padding and secure it with tape to protect against chips and scratches. This may seem a bit much when you’re just moving the piano from one room in your home to another, but think about all the corners, doorways, and furniture you have to pass. One wrong move and the beauty of your piano could be lost.

Castors, Padding, and Protection

Moving a piano with castors isn’t that difficult. However, you have to consider the safety and security of that piano, and the movers, at all times. Keep your piano safe; protect it with padding, remove every caster when using a furniture dolly, and make sure movers stay clear of the heavy backside of the piano.