To move a piano from a first floor to another first floor, using a pickup truck, it seems like a ramp, a strong rope and some pulleys, and a furniture dolly would suffice. Plus a basketball and pump (as seen on youtube) and a few boards.
Place the deflated basketball under the end of the piano (an upright) and pump it up till the end is higher than the dolly. Slide a log or stack of board underneath and deflate the ball. Raise the other end and slide the dolly underneath. Remove ball and log and strap piano to dolly.
Roll piano to door of house and use a 12' ramp to go down porch steps. (Only if a few feet, not intended for long stairway. ) First Rig a rope through 3 pulleys: one attached to the dolly, two attached by a rope to a board spanning the doorway. The free end of the rope is held while walking alongside the piano. Start the piano down the ramp and slowly let out the rope. The ramp will cut the force to 1/3 or 1/4 the weight of the piano while the 3:1 mechanical advantage of the block and tackle arrangement will cut it by 1/9 again. A 500 lb. upright requires only 55 lbs. of force. If the rope length runs out partway down the ramp, chock the wheels of the dolly and adjust the position of the pulleys.
Roll piano to truck, set up ramp and block & tackle again and pull piano up onto truck bed. Strap down piano securely. At new location ramp up front steps and roll to desired room. Remove dolly using basketball again as before.
Seems like this could be a one man job, am I forgetting something?
Best Answer
No.
The only time you should be moving a piano alone is if you can pick it up.
Whatever you're thinking about doing with a basketball is absolutely bat crazy.... I kinda stopped reading after that.