Using the lyre can cause more problems. The lyre was not designed to
handle the diagonal shearing forces. I would hate to have the thin
vertical supports fail while the piano in half way rolled over, talk
about damage!

I experimented with a diagonal turnbuckle support between the inside
top of the treble leg and the lyre which took the strain off the supports.
But they still were not designed to support the piano and I would be at
the center of the keybed easing the transition. I stopped this endeavor.

I warned the local mover about the perils, but they were the 'expert
movers'.  I would request that a certain crew not handle my moves.  After
a few broke, they developed a new policy.

Some pianos they had been moving frequently for concerts did not break,
(one did) but the glue joints were weakened and the attachment mechanism
suffered.

I have used my plate lifting winch to ease some grands off and onto a
board.  But the bass end is still lifted or set down by people.  A nifty
support can be made from two lengths of 2x6's cut a few inches longer
than the leg. Attach butt hinges so they can only open 90 degrees. This
makes a solid support.  The hinges allow them to be stored flat.

Jon Page
Harwich Port, Cape Cod, Mass. (jpage@capecod.net)