This is in answer to Ed Chaban's question about moving a Duo-Art.
My first comment is that there is no need to remove the upper action
for a move -- only for a rebuild.

My second comment regards the moving of Steinways, and certain other
grand players.  These pianos have a relatively large piece of wood that
flips down in front of the keys to reveal the levers.  Later models of
Weber and Steck reduced this board to a small piece that flips down on
Soss hinges, but Steinway always had the large piece of wood.

My point is that this large piece of wood is an irresistible object for
piano movers to grab as they lower a piano on its side after removing
the bass leg.  Since this piece is held on by three small hinges, it is
possible to tear it off the case, leaving the piano to hit the floor.
Do not waste your time talking to movers about this.  Nobody knows or
cares anymore.  Even if they listen to you when disassembling the
piano, they will forget when reassembling it.  Spend two minutes
unscrewing the board, and then replacing it after the move.

Aeolian had a method of screwing down the electric motor next to the
pump. This way, when the piano was turned on its side, the cast iron
electric motor would not crash into the soundboard. If the screws are
there, tighten them for the move and loosen them later. If the screws
are not there, get the right size (easier said than done). Other brands
of pianos are dealt with on an individual basis.

Grand players with drawers have their own problems.  Inexperienced
movers (the great majority) will always crush the lower left corner of
a drawer when lowering a piano.  The left, bass corner of a grand must
be lowered onto a raised cushion to prevent this.

One final remark: Although I have never experienced this, a friend who
is a piano dealer tell me that one big problem with grand players is
that when the piano is either being raised or lowered, the rear leg is
subject to all kinds of unusual forces.  Sometimes this leg can
shatter.  I will leave the rest to your imagination.

Randolph Herr