John Tuttle is absolutely right that a "One Man Piano Tilter" is
essential shop equipment for anyone in this seriously as a trade or
hobby.  But I'd like to add that, when using one, weaving a "ratchet
strap" behind a post or two on the piano back, and then down and around
the framework of the tilter, and up again and snugging it firmly, is
a safety measure that will prevent scary and dangerous accidents!

(Like the piano skidding off the tilter and whamming on its back on the
floor, or getting stuck halfway down, and leaving you a-head-scratching
whilst you try to get the assistance and gumption together to right it
again! )

Take this one, simple precaution, and you'll have many safe experiences,
feeling quite "King-Kongish", as you deftly flip these quarter-ton
beasts about.  Also: the steel tubes that form the framework of the
tilter can scar or dent the piano back, so I put those cheap, slit,
foam pipe insulation thingees over them.

However, if the piano seems too heavy for you to tilt solo (a full-size
reproducer I recently tilted comes to mind!) ask one of your remaining
friends to help (who've not fled your association due to previous
piano-moving related requests), _or_ hang your body weight on the tilter
to get it started, as a counterbalance, _or_ try lifting the keyboard
until it's in the 1/3 tilted angle (where it should stay by itself) and
then running around the back and carefully putting it the rest of the
way down.  (I've never had problems with this method, but if it scares
you, please don't try it.)

Gordon Stelter