Trolley FAQs

Which trolley is best suited to my needs?

  »  The aluminium trolleys are adaptable from ‘two wheelers’ to ‘stairclimbers’ (i.e. from 1 wheel each side, to triple wheels each side) and vice versa - by purchasing the required wheels, which come with full fitting instructions.
  »  This adaptability should save some of the difficulty of deciding which type of trolley to buy.  Details and prices are available on request.

Which type of trolley is the most popular?

  »  Over the last 20 years, we have sold in excess of 800 harp trolleys.  The vast majority, and in particular those bought by professionals and orchestras, are ‘two wheelers’.
The reasons for this are:
1) they are very maneuverable in an orchestral situation, and anywhere else with tight corners
2) they are smaller and lighter in weight – about 6 Kg
3) it is usually no problem placing the harp, with trolley attached, into your car - this is a significant time and space saver.  These trolleys were the first to make this routinely possible.

What are the pros and cons of the ‘Stairclimber’ trolley?

  »  They do help if you have a lot of stairs or awkward sills to get over.  Even then, we would still advise assistance.
  »  A downside is that you cannot take a rest part-way up a staircase, or relax at all, until you reach a landing.  So, you will be carrying the entire weight of your harp until you come to rest at the top or bottom of the staircase.  The safest staircase strategy is always to enlist help.
  »  All 'Stairclimber' trolleys run on 4 wheels when on a flat surface.  Being parallel to each other, the wheels roll beautifully forwards and backwards.  However, turning a tight circle requires that they slide sideways on the ground, rather than revolve.  This can take some effort!
  »  The lack of maneuverability on the flat of ‘Stairclimber’ trolleys, and the extra weight are constant drawbacks.

Why not supply pneumatic wheels, as they must help over bumpy ground?

  »  We have experimented with these and, in spite of improved performance over smooth and slightly bumpy surfaces, we have not used them.
  »  Air-filled tyres absorb uneven terrain very well.  They also tend to bounce.
  »  Harps are top-heavy, and once a harp starts to rock from side to side (as weight shifts from wheel to wheel), you have to keep stopping to stabilize it.  If you don't - it falls over.
  »  Finally, sooner or later, you’ll get a puncture - and it's sure to be at an inconvenient time!

I have an Erard harp, and I am concerned that it will tip forwards too far on your trolley?

  »  All our trolleys require your harp to be tilted forward so that the rear feet are +/- 40mm off the ground.  Concert harps easily remain stable at this angle.
  »  Small harps, or relatively top-heavy harps, such as Erard Grecians and Gothics are less stable.
  »  If you have any anxiety about this, we can modify your trolley so that the rear feet are lifted just +/- 25mm.
  »  This is a ‘no cost’ option available only on the 'Compact' trolley, and when carried out from new.
  »  The modification is fully reversible – at a nominal cost for parts, instructions, and postage.
  »  Please ask, if you think you need this option.