The key weights are there for touch.  Unlike an organ keyboard, the
keys are balanced in a piano and sometimes the keys are too light or
they require the keys to be weighted in the back for touch to be right.
I've also seen them weighted in the front.  _Do not_ remove these
weights, they have nothing to do with the automatic player.

The key lock strip under the keys is to keep the key bushings and
sticker felt from wearing out or getting sloppy from wear.  The piano
action gets a much harder workout with a player than being played by
hand.  I am speculating also that it might have something to do with
repetition.  The piano action doesn't have the momentum of the key
to overcome, maybe the action comes to rest faster if the key isn't
falling with the sticker.  Anybody try an experiment with that?  But
I think it's mostly to prevent wear and tear.

Tony Marsico

 [ European orchestrions and player pianos usually locked the keys
 [ during automatic play, so American player pianos did the same.
 [ I believe most American piano makers copied the designs of others
 [ instead of risking innovation.  -- Robbie