Migratory Pallets

[BEES4U]

We need a good pattern for 10 frame migratory pallets.
Or, someone who can supply them in Southern California.
Mann Lake offers them on page 25 of their online catalog. They have a nice photo. No price listed.

We will be using the standard pallet with U shaped pallet clips. They give the dimentions of 47" X 32 & 1/2"
We:) can use some suggestions on a source or comments on the proper size.
We may build our own pallets. We need a good prototype to set up the jig for assembly.
Regards,
Ernie Lucas Apiaries

[swarm_trapper]

hey ernie,
we make our own 6 way pallets. just somthing for you to think about I like the W shaped pallet clips just so you get a little space between the hives they do not rot near as fast. and ants will make nests in between the hives when they are so close with the U shaped. regards nick

[Gregg]

Ernie,

I make my own 4 way pallets, dimensions are 47" x 33". I do buy the pallet decks assembled from Used Pallet Co. in Fresno, makes building them a LOT easier (Cutting the plywood for the deck and nailing on the rim is pretty tedious). All I have to do is cut the 2 x 4's to 47" and the 1 x 6's to 33' and whack them together. As Nick mentioned, the W shaped clips keep a little space between the boxes and they probably don't rot as quick, but I've found they make a stack of pallets 4 high a little wobbly (not good when loading a semi), so I use the U shaped clips.

A friend has a jig that works well and would be easy to make; just lay 2 x 4's down on a piece of plywood and attach so that the 2 x 4 runners for the pallets will be evenly spaced and 33" in width, then just have to attach the deck and turn over and attach the 1 x 6 strips.

Note also: Used Pallet Co. can make the whole pallet to your dimensions, will even put on clips if you want. I've just bought the decks myself, as they are a lot easier to haul from CA to ND than the whole pallet.

[BEES4U]

Thank you very much for the information!

Regards,
Ernie:)

[swarm_trapper]

hey gregg do you have contact number for used pallet company?

[BEES4U]

Used Pallet Co. Fresno
4115 S Orange Ave
Fresno, CA 93725
(559) 264-6664‎
You want to talk to Jeff.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&rls=com.microsoft:en-US&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Used+Pallet+Co.&near=Fresno,+CA&fb=1&cid=0,0,6619979149175766676&sa=X&oi=local_result&resnum=1&ct=image

They are west of Hwy 99 about 3-4 miles.
Jeff was very helpful this for me this morning!
Regards,
Ernie:)

[Tom G. Laury]

Ernie:

Gregg gave you a good steer you can't build them yourself for what used pal will sell them for. The w clips are what you want, u clips will cause a lot of rot also those black ants in SoCal that get so bad in late summer will nest in the tight space.

[BEES4U]

I think that I will go with this pallet clip.

https://www.dadant.com/catalog/popup_image.php?pID=837

:)
Argentine Ants. Oh how I despise them!

M01392 Pallet Clip "W" style
[M01392] $0.70
Regards,
Ernie Lucas Apiaries

[swarm_trapper]

get the clips from mann lake they are much cheaper than dadant i think .45 or somthing.

[wfarler]

Having never witnessed a migratory pallet what is unique about the pallet deck?

If someone can send a photo of a good example of a beehive pallet or a rough set of plans that would be greatly appreciated.
Guess I'm getting to the point of needing to prepare to move hives around.

[zigkid]

I too would appreciate a link to a set of plans

[1reb]

I would like a set of plan too
Johnny

[Texas Bee]

Me too.............

[tecumseh]

wfarler ask:
Having never witnessed a migratory pallet what is unique about the pallet deck?

tecumseh:
humm... I ain't absolutely sure of the language here either mr farler. I suspect they are talking about the bottom board being a part of the pallet itself. from the discussion some like the deck to be layed out with a gap between the hive which limits rot and ants. space conservation (and maintain a tight load on a semi) would suggest you eliminate the gap.

all of this is of course specualtive since my exposure to migratory pallets were more tradional in that the pallet we used did not have a bottom board incorporated int othe pallet itself. this meant that the runners on the bottom side of the bottom board need to fall into the grooves of the pallet.

[alpha6]

Here is what a migratory pallet looks like...however the ones I use are one solid piece of plywood instead of two like the one pictured.

http://www.windmillhillfarmstore.com/catalog.php/donragan/dt68861/pd1789145/Pallet

Don Regan was selling these on Beesource as he build his own with screened bottom boards as seen here.

http://windmillhillfarm.com/screened%20pallets.htm

There are pretty easy to build. Don't skimp on nails or screws...and replace anything that is rotten or get rid of it as its a bad thing to have a pallet break or fall apart with four hives being loaded onto a semi. And they can be real heavy if they are full of honey.

[Durandal]

Nick, how much you figure those 6 way pallets weigh loaded (you run 2 deeps or 1 and a halfs)?

I know posted above a couple months ago, but hopefully you are keeping tabs. :D

[Tom G. Laury]

The gap is important because it allows much greater air circulation when loaded on a truck.

[Tom G. Laury]

6 ways have advantages but a big minus is lack of visibility of the ground in front of you.

[swarm_trapper]

the pallets are pretty heavy about probably 60lbs but i use a 3/4 decking, but that really isnt too bad compared to a 40 lbs 4 way. i love the 6 ways much faster for moveing, they load better.
I will agree with tom on the point that there is less visibility but it really isnt too bad, the nice thing is in my opinion they are much more stable so if you do hit a bump you will not spill near as quick.
Nick

[Durandal]

What is the weight loaded of such a pallet, the 6 way?

Assuming average weight/colony quality.

[swarm_trapper]

maybe 650lbs for 6 doubles and a pallet?

[alpha6]

well...lets see...each double hive is weighing about 70 lbs so thats 140/150 per hive X 4 is around 600 plus the pallet...yep...about 650 per.

[Monk]

Has anyone used aluminum studs to configure a pallet? I've made 10 4way ones and they seem to work very well. No rot, very light weight. But have never used them in a migratory mode.

[Tom G. Laury]

I like light

Whatis cost for 12 running feet of al stud?

[Tom G. Laury]

in 8s or 12s

[Durandal]

Has anyone used aluminum studs to configure a pallet? I've made 10 4way ones and they seem to work very well. No rot, very light weight. But have never used them in a migratory mode.

I just checked the local stores and two contractors and no ones uses aluminum around here. They are all steel. I would think the aluminum would be pretty pricey...pricier than making more replacement pallets though I do not know.

[Monk]

My mistake, the studs are steel or some type of mix. At the depote they run about $5.21 for a ten foot length. On some I placed screen on the bottom and used an upper hive enterance. On the others I used 1/2 ridged insulation and cut some round holes(for venting) which I covered with screen, again used an upper enterance.

[Durandal]

My mistake, the studs are steel or some type of mix. At the depote they run about $5.21 for a ten foot length. On some I placed screen on the bottom and used an upper hive enterance. On the others I used 1/2 ridged insulation and cut some round holes(for venting) which I covered with screen, again used an upper enterance.

What did you do to prevent them from rusting out?

[Jim Stevens]

I made my own 4-way 10F Pallets
Size: 47"X33.5" with 5/8 decking and W-Clips.
Pallet weight,38.5 lbs.

There are NO bees in these hive bodys
I set this up for the picks only.
my Hives are on single BB untill Jan

Here is a pallet and a Jig that I made.
Install three 2x4 runners in the jig (jig keeps things Square)
lay down the decking (33.5" X 21 1/4" x 5/8).
The rim design is 3/8" high, for the opening.

I have a 4" space between the two decks, this prevents leaf trash and ants from building
up between Hives, and I can work them easily.
Painted with Oil base.

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u185/Jim-St/MigratoryPallets001.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u185/Jim-St/MigratoryPallets003.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u185/Jim-St/MigratoryPallets013.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u185/Jim-St/MigratoryPallets016.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u185/Jim-St/MigratoryPallets008.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u185/Jim-St/MigratoryPallets020.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u185/Jim-St/MigratoryPallets021.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u185/Jim-St/MigratoryPallets024.jpg
http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u185/Jim-St/MigratoryPallets026.jpg

I sent them to the Almonds last year with no complaints.

I hope this will help someone.

Jim.

[Monk]

I have never had a problem with rust. The first material I got was from an old construction site. I think the studs had laid in the mud for six months.