Bobcat with forklift mast, or without, vs Hummerbee!!!!!!!!

Chip, we aren't exactly in the right thread for this discussion but you just layed out a nice blueprint for how to get to the point of profitability in this business when you are starting from scratch. It requires a day job and the willingness to do a lot of work to reach the point of sustainability where you are right now. Job well done, others need to learn from you. Obviously you enjoy hard work, I can't say the same. I do it because it was the culture I was raised in and I live by the creed that anything worth doing is worth doing well. Let's see now weren't we talking about forklifts or something?

Thanks Jim, and yes this does belong in another discussion. To help get us on track, I'm about to head out, with my Hummerbee to lift some totes and do a little feeding. Chip:)

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Originally Posted by Chip Euliss

Thanks Jim, and yes this does belong in another discussion. To help get us on track, I'm about to head out, with my Hummerbee to lift some totes and do a little feeding. Chip:)

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Make sure those totes are half full you wouldnt want to break something.;)

Trevor. Not only were the totes full, I didn't have to turn a valve or race my engine to get the job done. You could have been sitting on the tote too so you could see first hand how it's done!!!!!

I have loaded many a tote with the ole Hummerbee as well. They can definitely handle them but don't try it on any type of a downslope. It might be a little bit more of an adventure , though, without the fluid filled tires.

Never tried going down a slope but did get the tires foam filled which adds a lot of weight.

Do the foam filled tires change the ride and handling characteristics much? I never considered the fact that they would be heavy enough to help stabilize a load, guess I just assumed it was all about never having to worry about flat tires.

There are different densities of foam and I don't recall what I put in mine but I followed the advice of Dean at A&O. I just asked for a soft foam here in town at the local Firestone and the ride didn't change noticeably, even last winter when I blew snow at below zero. If you opt to fill them, Dean could tell you which foam density to avoid. The stuff is very heavy.

So we glazed over the guy that played with the new Hummerbee. What are the benefits of it? Tell us some more then I just drove it.

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Originally Posted by EastSideBuzz

So we glazed over the guy that played with the new Hummerbee. What are the benefits of it? Tell us some more then I just drove it.

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Sorry it took so long to reply but I got busy. So, putting some fire back into this debate. Keith is ALL wrong and I'm ALL right!!! JK Keith :)

My dad was actually the lucky one that happened to be up in Michigan and so he was the one that got to try the thing out. I haven't seen it in person yet, however I have a buddy that bought one and he'll have it sometime this winter here in Fl. so I'll have plenty of time to try this thing out in the real world.

He said it was smoother than the turbo but wasn't really sure that it had a noticeable increase in power over the turbo. He tried to spin the wheels on some good sod but it would only stall the motor however it would spin all wheels on gravel. Our turbo will not spin the wheels except on softer terrain.

You do sit 15 inches forward from the turbo so you are a lot closer to the forks and visibility is increased. This comes from the new joint design with the trunnion axle. You also sit 3 inches higher which I personally don't like. It IS rated at 3000 pounds.

The steering wheel column must be tilted up at both positions if you want to get on/off the driver right side. The joystick works all mast controls simultaneously although when used together it does slow down the function. The joystick operates up/down and tilt while two sets of buttons control sideshift and clamp. The buttons were not hooked up when he tried it out.

The engine cavity is much more open in person than it is in the picture according to my dad.

It is definitely quieter than the turbo. You don't have that trademark whine since there's no turbo and not the extra gears in the gearbox.

They've added a lot more cooling capacity.

And it also has a hover button which allows you to hover when the terrain is too rough...JK

So it seems to be a better machine than the turbo and 1k. Time will tell

Hover? Are you referring to the load cushion? Or is it something more like the Jetsons,

> Are you referring to the load cushion?

I have operated forklifts at various times (never in connection with bees, though), but had never heard of a load cushion. So for those who don't know what a load cushion is, this link is useful:

http://www.cascorp.com/downloads/lin...0Cush%20UK.pdf

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Originally Posted by jim lyon

Hover? Are you referring to the load cushion? Or is it something more like the Jetsons,

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Definitely the Jetsons :)

Sorry if I'm off topic, but there was talk a while back about cutting out the barrier bars in a bobcat....bad idea. I tipped a bob the other day, that barrier bar kept my head in one piece. If it wasnt there I would have smacked the bucket :(
Having used both a bobcat and a hummerbee I wouldn't go with a bobcat unless you are a very good operator, the bobcat is way too bouncy. I have been using a tracked one, maybe the wheeled ones are better??? Hummerbee is just a better all around machine for moving bees IMHO.
Mike

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Originally Posted by odfrank

You can argue this forever...

No one tool or piece of equipment will serve all uses.

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Quite true, but this one but this one come close with over 100 attachments: http://www.avanttecnousa.com/avant700-overview.asp

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vl7fAslYOrs

The 750 with their straight mast can pick up 750 kg (1650 lbs) which is suitable for most beekeeping applications and they have a collapsible boom that mounts on the back for pulling honey supers and such.

Apparently some of their machines can lift over 3000 lbs and there is a closed cab with AC option.

The swinger has an air conditioned cab option but be prepared to part with around 40 grand

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Originally Posted by JBJ

The 750 with their straight mast can pick up 750 kg (1650 lbs) which is suitable for most beekeeping applications and they have a collapsible boom that mounts on the back for pulling honey supers and such.

Apparently some of their machines can lift over 3000 lbs and there is a closed cab with AC option.

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Can you buy that mast thing for the back of a 3point.

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Originally Posted by EastSideBuzz

Can you buy that mast thing for the back of a 3point.

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How about this one, and the dealer is not too far from you, in Union Gap, WA

http://www.edwards-equip.com/SiteDoc...-416.101ab.pdf

http://www.edwards-equip.com/SiteIma...20lift%202.gif

Yep.....I've got two of them, never used if anyone's interested.

So I hear the XRT was at the Ca. convention. The people I talked to about the machine said "they were not to impressed by it" "1K knock off without the quality" They also had to do some repair in the parking lot. I was just wondering if anyone was out there and what there opinion was?