Moving bees

[Dan Williamson]

I'm contemplating pallets either next year or the following year. A friend has a bobcat and said he'd be willing to let me rent it whenever I need it until I get my own.

My questions is ... when moving bees on pallets... do you guys strap the hives to the pallets w/ metal banding? I've seen some commercial guys who do it and others who do not. What is the consensus? Seems like alot of work if you have alot of hives.

What is used to strap down the hives on flatbeds? Rachet types straps I assume but haven't seen it done.

Thx

[JohnK and Sheri]

When we first moved bees we used to actually screw the hives to standard cargo pallets, lol, wow talk about a PITA.
Now we have clip pallets, which keeps the bees from moving around. And yes, ratchet straps to hold the pallet stacks to the flat bed.
Sheri

[jean-marc]

Dan:

Banding pallets is a lot of work. We do it only when we go to a pollination job in southern Alberta. We send them 3 high. Boxes shift too much if the are not strapped. When only 2 high it's not a problem. Like John and Sheri our pallets have clips. If I were to do it over I would get the clips that do not have that 1/2 inch gap between them, this way the boxes would touch each other. The advantage is when tying down you can go front to back with the tie-downs, so only 4 are needed. My boxes are dipped in paraffin and rosen so even in the damp climate we experience here the boxes would not rot if they touch each other.

Jean-Marc

[Dan Williamson]

I know people use pallet clips but I have still seen some people use banding with pallet clips... and I wasn't sure why that was necessary and/or if that was typical.

[Keith Jarrett]

Dan,

Some keepers that move from there summer spots down to there winter yards will ban them for these reasons.

To keep the pallets From shifting,

To ensure that who's ever at the other end can unload easyer.

Also, they may not be traveling to see them for months or so, there winter yards and the straps will keep the cows, wind (lids) ect.. from disturbing them. This happens often when out-of -staters move to Calif for winter and send bees out but the owners may not come for months.

[Keith Jarrett]

Dan:

If I were to do it over I would get the clips that do not have that 1/2 inch gap between them, this way the boxes would touch each other. The advantage is when tying down you can go front to back with the tie-downs, so only 4 are needed. Jean-Marc

Hi JM,
We have the space between ours and we tie down front to back with four straps and a three high loads with out any problems.

I like the space because it keeps the over lapping down when working the hives.

[Gregg]

When I'm moving bees from my holding yard to regular locations (farthest away are about 15 - 20 miles), I don't bother tieing or strapping the pallets to the truck, just put them on (64 hives at a time, 2 pallets high) and away I go. They are heavy enough to stay put as long as you aren't taking corners real fast. Biggest concern is with covers coming off (especially front row, above the truck cab, get caught by the wind).

As far as type of clips, I have some pallets with the U shape, and some with the W shape. When building new pallets, I use the U shape; I have found pallets with the W shape can cause a stack of pallets to be somewhat tippy, important when loading a semi with a stack of 4 pallets high.

[JohnK and Sheri]

We like the space between the boxes too. We can strap front to back without problems. We like them also because we can pressure wash between the boxes prior to hitting the road to California, don't want to give those border guys any excuses to pull them over for noxious weeds or ants or other current pest a la mode.
Sheri

[sqkcrk]

I know people use pallet clips but I have still seen some people use banding with pallet clips... and I wasn't sure why that was necessary and/or if that was typical.

The guys that I know who send their bees to Maine for blueberry pollination strap their hive bodies to the pallet. This makes it more likely that the guy who is unloading the semi won't throw the hives off of the pallet. They often try to unload as fast as they can. They have lots of loads to unload.

The hives are also ferried out to their locations on smaller truck w/out strapping each row. Another time saving technique, I guess. So, if the hives are strapped to the pallet you're less apt to loose them on the bumpy roads.

I don't strap mine to the pallets and the other larger commercial outfits I'm familiar w/ don't either except as described above.

[greenbeekeeping]

Hi Dan. Why wait till next year throw them on pallets this fall. I use the U shaped clip pallets. I don't strap them to the pallet. When moving bees I net them down and use ratchets straps usually one per pallet to hold them down. 64 hives a load.

[Ian]

>>do you guys strap the hives to the pallets w/ metal banding?

Yup, and swear by it!
Yes it takes a bit more time, but it pays,
I dont have fancy pallets, I dont move my hives around as much as you southern folks might, but I do chase some flows, and I do move hives into wintering sheds in fall.
There is nothing worse than having your hives falling off your trailer, strapping gives you a good piece of mind.
It makes for easier loading and unloading.

[Dan Williamson]

Hi Dan. Why wait till next year throw them on pallets this fall. I use the U shaped clip pallets. I don't strap them to the pallet. When moving bees I net them down and use ratchets straps usually one per pallet to hold them down. 64 hives a load.

Hey Matt,

Well its not a loader that's holding me back. Its a flatbed truck. I'm trying to grow the business w/out taking out loans so the money isn't there yet. On top of that the price of fuel is a limiting variable on a bigger truck like that. I'd rather wait until my hive count is up and I can have the business pay for the equipment. Sure I can take money from my personal finances to pay for one... but if the business itself is not self-sustainable then I'm throwing money at a losing proposition. I need for the business to prove that it can generate the necessary revenue to pay for growth.

In the meantime, its alot of work.

How are you liking your swinger?

[jean-marc]

Keith and Sheri

It's nice to know some folks strap their loads front to back even with gaps built in to the pallet clips. I never tried as I thought the boxes may seperate and shift. Something to try.

Jean-Marc

[alpha6]

Gregg says "When I'm moving bees from my holding yard to regular locations (farthest away are about 15 - 20 miles), I don't bother tieing or strapping the pallets to the truck, just put them on (64 hives at a time, 2 pallets high) and away I go."

Around here the state patrol has a thing about any load being tied down. We net and tie them, though they prefer you use straps.

[Gregg]

alpha6,

Probably true here also (I believe bees have to be netted on the interstate), but I'm traveling out on gravel back roads where I'm placing my bees. No incidences in 10+ years.

[greenbeekeeping]

Hey Dan. Like the swinger alot. It sure comes in handy. I did sink it up to the axles the other day though. Haha. Still has some stuff that I want to do to it. Slowly but surely.

[alpha6]

Hey Gregg those the same back roads you run your moonshine on?

[J-Bees]

Hey Matt,

Well its not a loader that's holding me back. Its a flatbed truck. I'm trying to grow the business w/out taking out loans so the money isn't there yet. On top of that the price of fuel is a limiting variable on a bigger truck like that. I'd rather wait until my hive count is up and I can have the business pay for the equipment. Sure I can take money from my personal finances to pay for one... but if the business itself is not self-sustainable then I'm throwing money at a losing proposition. I need for the business to prove that it can generate the necessary revenue to pay for growth.

In the meantime, its alot of work.

How are you liking your swinger?

Dan,

I was thinking about getting an old school bus making a place for hives at each window mount them and open or close the windows as needed.

never have to unload again:}:}

[alpha6]

That ideas so crazy....IT JUST MIGHT WORK!!!!

[Trevor Mansell]

Some people in Fl take school busses and turn them into flatbeds. They are cheap to buy and easy to work on. They actually pull pretty good thru the sand.