Illinois or shallow supers?

[birdsnbees]

Just starting out. When it comes time to add supers how do I know whether to use shallow supers or Illinois supers?

[beehoppers]

Which ever you choose. Illinois supers are pretty heavy but you can use them for brood boxes too.

[Jeffzhear]

Which ever you choose. Illinois supers are pretty heavy but you can use them for brood boxes too.

I agree with Beehoppers. While I have hundreds of shallow supers, I don't buy nor build any, any longer. I focus on Mediums or deep supers. That's just what I do.

[Mathispollenators]

We have close to 2000 hives and my advice is watch your back. Do yourself a favor and buy shallow supers. Honey is heavy as you know and a full super is a load. If I let you load & rob honey with us one day of Illinois supers and one of shallow supers you'll know. We will rob ton truck loads of honey a day. With only a few hives it may not make a difference, but a back is a terrible thing to waste and you only have one to protect. Beekeeping is a wonderful hobby but don't hurt yourself doing it.

[dcross]

I would think if you pulled the heaviest frame or two out of a medium before lifting it would be pretty close to the weight of a shallow.

Lift from one side(not the front or back) with the empty spot away from you to keep the weight as close to your body as possible.

That's what I do when I have to lift a chock full deep.

[Michael Bush]

Mediums work well for everything. Eight frame mediums weigh less.

http://www.bushfarms.com/beeseightframemedium.htm