Stacking Cardboard Nuc's

[Sundance]

I have never used cardboard Nuc boxes. But
the thought of building 150 wood ones doesn't
sound appealing........ Even out of used
equipment.

After looking around it appears the Mann Lake
waxed ones are the best for the buck???

My main question is................ How well do they
transport in numbers??

Can you stack them safely? How high?

I've heard they are pretty tough considering.

[Sundance]

What do they use on the ends to beef up the
area where the frames hang??

[Beee Farmer]

bee forewarned after one season the vent holes in the back of the nuc will be chewed out by the bees and you must use duct tape over them and use ice pick to punch new ones the second season.

[honeyman46408]

I have some Mann Lake card board nucs and I dont think they have enough vents especialy if you were shipping them.

I had one once that looked like these it had a vent in each end that looked like plastic #8 mesh
http://www.mdasplitter.com/ordering.htm

[Sundance]

They'd be for 1 time only from my end. They would be
used for Nuc I would sell.

I like the idea of not having to do an equipment exchange
at a drop site.

But if they won't stack that would be a problem space
wise.

[Joel]

Bruce,
The ones from Mann Lake have served us well. We ordered from one other place, I think Dadant 1 year, and were not very happy. I can stand on the Mann Lake boxes (175 lbs). When we haul em home after a month in the rain and sun in SC we stack them 4 and 5 high on the trailer, throw a heavy bee net over them and then ratchet strap the them down.

Leave me some darn it, I haven't ordered mine yet.

[Sundance]

Thanks Joel.......... They sound like they would take
a lot of screwing around out of the picture.

[BEES4U]

I have used cardboard nucs, 30 years ago, without problems.
But, you might want to place a piece or 1/4" plywood between the nucs as you stack them up for moving.
Ernie

[jean-marc]

So Joel, how many seasons have you got from those Mann lake boxes? Are we to assume that the nucs are made in SC and sit in the yard from 2-3 weeks while they build up and perhaps make more? Actually I'm wondering how durable they are?

Jean-Marc

[BeeR549]

I have used them for about 3 years now.If you store them in the winter they will last at least 3 or 4 years. they are cheap, and you can sell them with the nuc to get money back on them. You can't go wrong with them for the price.

[BeeCurious]

Sundance,

The following web page shows MDA Splitter Nuc Boxes stacked 3 high.

http://www.indiansummerhoneyfarm.com/ click on the "nucleus hive" link...

The photo shows 5-frame nucs ready "for the trip north for deliveries in Illinois and Wisconsin".

The MDA Splitter Nuc Boxes look a little flimsy for a trip like that. Perhaps some boiled linseed oil would help to stiffen them up, and provide some weather resistance.

The Mann Lake boxes look really nice, whereas the MDA's are very inexpensive. Ask Mann Lake if there is a "Box Certificate" stamp on their nuc boxes. If so ask what the Edge Crush Test rating is.

If the MDA Splitter boxes can make the trip from Florida 3-high, I'm sure the Mann Lake nucs can travel pretty well.

Have you seen this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEqEG...eature=related it's a you tube video of a guy folding up a Mann Lake nuc.

[Sundance]

Thanks BC............ good stuff........

[Sundance]

Those MDA unwaxed are only like 60 cents cheaper
than the Mann waxed......

The added bonus for Mann Lake is shipping. They
are really close and shipping is like 1/4 of MDA.