Lifting Hives

[BWrangler]

Hi Guys,

I'm back in Wyoming with a half dozen hives. And I have a problem. I'm back in the hive moving business. It's a necessity in Wyoming.

What's the best way to lift a half dozen hives into the back of a toy truck? I've used swingers to load thousands of hives of hives on semi's.

I've used a two wheel truck, with a ramp, for a dozen hives on full size pickup.

When in a hurry and alot younger I've just muscled them in.

But now I'm older and a bit smarter I hope :>)

The toy truck's 6' bed doesn't have much room for a ramp. And the thought of lifting three story deep hives, filled for winter, probably takes more gumption than I've got by myself. And I'm by myself in my beekeeping.

So, what do think? What experiences have you had? What's your solution?

Regards
BWrangler

Oh my. This is my 666 post! :>))))

[Michael Palmer]

So, what do think? What experiences have you had? What's your solution?


Oh my. This is my 666 post! :>))))

Another person to help you lift them? I used to do 600 a year that way...when I was younger and not nearly as smart.

By the way...The number 666 was mis-translated in history. The correct number is 616. You're safe for now.

[Sundance]

Dennis....... Is there a rental store near you? They
may have a pickup crane/hoist for rent. Or a cherry
picker.....?

[waynesgarden]

What's the terrain like? Any natural drop in grade you can back up to as an impromtu loading dock?

If the bee yard is going to be a permanent spot, perhaps build stationary ramps to leave at each end of the trip?

When all else fails, hire burly high school kids.

Wayne

[slickbrightspear]

not sure how much you want to spend but harbor freight had a lift gate that attached to a hitch the other day for 199 not sure if they are still on sale or not.

[USCBeeMan]

Tommy Lift

[magnet-man]

Been checking out Harbor Freight's web site and I can't find it. The do have to cranes for pickups but they don't really look like they would work well.

[Galaxy]

When all else fails, hire burly high school kids.
Wayne

That's what I do. Except, I hire burly university students, like an offensive lineman.

I'm sure you know, the last thing you want to do is hurt your back.

[Fuzzy]

Build yourself a hoist arm that mounts to the trailer hitch or corner of the truck bed. Then build something that will securely clamp to a top heavy hive and lift it.

Fuzzy

[BGhoney]

I have the hand crank, harbor frieght hoist. Built a plate in the bottom of the truck and I can take it in or out. Works good. If I was going to load them often I would get the lift gate..

[TodesSchatten]

a motorcycle lift would work

[slickbrightspear]

go to harbor freights web site and in key word type in hitch lift. unfortunatly they are off sale and are 299 but as much as you say you move it would be a good investment and you could use it to load more than hives furniture and other things as well

[BoBn]

I bought one of these folding cranes for one of our work trucks about 3 years ago. It was expensive, but is absolutely top quality:
http://www.westernmule.com/bumper_cranes.html

[wfarler]

Don't know if these are any good or not but found this one:

http://www.easyrack.org/hitch-lift-p-834.html

[Sundance]

My guess is that bwrangler is looking for a one time
solution that doesn't involve a load of cash. But I
could be misinterpreting that.

The ultimate answer is to hire another body, but
that may not be an option.

[magnet-man]

Harbor Freight lift gets my vote even if it is not on sale. Here is the link since someone else decided not to post it. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47591 It is a lot more affordable than those bolt on lifts and you get to keep your factory tail gate to boot.

The ultimate answer is to hire another body, but that may not be an option.

Finding a dependable body is also a hard thing to do.

[JoeMcc]

Harbor Freight lift gets my vote even if it is not on sale. Here is the link since someone else decided not to post it. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47591 It is a lot more affordable than those bolt on lifts and you get to keep your factory tail gate to boot.
Finding a dependable body is also a hard thing to do.

Hmmm thats tempting. I might have to look into that.

JoeMcc

[slickbrightspear]

sorry I would post them but I have difficulty doing so. I apologize

[JoeMcc]

I would like one that can lift a barrel of honey/syrup though.... whats that close to 700#?

Then again.... for the price... if it works good I could haul 2 half barrels.

JoeMcc

[magnet-man]

Here is a link that shows some really good pictures of how the lift is made. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-U...QQcmdZViewItem