How do those with tall hives get their supers off safely?

[Adrian Quiney WI]

This question came to mind as a result of the overwintering in three deeps thread from TWall. I am only 5' 8" and very aware of this when a hive gets above about 2 deeps and then 3 mediums. My solution is just to extract more frequently, but I have seen some pics on here of stacks that look very tall. How do you go about getting those boxes down from those tall successful hives safely? I have tried a step ladder, but didn't find it easy to break the seal, tilt, twist, and carry supers down. Any tips, or suggestions, or are you guys all seven feet tall? It would be helpful if you indicate how tall you are.

[AmericasBeekeeper]

Have you ever seen the pictures of Canadian hives stacked 20 to 25 feet of all deep supers. I guess they hire a strong young person that is not too smart.

[Michael Palmer]

I guess they hire a strong young person that is not too smart.

I'm not young, but I guess I fit the rest of your criteria.

[jmgi]

Michael, how often do you check the brood pattern in those tall hives? lol.

[adam@azapiaries]

Throw me in that briar patch!

[sqkcrk]

I have backed up to hives so I could stand on the tailgate to get to the top super. I took honey off once for a friend who had some really tall hives. Once enough supers were taken off we put a cover back on and worked the one next to it until it got short enough to work from the ground.

I also know beekeepers who lay tall hives down on their backs and break the brood chambers off of the rest of the hive. Then the honey supers are worked. Two beekeepers lay the hive down.

[beyondthesidewalks]

I've tried the tail gate method before. One time I backed a little too close to the hive and knocked it over. Oops. Big mess.

[Michael Bush]

A ladder is rough. If you have it in front of you facing the ladder you're too far back to keep your balance. If you turn around, the weight of the super is too far in front of you and you can't keep your balance. If you hold it straight over your head, of course, you get honey all over you...

That's why I moved all my hives down to 3 1/2" off the ground...

[Vance G]

That 25 foot tall hive reminds me of when I was once icefishing with my father and we pulled up a coleman lantern we had lost the year before. The funny thing was that it was still lit! Well, if you cut that hive down to 10 or 12 feet tall, I will blow out my lantern.

[Nantom670]

I was thinking along those lines also. My daddy use to sing a little song to me, it might be so for all I know, but it sounds like a lie to me!

[tommyt]

That 25 foot tall hive reminds me of when I was once icefishing with my father and we pulled up a coleman lantern we had lost the year before. The funny thing was that it was still lit! Well, if you cut that hive down to 10 or 12 feet tall, I will blow out my lantern.

With it being so wet, I wouldn't do it, you may never get it lit again

[alfredd]

Our Canadian 25 ft. hives are quite a challenge until you get a system going. In the winter we get so much snow that we can keep stacking the supers while wearing snowshoes. In the summer a trampoline helps to get the supers off the top.

[Bee Bliss]

Hire Sasquatch.

[Daniel Y]

A very effective argument against 8 frame hives.

I'm not young, but I guess I fit the rest of your criteria.

[adam@azapiaries]

We usually set up a tower crane and then swing them right onto the rail cars.(each yard has its own railroad system) We have set up a plant in each yard and then pumped it through 48" pipelines directly to port and onto the tankers. The problem is that Halliburtin has been so busy in the Mid East that they dont have time to run any pipelines for us for a while. I guess that is for the best, China is mad at me for cutting thier prices anyway.

[Vance G]

Thats unbelievable Adam! You are after all not even in Canada!

[Tia]

I used to stand in my wagon to get the top supers off, but what with the SHB now, I only put 3 max on at a time!

[adam@azapiaries]

Thats unbelievable Adam! You are after all not even in Canada!

It should read; You are after all not even in Canada eh !

[canoemaker]

I'm with you Adrian. I use three supers and swap out two empties for two full ones before the third one is full. I do like to check my brood and look for queen cells without having to move so many boxes.

[Acebird]

I also know beekeepers who lay tall hives down on their backs and break the brood chambers off of the rest of the hive. Then the honey supers are worked. Two beekeepers lay the hive down.

Do they strap them so the boxes don't break apart while they lay them down or are they stuck together good enough?