What size hive boxes are those with bad backs using?

[Paul McCarty]

I have cervical spondylosis along with several other issues. I have switched to primarily horizontal langs. I use my regular 8 frame langs mostly as single deep big nucs.

[StevenG]

I have some back problems, but not nearly as bad as some folks who have posted. I started 7 years ago with 8 frame mediums, didn't like the build up and strength of the hives, so reverted to two 10-frame deeps for the brood nest, and shallow supers for surplus honey. Works well for my situation, as the times I lift the deeps I'm dealing mainly with brood, and not honey. The shallows can get heavy enough, in a good flow. And Lord knows, I love good honey flows!
Regards,
Steven

[lazy shooter]

I have cervical spondylosis along with several other issues. I have switched to primarily horizontal langs. I use my regular 8 frame langs mostly as single deep big nucs.

Hey Paul, where did you purchase your horizonal lang hives? I would like to have a horizonal lang at my home in town. Thanks in advance.

Lazy

[westernbeekeeper]

8 frame mediums.

[Tohya]

I don't have back problems, but why not just bring a 5 frame nuc with you and move half of the frames to it?

[Paul McCarty]

Hey Paul, where did you purchase your horizonal lang hives? I would like to have a horizonal lang at my home in town. Thanks in advance.

Lazy

I build them myself. I have not found anyplace that supplies them. I have often thought about standardizing my design and selling it locally, but I don't have the resources to build more than one every week or so. Mine are made to be easily transportable and can be supered if desired, with a standard 8 frame super (which I hardly ever do). I actually have gotten more honey out of my long hives than my traditional langs at this point, not sure why. They do require a bit more management. Maybe that is the reason why?

Another reason I like them is that the crazy New Mexico winds can't blow them over - and cows can't knock them down.

[Gibbus]

I have a bad back, but I also have a 16 year old son....

[jredburn]

The solution for all of you with bad backs and those who don't want bad backs is called Top Bar Hives. No heavy lifting! Everything is at waist height. They are cheaper, easier to maintain, produce lots of honey if you use a queen excluder.
I am 76, have had a bad back for years and build my own hives, do cutouts and catch swarms. I make split frames for holding the comb from cutouts that fit into the TBH.
Regards
Joe

[Lburou]

We should form a user group for 'Back conditions'.

8 frame deeps and mediums.

[spunky]

Deeps and mediums- I had back surgery 2 yrs ago . I dont truck mine a long ways , use a cart for that

[MattDavey]

Here's my horizontal/double wide/long hive. It's the width of two 10 frame full depth boxes. It's working well so far.



Matthew Davey

[VeesBees]

Now that is a beautiful bee box!

[Acebird]

Matt, what do you think about giving those two covers some "A" frame pitch? A decorative metal strip in the center could cover the crack.

[MattDavey]

Ace, though about that, but it hasn't been an issue with rain, only a bit of water gets in through the gap in the center. Probably could just use a rubber strip, but just have a sheet of plywood that covers the whole roof at the moment. Which won't work if only one super is added. May just put a hinge in the center of the plywood...

BTW the entrances are under the front of the roof, if anyone's wondering.

Matthew Davey

[Sticky Bear]

That is interesting, and a nice job. Are you managing them like regular stacked hives?

[MattDavey]

Sticky Bear, haven't got to that point yet as it's winter here now. Have two queen's with a division board in the center at the moment, but likely to move one to a Nuc in spring, not sure whether I'll be supering one side first and then the other or just putting a single 10 frame box in the center and having half width (5 frame width) roofs on each side. If anyone has experience with this, let me know. This hive was built for experimenting with.

It's a nice height to work at!

Sorry guys, hope this is not highjacking the thread.

Matthew Davey

[Acebird]

It's a nice height to work at!

It is now but if you start piling on supers it is not going to be and then you lose the advantage of a horizontal hive. As it stands a horizontal hive can be a back saver but so is picking frames from a Lang. I like mediums over deeps because the smaller frames make it easier to pick frames that are full vs. partially full at harvest time. Of course I also like the weight difference.

[Lburou]

Mattdavey and & I agree about getting the hives off the ground. It saves your back during inspections for sure. It also makes it easy to see into the hive too. Elevated hive bases are the way to go if you want to save your back.


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[Acebird]

The chair looks like it would be used for interrogation purposes. I wonder if that would be acceptable at Guantanamo? Beeboarding

[danmcm]

I don't use TBH yet but the idea is nice keep the working area at belly button height no lifting think i will try this with the moveable frames... Bend at the knees, keep weight close to body, and move your feet.

Daniel
Maryville, Tn

Chiropractor