In the Orange Groves

[pine_ridge_farms]

We want pictures of the tractor spill.

He said it, but I was thinking it! HAHA

[matt1954]

Sorry, I didn't take any. It was raining and cold and Law Enforcement just wanted the area cleaned up. The Tractor Was towed to a local shop for the INsurance Adjuster to examine. Fortunately, it is covered by insurance.

Yes it is my first time in the groves.

[RichardsonTX]

Thanks for sharing the pictures.

[sqkcrk]

Mike, it does, but the bloom is coming a bit early this year. We decided to move them into the groves early. We lost the tractor when we went around a bend and it slid off the trailer. It was strapped in well, or so I thought, but apparently we hit an ice patch or I am just a non-driving **** and we lost it. Insurance is taking care of it and the 20 Nuc boxes I had on the trailer as well as the trash pump we lost.

What? No unsecured load ticket?

[Mtn. Bee]

Sounds like Mark joined the darkside when he got pulled over going to the south!? lol

[sqkcrk]

I don't know why you said that. If you are going to play in the Majors you should be subject to the same benefits and penalties. Matt is lucky that damage to his tractor and equipment was all that was damaged. Fortunately no one died. Luckily. As I am sure he knows.

I lost 3 barrels of honey off thge deck of my truck and the State of VT sent me a Bill for an unsecured load and the cleanup.

I would advise matt and DC to keep their loads level across the top and covered by a net, noty a tarp, held down by full sized ratchet straps, not those light weight ones he now has. Also, stop and check the load, ratcheting down the load as it settles, especially when you stop for fuel.

Just a cpl suggestions. Things you will learn yourself if you continue, but can avoid learning the hard way if you will take my advice. Things others would tell you too.

[mmiller]

We want pictures of the tractor spill.

Yup

[Ian]

I held down by full sized ratchet straps, not those light weight ones he now has.

I love my heavy duty ratchets, no spring in them AT ALL

[matt1954]

Mark, thank you for the advice and as we grow we certainly will heed your words.

[Adrian Quiney WI]

It would be interesting to see what other suggestions the veterans have so that what sounds like a 12 hour trip would go better. It sounds like there are some basics that need to be covered that are elementary to the commercial guys, but are not on the radar of the inexperienced. It's -6F here right now. I wish I was in Florida for a week.

[sqkcrk]

Mark, thank you for the advice and as we grow we certainly will heed your words.

My wording is often undiplomatic, so I hope you know I just want you and your bees to travel safe and arrive unmolested. I'm sorry you lost your tractor. Looks like a small Bobcat would do you well. But I'm sure you will find something fitting to your nbeeds.

[toad]

Jerry,
I would suggest hive staples and netting rather than tarp. By your video all of your hive bodys slid as well as your tops. Staples are cheap and would have prevented that from happining. Chains and binders for your tractor!

[sqkcrk]

Even though I never use them, I agree w/ toad about the staples. Especially since you went thru and inspected the hives soon before loading and transporting. I nail my lids down too. Spreader boards help to hold the load down to the deck of the trailer, instead of pulling everything into the middle.

[matt1954]

Mark, you actually nail down the covers? Have you had any weakening of the boxes, tops as a result of repeated nailing?I know I need a Skid Steer and it seems as we are growing that I really do need to invest in my infrastructure.

Also, I am retired law enforcement. I have dealt with far worse un-diplomatic comments, writings, and statements. No worries.

[sqkcrk]

Aha, so you know how to talk to VA State Troopers. That explains things.

My covers are sheets of plywood. Most migratorys I know don't nail down covers. Though I have seen some really big operations that do. They use the same nail hole in the cover each time. Boxes don't deterierate that fast. From my experience.

[matt1954]

I also have special "get out of jail free" license plates. Worth thier weight in gold!

[Mtn. Bee]

I use 2 deck screws in my covers so the threads bite each time (just don't spin the screw by over tightening our it's all over). I use a dewalt cordless and go from pallet to pallet when I first get to the yard and loosen everything up and give them a little smoke at the same time.

Matt: how do I apply for one of those plates!? Ha Ha!

[sqkcrk]

I also have special "get out of jail free" license plates. Worth thier weight in gold!

I know how that works. I have a friend here in NY who is a retired State Trooper. Privledges of Service. Thanks for doing it.

[Mtn. Bee]

Mark I thought someone told me you were a retired state trooper that took up beekeeping??

[sqkcrk]

I don't know who that could have been or why they would have said that. Because I am not. Niether retired or an ex-State Trooper. I did play Officer Krupkie in my High School's production of West Side Story. That's as close as I ever came to being a Policeman and wearing a uniform.

Maybe they were talking about Joel.