Building Commercial Migratory Pallets, with Pallet Plans

[jim lyon]

Jim, how far back do you set your 1x6s? I've seen plans that had them set back 6"

That should do it. Just make sure that they fit inside the clips so they "nest" properly.

[Keith Jarrett]

If you have lids that have cleats on top set your 1x6 runner back so they inter-loc with the lid, this keeps your load lower & fits snug.

[Keith Jarrett]

alot of nesting going on this spring.

[tefer2]

If you have lids that have cleats on top set your 1x6 runner back so they inter-loc with the lid, this keeps your load lower & fits snug.

OK, I get it now. 3/4 lower on each layer.

[Keith Jarrett]

Tefer2, there are a couple things you need to take into account, as Jim mention they need to stack when emty, they need to fit when boxes are on, try to find a happy medium.

My pallets are 33 x 48 we set the runner (bee way) back a 1/2 inch to not to do damage when loading. We also have about a five inch gap between the back to back of hives, this alows us to use our tool so when we fill emty pocket up it's fast and easy. We use W clips as they are faster and easyer to use, some folks think rought is a problem, but we wax dip everything that's wood so it's not a concern for us.

[sqkcrk]

So your runners(long 2X4) touch in the middle of the load?

[jim lyon]

Mark: We have our bottoms set back on the stringers about 1/2" (to net an inch of ventilation) and then stack the pallets together so they touch in the middle. We have tried leaving gaps in the middle but they always seem to shift by the time they get to the destination.

[sqkcrk]

Mark: We have our bottoms set back on the stringers about 1/2" (to net an inch of ventilation) and then stack the pallets together so they touch in the middle. We have tried leaving gaps in the middle but they always seem to shift by the time they get to the destination.

I thought that Keith was saying that his pallets are built 33WX48L which would mean that the three 2X4s would be 4 ft long,right? So, they are going to touch in the middle since the truck deck is 102" outside dimension, 96" inside the rib rail. I always have trouble w/ the boards touching in the middle.

Jim, do you use spreader boards? The kind made from 2X4s run across the top of thge load?

[jim lyon]

I have never used "spreader boards" they look like a good system though. I dont consider a load properly secure, though, unless there are 2"x6" boards under at least 9 straps and "v" boards front and back. Some drivers use "v" boards topped by 2"x6"'s the entire length of the load. It is nice but I think it is overkill. I havent seen Keith's pallets but I am assuming that the stringers are 4' and that he sets the bottoms back from the end of them a bit for ventilation so you end up with only the ends of the 2"x4"'s actually touching. Dont worry he will set me straight if thats not the case.

[Keith Jarrett]

Dont worry he will set me straight if thats not the case.

no worries mate.

Mark, yes 4 feet long 2x4s, if the truck that we load is 8 feet plus why not use it. If you look up nutra bee on the you-tube video it show the pallets well & me feeding sub by myself with out lifting off the hives, this can be done quickly "if" you have space between your hives. We do use 2x6 board to tie down the load (10) then cross tie the ends.

[Keith Jarrett]

I always have trouble w/ the boards touching in the middle.

Mark, I use 2x6 stud lenth board which is I beleive 3 inches short of 8 feet. This way your board won't bow, also we have the ends of the 2x6 routed so the strap fits in the slot.

[sqkcrk]

Cool. Thanks. Many ways.

[danno]

OK, I get it now. 3/4 lower on each layer.

Sorry Terry
That was one thing I didn't include with my pallet photos. The bottom 1X ? has to be far enough back so the 2X 4 fits in the front clip of the pallet below went stacked

[RAK]

We use W clips as they are faster and easyer to use, some folks think rought is a problem, but we wax dip everything that's wood so it's not a concern for us.

The W can be a pain if you want to band hives to a pallet. More rot in U than W.

[sqkcrk]

RAK, how do you strap your hives to your pallets. Friends of mine strap theirs and have no trouble. Side to side the lids touch each other, as they also do front to back, or close enuf.

[Chip Euliss]

Anybody know a source of steel ply in the Dakota's. I need to "re-top" some pallets with something that lasts longer than plain old ext plywood.

[Keith Jarrett]

Chip, have you try dipping pallet in wax to help extend the life.

[beenut46]

Chip I use the stealply love it but as you say getting harder to find even in Texas,noticed where some was using AdvanTech flooring which is in 4x8 sheet but cost around $30 per sheet lot more then the 25 cents ft for the used steelply.Dont know how this stuff would hold up ,maybe if someone has used it they could comment on it

[Rob Renneker]

I would have had that guy pose in front of it but he dosent stand still long enough.

That would be an understatement!

[RAK]

Side to Side works great for us with all U hives. I like my boxes and lids perfectly on when strapped. We use ratchet straps on white rope(rope used for pulling cables). A bit of sewing skills + chinese ratchets and you could make quite a bit of them.