I don't have a forklift but run about 350 colonies on single bottom boards. Does anyone use a two way pallet. I would think I could move these with a hand truck especially with no honey supers on them as I run single deeps. Any advice or plans would be appreciated. Thanks Tracy.
Two way pallets
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Find a way to get the money to get a forklift and go standard even if it takes another year or two by hand for you to honestly accumulate the funds.
After being on pallets for 22 years now I can honestly reflect assuredly knowing that if I had done so I would have given myself a million mental tongue lashings by now for being so short sighted. Besides a good wife supporting a bee operation the second best thing a guy can have is a great forklift moving great equipment.
All those folks who do what you propose seem to fade into the sunset as everywhere I used to see them they never last very long as an outfit!!!
PS....... stay away from the loan sharks and earn the funds before you jump.
After being on pallets for 22 years now I can honestly reflect assuredly knowing that if I had done so I would have given myself a million mental tongue lashings by now for being so short sighted. Besides a good wife supporting a bee operation the second best thing a guy can have is a great forklift moving great equipment.
All those folks who do what you propose seem to fade into the sunset as everywhere I used to see them they never last very long as an outfit!!!
PS....... stay away from the loan sharks and earn the funds before you jump.
Thanks for the input. The reason I'm not wanting a forklift is that my beekeeping is mainly stationary. I do not do pollination so moving is not really an issue except to try new yards and move out of dud yards. With regular bottom boards I have to put them on stands to keep them raised up a little off the ground so that's where the idea of the pallet came from. I figured I could incorporate the pallet/ bottom board and kill two birds with one stone.
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I don't know about Louisiana, but here in Oregon there are booms coming up for sale from time to time.
I know of one right now for $300.00.
Its nothing fancy, not an EzyLoader by a log shot but it works just fine.
I have seen them go for $150 or $200 many times.
Of course, they have to be mounted on your truck so either you have the skills to do that or it is an additional cost.
Nothing wrong with hand loading, but after using a boom you will never go back.
I know of one right now for $300.00.
Its nothing fancy, not an EzyLoader by a log shot but it works just fine.
I have seen them go for $150 or $200 many times.
Of course, they have to be mounted on your truck so either you have the skills to do that or it is an additional cost.
Nothing wrong with hand loading, but after using a boom you will never go back.
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I use two way pallets with bottom boards for most of my hives. The hives are situated back to back. I like having a foot or two between the hives for taking off honey. I have used pallets with bottom boards and without, and liked the bottom board option better. The telescopic lids are the same with as the pallet.
I think trying to move pallets with a hand cart would be challenging.
If you are interested I will get a close up picture for you, but this is all I had on my phone at the moment.
I think trying to move pallets with a hand cart would be challenging.
If you are interested I will get a close up picture for you, but this is all I had on my phone at the moment.
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Not sure why you are not seeing the picture. Thumbnail shows when I log in. Let me know if you still can't see them.
Here is a pic of the pallet.
The second pic shows a screw sticking out about 1/4 of an inch. I place screws on each side to help hold the bottom boards in place.
Here is a pic of the pallet.
The second pic shows a screw sticking out about 1/4 of an inch. I place screws on each side to help hold the bottom boards in place.
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I use two way pallets and I think there are many advantages to using them. They are NOT for the commercial beek that needs the advantages of four way mobility. I use a lift system that I bought in Spain that is connected to my trailer.
I like the ability to work my bees on the two way, I like the distance between pallets vs four way. Most beeks that have seen my two way system are in agreement with my approach to movement an also treating hives that need special assistance. Try a few and you may be surprised at how the system works.
I like the ability to work my bees on the two way, I like the distance between pallets vs four way. Most beeks that have seen my two way system are in agreement with my approach to movement an also treating hives that need special assistance. Try a few and you may be surprised at how the system works.
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Allen, what type/size of skid steer are you using? Do you find it difficult to drive off the side off the side of your trailer and back on? I have seen a picture of Will Clark's trailer with an ASV50 (not sure) and he has cut down the deck to make it lower. I like the idea but I am nervous on a skid steer and don't like sharp inclines. Thank you.
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601 Posts
A New Holland L125. Very small little skid steer - 16.5 hp diesel engine. Lift is great though. Will lift full barrels of honey onto a semi trailer no problem.
Loading onto the trailers is usually not a problem. I back on and drive off. Wet clay soil and canola can make getting onto the trailer a bit of a challenge. I am thinking of putting a 2 inch rail on the outside edge of the ramps.
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239 Posts
Thanks Allen that and the picture were very helpful. I have a New Holland LS185B on VTS tracks and it is just too big. I was also worried about my Dodge 3500 dually being up to the work but I see you are running a 1 ton or 3/4 ton so I think mine will handle it. Most useful information I have gotten on this site in a while!
Would your skid steer handle 4 way pallets? Or what is the reason for going 2-way? Is it to get 5 across on the deck? I still have not committed fully on my pallets yet bit was hoping to go 4-way.
Thanks in advance.
Good question. Looks like 60 hives the way he has them. Wouldn't he get 64 or maybe even 80 hives on with 4 way pallets? Just asking.
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9,314 Posts
Pretty slick set up Allen
Heres my two hive pallets minus the "W" clips which are on order.
I used 3/4" plywood for the bottom, 3/4"x 3/4" strips for the edges and 3"x3/4" board for the center where the W clips are screwed onto. The runners on the bottom are 1" redwood fence boards that i ripped on the saw to 3 3/4".
I use the trailer and boom in the bottom picture to move the pallet with double deeps no problem! No more "putting your back into it"!!
I used 3/4" plywood for the bottom, 3/4"x 3/4" strips for the edges and 3"x3/4" board for the center where the W clips are screwed onto. The runners on the bottom are 1" redwood fence boards that i ripped on the saw to 3 3/4".
I use the trailer and boom in the bottom picture to move the pallet with double deeps no problem! No more "putting your back into it"!!
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239 Posts
I know Ian, the EZYloader is a really nice rig. I offered Herb $30,000 for the one he had or sale on the website, he was asking $36,000 and never even counter offered. A new one is $42,000 I think he said. I just can't see myself spending that kind of money vs. a skid steer and a trailer.
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