Just a thought...................

[REDWOOD]

I don't know!

I'm taking them off the hives tomorrow - a measly six supers I fear.

As you know, access is via a narrow circular stone staircase, and a doorway narrower than a super. Last year we had half as many supers. We did it by putting frames in plastic bags, getting our long-term unemployed volunteers to stand every 10 steps, and handing the frames down one by one.

I'd hoped for about 12 supers - then challenge the local university engineering course to design a way of getting them down without harming the building. But it doesn't seem worth it for 6 supers.

We might have to resort to slave labour again.

Dusty

Block & tackle springs to mind.

 

[pargyle]

Just a thought, how do you get the full supers off the roof ?

Where were you last year ?

We had lots of fun with this ... 8 pages of absolutely EXCELLENT ideas to help Dusty out ...Sadly all rejected ... I quite liked the parachute suggestion ...

http://www.beekeepingforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=25721

 

[wessexmario]

As you know, access is via a narrow circular stone staircase, and a doorway narrower than a super.
...
We might have to resort to slave labour again.
Dusty

Dusty,
I have a solution...
actually, I found the solution in your forum signature !


Take a super off, complete with frames inside, put it on top of a crown board, and then put another crown board on top of the super, noting which way the frames are going. Tie / strap the sandwich together.

Tilt the super on it's side, so that the frames are running vertical, lift and carry on chest, with the thinner now vertical side towards you, hands underneath, chin on top. In this orientation the super is thinner than the person carrying it, so will fit down the narrow staircase.

 

[Dusty Rhodes]

Thank you for the idea and the graphics, wessexmario.

I confess, I'd not thought of that one.

It might work - but with perhaps 3 frames at a time.

The problems are, you see, weight and the nature of the stairs.

Being a stone spiral, the steps are moderately wide at one side, down to nothing at the other. They are also quite steep. This makes them hazardous to negotiate. There is a thick rope winding round the central column, from top to bottom, to hold with one hand on the descent. So you are limited in what can be held in the other hand.

It's possible to go down backwards - but incredibly awkward. Because of going down a spiral, your feet have to be at one angle, your body twisted at say 45 degrees, and your hands, with whatever is in them, at shoulder height and 90 degrees to your feet! And the feet never seem to get the step right!

Then there is the problem of the frames banging round and releasing a slippery, sticky stream of honey down the stairs - rendering them lethal and unpleasant. (Which is why we bagged each frame last time.)

Hmm. Might need that parachute after all.

Dusty.

 

[kazmcc]

If you need a hand, just shout.

 

[alanf]

Poundshop vacuum bags work quite well as big zip lock bags for a super. They stop drips and a design to be airtight reduces the problems with bees being attracted by the smell. If you can suck some air out, they fit snugly and hold the frames in position - particularly if you use castellations. Tilting a sealed super isn't a problem once it's bagged. Handling full supers I'd be looking to bag and strap to give some hand holds.

If there is no way of handling full supers, you're inevitably into smaller container range. Depends how much money you can spend but the 5 frame poly nucs sold by the likes of Thornes with a strap around look like a lightweight if bulkier-than-needed possibility. Otherwise a custom 5 frame lightweight ply box with a carry strap might be your best bet.

 

[wessexmario]

Get hold of a old framed rucksack with a waist belt.
Take the bag off, build and attach a frame carrier / box.
With shoulder and waist straps you'll be able to carry a lot of weight much more safely with both hands free.

 

[Hachi]

Poundshop vacuum bags work quite well as big zip lock bags for a super. They stop drips and a design to be airtight reduces the problems with bees being attracted by the smell. If you can suck some air out, they fit snugly and hold the frames in position - particularly if you use castellations. Tilting a sealed super isn't a problem once it's bagged. Handling full supers I'd be looking to bag and strap to give some hand holds.

If there is no way of handling full supers, you're inevitably into smaller container range. Depends how much money you can spend but the 5 frame poly nucs sold by the likes of Thornes with a strap around look like a lightweight if bulkier-than-needed possibility. Otherwise a custom 5 frame lightweight ply box with a carry strap might be your best bet.

Alan Have you a picture of the box they come in? Zip lock bags that size will be really useful this winter

 

[psafloyd]

why are people still doing regular inspections? I've only done a handful of inspections since early August...
There comes a time when the beekeeper must stop fiddling and let the bees get on with it.

 

[psafloyd]

Only been through ones where there looked to be a problem and that was confirmed. Rest al left to get on with it.

 

[TryingToLetThemBee]

Only been through ones where there looked to be a problem and that was confirmed. Rest al left to get on with it.

I'm messing around in my nucs, I am afraid; still making increase in light of the drones my strongest colony is producing, digesting recent increase, taking care of the hopelessly Q- etc.

But I only know about the drones because I had left some frames misaligned and went in shallow to straighten up. My second production colony this year is a sealed book; hope they're OK...

 

[BILL.HEARD]

just seeing the perrennial panic starting - queen cells, queen slow laying, little brood etc.etc.
Just a thought really - why are people still doing regular inspections? I've only done a handful of inspections since early August - and that was for good reason (have one out of nineteen to check today and that's it!)
If people didn't inspect and then panic what would be the odds of the bees sorting themselves out and all would be hunky dory in the spring (maybe the odd 'unmarked' queen and that's it)
There comes a time when the beekeeper must stop fiddling and let the bees get on with it.

Just one today that looked externally in need of inspection and has now been re-queened.

 

[maddydog]

Good thread for the beginner section!

Checked for and marked newly laying queens at the end of july and havn‘t looked since. Will be removing supers this week and then hefting/feeding as needed