The Marvellous Apilectica

A DIY tool for assisting hive relocation.

Background:   

     Moving hives is an occasional nuisance, but happens enough to benefit from a purpose-built tool. Moving with a small vehicle presents an additional challenge in loading a heavy item sideways.

I prefer the "Litter" method of transport, and this design adds wheels to allow it to be slid sideways into a vehicle.     A bombastic name has been given to compensate for simplistic design.

The design is based on a Roman litter, ergo the Latin name.   

Materials:

1 pc 2x4 spruce, 8'

4 pcs 1" wheels with base no wider thatn 1.5"

2 pcs angle plates.  (Used for framing) 

6 pcs 3.5" screws 

Building:

1). Measure the width of your car hatch.      Length of beams should be width of hatch minus 4 inches.

2). Affix wheels on the bottom of the beams, 2 per beam, 10" from center.    This will center them under your hive, which is 20" long.

3). Screw in 3 screws in the side of each beam.  One in center, and two, each 8" from center.     Don't drive all the way through.      

4).  Affix an angle plate  on the bottoms of each beam.    These are not intended for load bearing, but to assist with alignment. 

The guiding-principle here is ease-of-quick-use.     Who wants to measure and fuss with proper alignment in the cold?

Using:

0.   Prepare hive by reducing height.  Remove quilts and hive top feeders.    Replace telescoping lid with a migratory lid, as necessary.     A ratchet strap can be used to secure hive for extra safety.    

1.   Affix beams to side of hives.    Two people grab each end and carry.

2. Load in vehicle.  Wheels allow sliding in sideways with minimal effort.   Pushing in is preferable to leaning and straining, which risks injury.

3.   Unload, install in new location.     In this case, the hive is moved to my honey house, where it will overwinter.