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Bee hives have to be moved periodically. This cannot be done manually: the bee’s home, although not so heavy, is quite large and relatively fragile. In addition, transporting the hive should not disturb its inhabitants. Apilift is a special device designed for transportation of this kind.
What is apilift and why is it needed?
Transporting a hive is not the easiest task. Since the structure is moved along with its occupants, such transportation must comply with many requirements:
- a trolley for transporting hives must first of all have sufficient load capacity to move the bee’s home;
- a mandatory condition when transporting an apiary is minimal mechanical impact, the apilift must guarantee minimal shaking and the most gentle lifting of the hive;
- The greatest danger when transporting a hive is the threat of the honeycomb collapsing, which not only destroys the structure, but also kills insects. Before transportation, all internal elements of the hive must be secured, the same applies to external parts, if they cannot be disassembled first, apilift for more reliable work equipped with special clamps;
- ventilation of the hive is extremely important: this way it is possible to avoid overheating; the cart must provide normal ventilation and not be sealed.
The principle of operation is as follows: the cart is brought close to the hive, the level of the bracket is adjusted so that it corresponds to the position of the body. Then the hive is winched onto the apilift, secured and transported to another apiary.
Construction of the bee trolley
The trolley for transporting a hive is a steel structure that includes a mobile part, a lifting block and a device for fixing the body. Any version of the apilift has the following elements:
- static metal frame - the basis of the structure to which the remaining parts are attached;
- 2 wheels mounted on an axle - the diameter of the latter depends on the dimensions and weight of the hive;
- a movable frame on which the hive is installed, as a rule, there are side clamps to prevent the load from tipping over during transportation;
- lifting block - a complex part of the apilift, includes several blocks and levers that allow you to lift the hives;
- brackets – fixing devices;
- forks - supporting devices for lifting the hive, as a rule, they are removable to facilitate storage of the cart;
- clamps - apilift are equipped with adjustable devices, this ensures reliable fixation of hives of different sizes, in addition, this allows the cart to be used for transporting other large objects, such as cans, barrels.
Manufactured models are usually designed to transport cargo weighing up to 150 kg. Self-made apilifts are not as lifting. But handmade production takes into account the individual characteristics of the beekeeper and bee hives.
How to make a cart for transporting beehives with your own hands
A ready-made hive lift is quite expensive. It is quite possible to assemble the structure yourself if you have the necessary parts. But it is worth considering that to assemble the cart you need to be able to handle a welding machine.
Required materials and tools
To make an apilift for beekeepers, you need to stock up on the following materials and tools:
- steel pipes with dimensions of 40*20, 30*20, 25*25 mm, it is preferable to choose galvanized products;
- cable for lifting device;
- forks – you can purchase ready-made ones, as well as brackets;
- nuts and bolts M8 and M6;
- wheels of the appropriate diameter;
- springs and rollers on bearings;
- handles with rubber or rubber coating to prevent slipping, but you can do without them.
The tools you will need are a measuring tape, a wrench and, of course, a welding machine. A threaded connection is not used in the manufacture of apilift.
Do-it-yourself bee cart (apilift): drawings with dimensions
The design of the hive cart itself is relatively simple: a support frame, a block with wheels and a fork. But what is really difficult is the lift.The drawings for making a do-it-yourself hive cart are essentially a diagram for assembling a lift.
Step-by-step assembly of apilift with your own hands
The procedure for constructing a cart for beekeepers with your own hands in general includes the following steps.
- Preparation of source materials: processing, if necessary, and cutting of metal pipes to size. Assembling the side posts, main frame and block frame using welding.
- Designing a lifting block for the hive and preparing for installation.
- Frame mounting of forks, brackets, lift, wheels and handles.
- Checking the product for readiness for use - transporting an empty hive.
Assembly order may vary. In addition, different models may require the installation of additional parts.
Frame making
Assembling the apilift with your own hands according to the drawing begins with the frame. Firstly, this is the base of the structure, and secondly, it is the easiest element to manufacture. Profile pipes are used for the frame. For a standard design with a load capacity of up to 120 kg, pipes with a cross-section of 40*20 mm are sufficient.
The pipes are cut according to the dimensions of the trolley - 1570 by 370 mm, as a rule. The parts are connected to each other so that right angles are maintained and welded. In this case, the upper crossbar is welded vertically, and the lower one – flat.
A 20 mm wide cut is made on the outside of both apilift posts. The bearing axes will shift along it.
M6 bolts are screwed into the top of the racks - they serve as limiters and prevent the carriage from accidentally leaving the boundaries of the rack. Stepping back 20 cm from the top of the stand, weld the handles for the apiary cart.
The apilift is reinforced with two additional crossbars made from a pipeline with a cross-section of 30*20 mm: the lower one is fixed at a distance of 500 mm from the bottom of the frame, the upper one – 380 mm from the top. In the lower crossbar of the hive trolley, holes are drilled for an M8 bolt: brackets are attached here.
At the top of the frame, on the front side, a roller with a bearing is rigidly fixed - it acts as a lifting block. A semicircular edge is welded along the edge of the roller, which does not allow the cable to fall off spontaneously. The distance from the roller to the edge of the frame is 130 mm. A cable with a diameter of 3 mm enters the roller. At the same distance, on the other side, plates with bolts are fixed, where the free end is secured.
On the second lower cross member of the apilift, at a distance of 120 mm from the edge, a 35 mm high reel is welded for winding the cable. Its axis is installed in a bearing, and a lever equipped with a handle is attached to the rear side.
The handle is spring-loaded: the steel tongue rests against the stopper in a free state - a rod fixed next to the reel.
Assembling the lifting block
This is the most critical component of the hive trolley. The block will require its own frame, welded from thinner and lighter pipes and 4 bearings.
Pipes with a cross section of 30*20 mm are cut to size - 1720 by 380 mm and welded. The two lower crossbars are made of 30*30 mm pipes, which also includes side clamps.A coil similar to the one located on the top of the main frame of the trolley is welded in the center of the lowest cross member.
The apilift carriage moves on 4 bearings. For the latter, brackets are made from 3 mm tires. The bearings must move freely in the tubes of the side posts of the trolley. Pieces of profile pipes with a cross-section of 25*25 mm are welded onto the lower brackets - the fork parts are inserted here.
Hinges for side clamps are made. To adjust the angle of inclination, spring-loaded bolts are used: the more the hinge is inclined, the higher the gripping force. The clamps should be easily inserted through the hinges into the pipes. When it is necessary to fix the hive on the apilift cart, the clamps are brought close to the body and clamped. Forks are inserted into the carriage so that the hive can be placed. Fork length is at least 490 mm.
The compression mechanism is activated by a lever with a rod. The apilift drawings describe the design of the device in more detail.
Assembling the movement mechanism
This part of the hive cart is the simplest. The main thing is to choose the right wheel diameter.
The axle with the bearing is inserted into the wheel. On the outside, the axle is fixed with a nut; on the inside, a pipe 290 mm long is welded to the axle.
Weld the bracket - 2 pipes with a cross section of 30*30 mm at a right angle. At their ends, plates are welded for fixation to the frame.
The wheels are shifted relative to the bracket, thereby adjusting the angle of inclination of the apilift for the hives.
Conclusion
Apilift is an extremely useful device not only for an apiary, but also for ordinary dacha farming. In addition to beehives, it can transport very large barrels and cans, and other heavy items. Its design is not very simple, but if you know how to use a welding machine, you can make an apilift yourself.
