For some years I have been thinking on getting a lifting device to help moving hives. This is often done early spring, or late in autumn when I don't have any hired help. It means I have friends and family to rely on. And they are not always that happy about late nights moving bees..... In the winter of -99 I finally got around to it, and started with a new flat deck on the pickup.

Lifter in transport position. There are supporting legs that are folded out during use and reach 60 cm from vehicle. 3 hydraulic cylinders are fitted to the unit. One in each of the foldable legs, so the vehicle can be levelled and kept in the same position during operation.

The third hydraulic cylinder is inside the vertical post and lifts the boom to working position. An electric winch at the end of the boom does the lifting. It reach 5 meters and swings 180 degrees around the vehicle. It will hold 75 kg.

It was made to be light when used on a small vehicle, and I needed long reach, so it was made so close to the limit I dared.

Moving hives in the spring to new locations

The hive lifter is easily mounted on to the vehicle when it's needed. A fork lifter is used to handle the 165 kg heavy hive lifter in the shed.

The "body" with the hydraulic equipment fits under the deck and only the vertical column is outside of vehicle when mounted.

The lifting forks have two "knives" that is manoeuvred with the level and fits into the cutout on the side of boxes. They can also be used to separate boxes.