Beekeeping Equipment basics Commercial 4 way pallets telescoping lid inner migratory feeding rim

Mike Barber's Commercial Beekeeping VLOG: Hello UA-camrs and thank you for the awesome questions about the equipment we use (and don’t use) and why we chose it or what might be appropriate for your needs so here is an incomplete partial visual answer. In this video we show several different versions of equipment for hobby and commercial beekeeping with discussion about these choices and our experiences using the products as we have grown and our needs have evolved. Amongst equipment discussed in this video are migratory and telescoping lids, box size and usage variations, in hive versus top feeders, bottom board types and commercial pallet options, entrance size and reducers, hive tools, smokers, frame size and mixing equipment pros and cons plus a few other tidbits. This video is definitely not all inclusive of every style of equipment available and the opinions expressed are only my opinions and your needs or experiences might be different.

[@dcsblessedbees]

👍I prefer the narrow side, make them fat drone work for it.😂Blessed Days...

[@MikeBarberHBU]

The poor drones just never get any respect! Thank you for tuning in, much appreciated!

[@honeybeesunlimited]

Haha. Thanks for watching.

[@aarontroutt5958]

I would love to see how you made those queen breeding hives. Measurements etc

[@MikeBarberHBU]

I will see what we can do about that request and maybe do what we do how to when using them. Thank you!

[@honeybeesunlimited]

Noted!

[@rtxhoneybees]

I find it interesting that you use the flat top. Most commercial beekeepers like the interlocking shims that are aligned with runners on the botton of the pallet. You way sure does allow you to stack non-standard pallets.

[@rtxhoneybees]

Oh and those corner thingys in that top feeder allow bees to empty the feeder regardless of the direction the hive is sloped.

[@MikeBarberHBU]

When we first started hauling bees I was really uptight about the whole process, overtime the things I worry about seem to be more about ease and efficiency. You bring some good points about the lids and runners fitting together on the first style lid and "locking" into place and you are exactly correct that the non standard pallets created problems. I really like the flat top too for the reason that we deal with a lot of awkward loads and the slick top allows me to slide bump the top pallets a bit more which helps when the night gets long. Thanks for watching!

[@honeybeesunlimited]

Phillip, you nailed it non standard. Our equipment is all over the place from buying bees off the almonds over the years. Last year our 2 loads were made up of bees from 7 keepers. Looks janky on the truck. One keeper had his pallet runners too close. He couldn’t stack his. Had to put them on the bottom. Bees drift up on the way.

[@rtxhoneybees]

@@honeybeesunlimited Gary and I exchanged a few comments about yall putting together a combo truck of beehives. I thought that was very generous of you to do that for smaller beekeepers. I am guessing you are just taking your own bees this year, correct? I am not too far from yall. I live near Dallas. I keep a few hives at my home and about 30ish at my farm south of Corsicana. If I can find the time, I'd like to come take a look at your operation. Maybe make a video. Take care.

[@honeybeesunlimited]

We are loading the truck Wednesday night starting at 6:00. Still coop'ed this year. Come out if you like. [e-mail]