Bee trailer: types of platforms for hives, store models and how to do it yourself

In order for the bees to bring more honey, they need to provide a good food base. It is necessary to take out the hives to nature, closer to the fields, gardens and herbs. To get there and take out all the hives, you need a bee trailer. Consider the types of devices that can be transported by car. You can make a trailer with your own hands or choose from industrial products.

Types of trailers for transporting bee hives

Trailer can be attached to a car. There are other options - a pavilion for bees or a platform. Consider each in more detail.

For passenger car

The beekeeper can use a regular trailer, which can be equipped with up to 24 standard hives. They are installed on the vehicle in rows. You can improve the trailer - install a canopy roof that will protect and hold the beehives.

Pavilion

This is a facility for co-installation of 10 to 40 hives. They stand on a common platform, if the pavilion is mobile, it is mounted on a frame from a van. It is easy to attach to the car and transport.

Platform

It can be single- or multi-tiered. A roof is installed on top to protect against overheating from sunlight and rain. Convenient because the hives do not need to be removed to work with them and put back.

Handmade

For the apiary, you can build a trailer with your own hands. For what you will need to find a frame on the chassis, as well as:

• profile pipe 25×50 mm - 12 m and 20×40 mm - 24 m;
• corners 4×180 mm - 2 pcs. and 4×60 mm - 10 pieces;
• plastic panels 10×180 cm - 20 pcs;
• steel sheet, depends on product dimensions;
• iron hinges - 10 pcs;
• round tube 20×240 mm - 3 pcs;
• bearings - 8 pcs;
• plywood sheet with a thickness of 16 mm for laying on the bottom of the vehicle.

For work you will need a welding machine, drill, grinder, square.

How to make a trailer, sequence of work:

• Weld rectangular pipes to the base to increase the frame by 1-1.5 m.
• From rectangular pipes, weld the base frame from a pipe 25x50 mm. Construction size - 2.4x1.8 m.
• For reliability, every 0.5 m across the base you need to weld profiles 20x40 mm.
• Fix on the frame by welding structures to it.
• Cut and weld the sled from the pipe 25x50 mm, on which the beehives are installed.
• From the corners of 4x60 mm, build places for the installation of beehives, welded to the bottom of the trailer. 5 spaces should come out on each side.
• Cover the bottom with sheet iron.
• Spread the bearings evenly over the base, install the slide on them.
• Lay a plywood sheet over the sheet of metal.
• Make racks from 20x40 mm pipes at the corners of the vehicle. Rack height - not less than 1.55 m.
• In place of the skid, also weld racks, but 1.65 m high.
• Strengthen the structure with a round pipe 20x240 mm, stretching it through the drawbar.
• On this pipe, weld two corners 4x180 mm on each side.

This will complete the job.

Choice of ready-made solutions

But if you can't assemble your own trailer, you can buy a ready-made, made in production. Consider several options.

MZSA trailer 817730.001

Considered one of the best for beekeeping purposes. Sturdy, sheathed in plywood and galvanized metal, the moving parts are also treated with zinc. Front and back wall open.

Withstands a weight to move 950kg.

Tandem trailer

Because of the large width, you can leave room for passage between two rows of hives. There is a rolling and spare wheel, belts that strengthen the load. The construction height of 1.3 m facilitates the installation of hives and their unloading. For transportation, 1 row of hives is installed, if the trailer is used as a platform, then up to 4 identical tiers can be installed.

Truck trailer 7135 "Beekeeper"

Equipped with heavy duty leaf spring suspension especially for use on bad roads. It has 15 cm sides, lifts 1 ton of cargo, the bottom is resistant to corrosion.

Trailer "Apiary saddle-24"

You can put 24 hives on it. In this model, an additional retractable part is provided, on which 8 hives can be placed. It has an overrun brake.

MZSA beehive trailer

The platform is single-axle, the rear and front sides can be installed horizontally. On a trailer, you can transport and support families. The total weight of the trailer with a load is 1260 kg. Moving parts are treated with an anti-corrosion compound. Near the sides there are profiles where the hives are installed. For stability, the structure can be supported by 4 supports.

Transportation rules

It is impossible to transport weakened colonies, the best time for transportation is spring and autumn, when the bees get stronger and quickly get used to the new territory. Along with the hives, you need to take the necessary equipment: a smoker and fuel, burlap, a front mesh, clay. It is necessary to transport families in the summer in the evening or at night, because the entrances must be opened to ensure good ventilation. If the weather is already cold, then, on the contrary, it is necessary to insulate the houses.

In hives, the location of the frames should be parallel to the front wall of the trailer. Hives must be securely fastened so that they are stable when moving. Install the houses in rows with a distance of 10-15 cm between them. This is necessary to ensure ventilation. Fence off the rows with bars. Transport at a maximum speed of up to 70 km per hour, if the road is good, if the road is bad - no more than 20 km per hour. To prevent the hives from moving, do not stop abruptly.

In place, the hives must be installed on sites prepared in advance. Install the covers if they were removed during transport. After the bees calm down, you can begin to open the notches. Work must be done in protective clothing and using the right tool.

The place for installing the hives should be chosen so that the sun does not burn on the hives, and a strong wind does not blow. There must be a source of water near the site. The location of the houses should be such that the entrances are directed to the north in summer and to the south in the cold season.

The export of bees to nature, closer to the food supply, gives a significant increase in the honey yield. Often, a beekeeper has more than a dozen hives, so in order to ensure transportation, you need to think about how to do it right. Especially if the food base is located far from the wintering place of the bees.

Trailers will help to transport bees comfortably. Hives are placed on them in rows. The trailer can be bought ready-made, the size and model can be selected based on the number of houses. It is permissible to make it yourself, if you have the necessary materials and tools. There are pluses and minuses in both cases.

An industrial trailer is more reliable but will cost more than a DIY trailer. In general, trailers are used only for transportation and unloading on site, but it is also possible to leave beehives on a trailer and then transport from place to place.

Recommended