Apilift is widely used in beekeeping as a technical tool for transporting and loading hives. The functionality of the device can significantly simplify the work of the beekeeper and make the maintenance of the apiary more efficient and easy. A similar lift can be bought in a specialized market, but many beekeepers prefer to make it with their own hands. What is needed for this, let's figure it out.

What is apilift

An apiary cart is a lifting structure that is equipped with a special part for gripping and wheels for movement. The holding part has bolt fasteners that securely fix the hive and prevent it from falling. All clamps are adjustable, which makes it possible to transport bee houses of any size. In addition, each apilift is equipped with lifting parts - levers, blocks, clamps.

A cart for transporting beehives for bees must meet the following characteristics:

• load capacity of the structure should be up to 150 kg;
• the height of the portable hive is 1300 mm;
• the ability to capture an object within 340–530 mm.

The lift can be with a manual or mechanized drive, while most beekeepers prefer the first option, since the second significantly complicates the work with the structure.

The principle of operation of the trolley is quite simple:

• a special device moves the side clamps;
• after the required distance is fixed, set the body of the object;
• use a lever to lift the load.

After the steps have been taken, the hive can be transported to any place.

Did you know? It is quite easy to distinguish a working bee collecting honey: it has a special collecting apparatus on its hind foot, in which pollen forms, forming pollen.

DIY lift

To make a lifting unit with your own hands is not an easy task, because in order for it to work in the required manner, you must strictly follow the instructions when assembling. Nevertheless, having prepared the necessary materials and tools, creating drawings, you can independently make a functional device that can last for many years.

Design selection and drawing creation

Experienced beekeepers recommend choosing a trolley with a mechanical drive for home production. It should be noted that it is quite difficult to make a lift, since it consists of a large number of small elements. That is why all work must be carried out according to a well-formed drawing, which can be found on the Internet.

The future truck should have the following technical characteristics:

• lifting with a maximum height of 1400 mm;
• lifting of an object no more than 150 kg;
• the weight of the device itself is about 24–25 kg.

Materials and tools for work

To make a beekeeping cart, experts advise preparing the following components:

• profile steel square pipes with a cross section of 2.5x2.5, 3x2, 4x2;
• fixing elements: bolts M6, M8, nuts, screws;
• handles equipped with a non-slip rubber surface;
• tension springs;
• a coil and a cable wound around it;
• metal rod, which is necessary as a support for the coil;
• two wheels on an axis;
• tape measure for accurate sizing;
• Bulgarian;
• apparatus for welding, necessary for fixing the details of the elevator.

Important! The manufacture of a lifting cart in the household is carried out in a strict sequence that cannot be ignored. Otherwise, the design will not have the necessary functionality.

Step-by-step instruction

Once all the basic components for the production of the apiary lift are ready, you can begin the assembly process, which is presented step by step.

Frame manufacturing

One of the most important parts of the trolley is the frame, with the manufacture of which the assembly of the entire device begins. The finished frame has the following dimensions: length - 157 cm, width - 37 cm.

The production of the frame is carried out according to the algorithm:

1. Pipes are welded to the required dimensions.
2. Four beams are welded to the resulting structure, which are perpendicular.
3. The lower rib is attached flat to the sides. The size of the ribs located above and below should correspond to the dimensions of the frame pipes.
4. For two crossbars that are in the middle of the structure, 3x2 cm pipes are suitable. The interval between the upper rib and the central crosspiece should be 50 cm. The third beam is mounted, retreating from the lower rib 38 cm.
5. The length of the racks of the frame structure on the inside make a cut of 2 cm, necessary for the movement of the bearing. At the same time, M6 bolts are located on the sides, preventing the bearing from flying out of the groove.
6. On the third upper beam, from two sides, make a hole for the M8 bolts required to fix the wheel brackets.
7. 20 cm recede from the upper cross member and handles are welded to the side ribs.

Carriage

One of the most important and at the same time complex elements is the carriage.

Its assembly provides for the following stages:

1. The frame is assembled with dimensions of 72x38 cm from a pipe with a section of 3x2 cm. The lower beams, which are located across, are made from a 3x3 pipe. Side clamps will be welded onto them to capture the load.
2. Clips are mounted on the hinges, for which a 46 cm long pipe with a diameter of 2.5x2.5 cm is used. At a 90 ° angle, a 9 cm pipe is welded onto the outer edges of the clamps, which serves as the basis for attaching 14 cm long paw clips.
3. In the middle of the lower cross member, a block is welded onto which the cable is wound.
4. This cart design implies the possibility of raising the hive by the bottom, therefore, pieces of pipe 9 cm in diameter, 2.5x2.5 cm in diameter are welded on both sides of the structure. Plugs made of pipe parts 49 cm are inserted into the welded sections and fixed with M6 bolts.

Did you know? Bees have five eyes: three of them are located in the upper part of the head, two more - in front. At the same time, insects are not able to distinguish a red tint, but have an innate preference for purple and blue-green colors.

Wheels and reel

The next stage of work on the trolley includes the assembly of wheels and coils:

1. 13 cm recede from the right edge of the frame and on the upper cross member from the front side a 4 cm bearing with a clamp is fixed, which prevents the cable from falling out.
2. A metal cable 3 mm wide is mounted in the groove for the roller, which is bolted to the upper side on the side on the left side.
3. 12 cm recede from the right edge of the frame and attach a coil with the following dimensions to the second rib located on top: height - 3.4 cm, diameter on the inside - 3 cm, diameter on the outside - 5 cm.
4. The axis for the coil is inserted into the bearing.
5. A lever (20 cm) is welded to the beam from the parallel side with a handle that can freely rotate around the axis.
6. Steel stops are attached to a beam with a coil and a handle on top and bottom.
7. By means of a cable, the lever handle is connected to a steel tongue, which serves as a tool preventing the possible descent of the carriage.
8. For the described apilift, wheels with a diameter of 38 cm are taken. The axles for the wheels are fixed with brackets made of a pipe with a section of 2.5 x 2.5 cm.
9. The brackets are fixed to the frame with metal plates of 11x2.5 cm.
10. The wheels are pulled out of the brackets, due to which the cart can be positioned at any angle.

Important! For the manufactured trolley, it is recommended to choose wheels from a durable, wear-resistant material, which is highly resistant to punctures and damage.

How to pick up purchased hive carts

Making an apilift requires some knowledge, skills, as well as a little time and patience. That is why not everyone will risk doing the construction with their own hands. Fortunately, today, global manufacturers offer a wide selection of ready-made trolleys that differ in characteristics, functionality, and dimensions.

When choosing a cart for transporting beehives, preference should be given to devices with the following qualities:

• convenience and ease of use;
• metal intensity of the device. The trolley must be made of strong and reliable metal, which guarantees the durability of the structure;
• safety. All the main components of the apilift - forks, handles, holders, clamps - must have high quality and reliability, be made of durable materials;

  

• impenetrable wheels. When buying, you should choose a cart with wheels made of impenetrable material, for example, polyurethane foam;
• fall protection. It is recommended to give preference to designs that are equipped with an automatic lock mounted on the frame and allowing to prevent an accidental fall of the mechanism for lifting the load;
• high load ratings. A purchased device must be capable of lifting loads up to 150 kg.

In addition, when buying, you must require sellers to have product certificates confirming the safety and reliability of its components. Among the finished trolleys, the most popular are the TP-002 lifts with polyurethane wheels, the M-1 with reinforced wheels with pumping, the Apilift 1.0 TL with pneumatic wheels.

Did you know? Surprisingly, the mating process in bees takes place right in the air and lasts no more than 5 seconds. After this, the drone loses its “male organ”, which remains in the body of the uterus, and dies itself.

Apilift is an excellent assistant to the beekeeper, which makes it possible to significantly simplify the work of apiary maintenance. A similar design can be purchased in specialized stores or made independently. The last option must be approached with particular responsibility, since a well-made device affects not only the quality and timeliness of moving the hives, but also the safety of the process.