Finally made the switch in hopes my back appreciates the move. Bees were pretty confused but are settling in nicely.
10 frame deep of bees, brood and honey goes 80 pounds. 8 frame goes 64. A ten frame honey super weighs 40 pounds while the 8 frame is 32. Wish I had done this sooner. Cutting down 10 frame equipment is a pain, but worth it...I hope.
The Saz hive had 10 frames of brood already while the Carni had five. Impressive start to the season.
swampcat
Outstanding Member Swamp Talker of the Month - December 2016
I have been switching to 8 frame as well, and 5 frame. My mentor has his bees in 10 frame, but I think he is hurting , handling the big boxes. Bees are doing well, got through the winter , with no losses. Gave them lots of feed fall and early spring. Have supers added'
A useful thing that I made, and find useful. A plywood adapter, cut out of 3/8 plywood. Several sizes. 10-8, 10-5,8=5. Cut the center out to suit. I am using on a 10 frame hive, with queen excluder. Then adding 8 frame honey boxes. You could also use 5 frame supers if too heavy. Or 2 - 5 frame side by side. Old buggers , can make things, to keep their backs happy.good luck old 243
Just noticed in your hive pictures. Is that a 2 frame nuc at the end. I saw them on barn yard bees , u tube and thinking about trying them. He explains how he raises queens in them. old 243
Just noticed in your hive pictures. Is that a 2 frame nuc at the end. I saw them on barn yard bees , u tube and thinking about trying them. He explains how he raises queens in them. old 243
I have 8 frame full hives and five frame nucs. I did have to resurrect some old ten frame equipment recently as I ran out of my standard equipment while capturing swarms.
I check out the two frame nucs on barn yard. Thanks for the question.
swampcat
Outstanding Member Swamp Talker of the Month - December 2016
Man your right about the weight, I'm in 5 frame mediums.. the other day I added a box under the top box.. thinking it would be a piece of cake I grabbed on and pulled the top super off and standing there.. found I couldn't do much else with it.. the wife fumbled around with putting the new box on and I was in trouble holding that thing.. sure glad she was there.. sometimes wives come in handy..
I have one hive that started out, in a 5 frame deep. Moved an old queen that I was replacing, into it. She went right to work Now a double 5 frame deep. Added 2 med 5 frame supers. Also stole a frame of brood and honey.From it and Put in a 2 frame nuc . There is a young queen in it now. I will likely move the young queen to replace her mother. Very interesting bugs.
Really like the 8 and 5 frame boxes, Not as heavy old243