Alastair 6513 Posted December 3, 2015 I was in discussions with another beekeeper today whose business has outgrown his existing trucks and he's looking at something bigger. There was quite a bit to talk about with how best to set up the deck, factoring in possible use of a trailer, and what to do about a lifting ramp or hyab or whatever. The best plan for any beekeeper is see what others are doing which will give good ideas so I'm starting this thread. Hoping people can post a pic or two, along with any useful info how you set it up etc. There's been a few good trucks shown in the past but not necessarily searchable so please feel free to post them again here. Just to get the ball rolling here's mine it's about right for my small bee breeding operation. 4WD is pretty much essential where I am and it's a good rugged little ute But I know there's some much better really good trucks out their so please show! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jezza 376 Posted December 3, 2015 I'm really keen to see what people have. From the pics I've seen it looks like the big commercial have Isuzu Hiab type 4WD with Palfingers behind the cab. Is this pretty standard? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tristan 3828 Posted December 3, 2015 we still run utes as do most around these parts. very difficult to use trucks. i know a few that do but they tend to be used in summer only. even in perfectly dry weather today i was spinning out going up the hill and had to use 4wd. thats with decent tires to, not truck tread. add a trailer you can triple your load with very little extra cost. the costs go way up with trucks. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Over Worker 973 Posted December 3, 2015 This is my toy, the deck is good and not so good depending on what type of work you are doing. The side rails on the deck are 30 mm higher than the floor and is a pain when taking hives off...its lift slide balance then go.. instead of one smooth slide and off. Pluses are the back of the deck has two bars you can pull out to sit the tailgate on to extend length of the deck and no joins in ply. Factory tyres were replaced with Hankook Dynapro AT /M, 4/4 with diff lock and was very handy early spring still managed to slide into a post. The toolbox is from Bunnings $120.00.. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tristan 3828 Posted December 3, 2015 one of the many. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tristan 3828 Posted December 3, 2015 the workhorse is still going 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alastair 6513 Posted December 3, 2015 oops[ATTACH=full]11431[/ATTACH] Gosh why you in that ditch Tristan it's not even wet. Seriously though, that truck and trailer set up in the previous pic looks like an awesome solution for a lot of beekeepers, I'm guessing that trailer is braked? You must have something bigger though with lifting gear for honey harvesting etc? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M4tt 4400 Posted December 3, 2015 the workhorse is still going[ATTACH=full]11432[/ATTACH] Tough looking track. How did that happen? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Atkinson 455 Posted December 3, 2015 Not your normal bee truck 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Over Worker 973 Posted December 3, 2015 oops[ATTACH=full]11431[/ATTACH] Texting ?? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
M4tt 4400 Posted December 3, 2015 Texting ?? Bee in the cab? :rofl::rofl: 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tristan 3828 Posted December 3, 2015 Gosh what you doing there Tristan it's not even wet. that was the boss. pays not to use the phone when reversing and found the only drain around for miles. there was no where to turn around ahead and even that grass was hiding an inch of water. do not worry, theres pic of me around burying the ute to the axle in mud after taking a "shortcut". :rofl: Seriously though, that truck and trailer set up in the previous pic looks like an awesome solution for a lot of beekeepers, I'm guessing that trailer is braked? You must have something bigger though with lifting gear for honey harvesting etc? yeah its braked on both axles. single axle braking just kept locking up the brakes and overheating the brakes. actually no. in the field everything is taken off by hand and loaded on the utes by hand. unloading at shed is forklift. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rob Atkinson 455 Posted December 3, 2015 moving hives 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Merk 664 Posted December 3, 2015 Looks like a Nissan party around here 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Philbee 4298 Posted December 3, 2015 Half a truck and one and a half trailers 155Kg at 5.6m 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tristan 3828 Posted December 3, 2015 You must have something bigger though with lifting gear for honey harvesting etc? been looking at it. but 6 tonners don't carry any more than a ute and 2.5 ton trailer. trucks are higher so issues with loading. so really need a crane which reduces load capacity. also height is an issue with access. add in they are much more expensive. kinda expensive to have for a limited amount of use. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tristan 3828 Posted December 3, 2015 mind you a couple things i would like on the ute is exhaust brakes and an under drive gearbox ie turns 5 speed into 10 speed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Over Worker 973 Posted December 3, 2015 Half a truck and one and a half trailers155Kg at 5.6m I guess you'll be using a winch to do the lifting ?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alastair 6513 Posted December 3, 2015 What about shifting hives Tristan how you do that. By hand? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Philbee 4298 Posted December 3, 2015 I guess you'll be using a winch to do the lifting ?? electric winch. Not on yet, not enough rainy days so far 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Charles 352 Posted December 3, 2015 [ATTACH=full]11437[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=full]11437[/ATTACH]Not your normal bee truck Did see you guys in thi middle of oto the other week and wondered what the truck was? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tristan 3828 Posted December 3, 2015 What about shifting hives Tristan how you do that. By hand? all by hand. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alastair 6513 Posted December 3, 2015 Really! Didn't know folks still did that. (Except me LOL) Do you move a lot of hives? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Charles 352 Posted December 3, 2015 The now very old girl, still going and even with a 4x4 forklift things can go sideways 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
