Hello Allen & All,
I think you did a good job with your hive mover!

>The picture is pretty poor and I cannot see how the "retractable hive catch
>slips easily into the hand holds" and how you get it out.

I grew up working for commercial beeks in Florida using Payne & Kelley hive
loaders. Although some (like the one out back not in use now went under the
bottom boards most used a similar to the EZ lift set up.

The *forks* are set to slide into the box from the side. In the flat fork is
a *half oval* piece with a special flat spring. As the *fork* slides past
the hand hold the spring forces the *half oval* into the hand hold. As long
as the box is lifted the *half oval* stays in the hand hold. Once the box is
placed on another pallet and the weight of the box is off the forks the EZ
lift is easily pulled from the box. Many of the old hive loaders used the
same principal.

> I also notice that the unit lifts hives from the side, which can cause the
> frames to swing to one side and crush bees.

Maybe but I like from the side for a couple reasons
.1. the bees are not flying in your face.
2. there is little room on our pallets for the forks to slide in from the
front. Especially with six way pallets. I was told the maker did a survey
and *from the side* won out.


>  It has a lever to grab and release the hive body.

I like your hive mover but I like the EZ lift better for these reasons.

1. lighter and not as bulky for tying on a truck.

2. I like the way the *half oval* works . No levers to work. Do you have to
hold the handle in on your mover or does it lock in place?

3. picks from the side.

bob

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