>Any ideas on lifting hives by yourself would be appreciated.

Denise:
Some Europeans use what is called a Golz-Beute hive. The hive is arranged
laterally with the brood chamber in front and the honey storage area
or “honey house” in the rear. Ahlert Schmidt posted some information on
them in the past. If I’ve copied the addresses correctly you should be able
to access them. If not just type in Ahlert Schimdt under author’s address
in an archive search.
The item numbers are 028109 and 037441.

He will email you some drawings in a .zip file if you request it. A great
idea if you enjoy trying novel approaches to beekeeping.
Regards,
Dick

http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind9906C&L=bee-l&P=R545

http://listserv.albany.edu:8080/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0110C&L=bee-l&P=R3014