> This suggests that we need to get away from Langstroth's system of   heap
> of stacking boxes that are awkward to lift and can get very heavy.
> Physical
> fitness shouldn't be a pre-requisite for beekeeping.

Physical fitness is a pre-requisite for commercial beekeeping in the U.S..
In areas of heavy honey flows deeps are needed. many times four are placed
at a time.
My help calls plugged deeps "gut wrenchers" ( maybe named for one of my
three gut hernias).

Today if I go to remove supers I drive the truck, the forklift and give
advice. I lift no supers. My best helper is 6 foot three and 280 pounds of
middle twenties muscle. He has no trouble at all handling the heaviest
boxes. However he does get tired towards days end and heat stroke is always
a concern.
We usually start pulling supers a daylight. ( the bees are always easy to
work then and temps are in 70's so the bees move quickly from the boxes.)
If you have not tried removing supers early give a try.
Using older help in pulling deeps is in my opinion not wise.

Having handled heavy supers my whole life I try to move the pallet as close
as I can to the hive the supers are coming off of. I set up my yards for the
purpose. Then the help simply makes a quick lift ( and does almost no
steps ) to place the heavy supers on the special pallet. The heavy super is
NEVER lifted again.
Moves into to hot room by forklift, placed on a special lift pallet jack
which can raise the pallet up to 31 in. from the floor so no bending over.
Frames removed to uncapper.

> I'm working on ideas!

I am always looking for ideas and suggestions. Too many commercial
operations rely on handling heavy supers maybe four to fives times. Simply a
waste of energy and man power.

Use you head first and back last.

bob

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