I know you harvest from the top and add boxes on the bottom. To me it seems like it would be physically hard to add a box to the bottom. Are you lifting 2 or more boxes off, setting them on the ground, dropping a new box on the floor and then putting the removed boxes on top? Is there a more clever way to do it than I've described?
If your working by yourself, what you described is the best way, unless you build yourself a lift.
http://ruche-warre.levillage.org/La%20visite%20de%20printemps.htm
Often I have my son just slide the empty under as I pick up the boxes. I remove the cover and quilt box and set aside to reduce the weight for lifting, just leaving the burlap floured cloth in place.
Thanks Robo. I'll be building my first Warre Hives this winter, hoping to have 3 or 4 colonies in the spring. I'll have no help, just can't see my wife getting that close to bee's.
She might surprise you! My husband doesn't react that well to bee stings, but we got an Epi-Pen and he agreed to at least watch. Now he actually *wants* to get into the hives with me from time to time. They are too fascinating! I think the observation windows helped him bond, too :)