Medium supers for hive bodies?

cowboygourmet · June 02, 2011, 09:16:58 AM

For several years now I have used medium supers as hive bodies and for supers. They are lighter to pick up and it keeps my apiary equipment of like kind so that there are not so many different sizes and shapes. Is there anyone else out in the bee world that has done the same thing? :? ;)

D Coates · June 02, 2011, 09:28:59 AM

Yep, I know of plenty. I prefer the deeps as hive bodies but to each his own.

Riggs · June 02, 2011, 09:32:30 AM

I use all 8 frame mediums. Everything is the same size, lighter ect. My grandfather likes to try to help and at 85 yrs old, the lighter weight suits him better. Hopefully in a few years my kids will take an intrest in it too and I thought the weight and simplicity might be better for them as well.

Jim134 · June 02, 2011, 10:02:35 AM

Quote from: cowboygourmet on June 02, 2011, 09:16:58 AM
For several years now I have used medium supers as hive bodies and for supers. They are lighter to pick up and it keeps my apiary equipment of like kind so that there are not so many different sizes and shapes. Is there anyone else out in the bee world that has done the same thing? :? ;)

Yes

Been use 10 frame mediums 1985 to present

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

Irina · June 02, 2011, 10:10:49 AM

I currently use the deep bodies, and I also want to switch to all mediums.
What is the best transition for the existing hives? Time of the year, etc.
Thanks.

Jim134 · June 02, 2011, 10:56:11 AM

Quote from: vikoch on June 02, 2011, 10:10:49 AM
I currently use the deep bodies, and I also want to switch to all mediums.
What is the best transition for the existing hives? Time of the year, etc.
Thanks.

Now

BEE HAPPY Jim 134 :)

L Daxon · June 02, 2011, 10:57:19 AM

I, along with many others on this site, use nothing but 8 frame mediums. I even use medium nucs. Weight is certainly an issue, but I also like having ALL the frames the same size. Makes frame manipulation so much easier. If I need to pull a frame of honey out of a super to feed to a brood box/nuc somewhere, no conflict about size. Don't ever have to worry about mismatched equipment available. Everything is interchangeable. Makes a lot more sense to me.

Vikoch,
How many hives are you having to switch?

Linda D

Grid · June 02, 2011, 11:06:06 AM

I am in the process of switching my hives over to 10-frame mediums. The weight difference is significant enough for me.

Irina · June 02, 2011, 11:25:29 AM

I have 4 hives, and they all have a lot of brood an storage.
If I switch, what is the best way to do a switch?

AllenF · June 02, 2011, 03:57:17 PM

I use deeps for brood and shallows for honey supers. And I still think shallows full of honey are heavy to lift around.

VolunteerK9 · June 02, 2011, 04:09:20 PM

Ive got some 'all-medium' hives and some that are a deep-shallow configuration. I think I like the deep-shallow better but my opinions of them keep changing. There are pros and cons of both. For poops and giggles Im going to put together an all deep hive next year. (Ive got a good chiropractor)

Kathyp · June 02, 2011, 04:16:17 PM

i have stuck with deeps for hive bodies. that's what i got a lot of when i started and bought bulk stuff from other beekeepers. i also find deeps better for swarm catching and once in there, no point in moving them. i don't do much lifting of hive bodies and when i do, i just pull some frames first.

bailey · June 02, 2011, 11:08:30 PM

all med for me except the hives jp sends my way. i try to convert them all to meds as well.

bailey

Grid · June 02, 2011, 11:27:13 PM

Quote from: vikoch on June 02, 2011, 11:25:29 AM
I have 4 hives, and they all have a lot of brood an storage.
If I switch, what is the best way to do a switch?

Not sure about the "best" way, but I have been gradually adding medium supers under the deeps, about 1 a week. After 2 mediums, I try to get the queen into the lower 2 mediums - can be easy if you find her, otherwise I remove all the deep supers, and brush the bees off each frame into the mediums. Then I put an excluder between the mediums and the deeps. Another week, I add another medium under the others. Another week, I remove the excluder.

Grid

Michael Bush · June 03, 2011, 02:18:22 AM

I've used everything from 12 frame Dadant deeps to eight frame mediums. I mostly had deeps and shallows. I've cut them all down to mediums and all down to eight frames. It was worth the work.

cowboygourmet · June 04, 2011, 10:24:07 AM

Quote from: Michael Bush on June 03, 2011, 02:18:22 AM
I've used everything from 12 frame Dadant deeps to eight frame mediums. I mostly had deeps and shallows. I've cut them all down to mediums and all down to eight frames. It was worth the work.

Michael, when you use 8 frame mediums are you using a spacer at each side?

AllenF · June 04, 2011, 10:55:17 AM

Cut the box down so it will only hold 8 frames. Narrower box.

Shanevrr · June 04, 2011, 11:32:50 PM

Quote from: Michael Bush on June 03, 2011, 02:18:22 AM
I've used everything from 12 frame Dadant deeps to eight frame mediums. I mostly had deeps and shallows. I've cut them all down to mediums and all down to eight frames. It was worth the work.

Why do you do this? Didnt even know they had 12 frame boxes

preston39 · June 04, 2011, 11:38:29 PM

I am approaching confusion...Isn't all the Lang boxes the same wideth x length...just deep...was the difference? If not I have a ? or two.
Thought I had it figured out. Hum!

AllenF · June 05, 2011, 12:00:51 AM

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Langstroth_hive Rev. Langstroth figured out bee space and designed the hive boxes that we use. Dadant is the type/ style of frame we use today. Using these 2 we can build anything we want like a lang box that will hod 10 or 8 or 5 frames. It is all about bee space and what we can make.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L._L._Langstroth on the man

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dadant_%26_Sons

http://robo.bushkillfarms.com/beekeeping/double-deep-frames/ Really cool. Are you still using theses Robo?