Flow Super Lifter

The heavy lifting involved in apiculture can lead to injury, reduced accessibility, early retirement, and infrequent/suboptimal bee care. Conventional inspections require chiselling weighty wooden boxes (‘supers’) apart, lifting them off awkwardly, putting them down somewhere, then aligning/replacing them afterwards. Challenges for a commercially viable design brief included:- Break propolis (‘bee glue’) seal between boxes- Provide clear access to brood, allow removal of frames- Avoid disturbing bees or damaging comb- Remain extremely stable during use- Realign boxes for closure- Single unit usable on multiple hives- Lightweight, easily carried- Necessitate minimal hive modification- Compatibility with varying hive sizes- Manufacturable at reasonable price

Over seven years, dozens of approaches were prototyped and tested. A tilting method proved superior, resulting in a detachable folding tool that allows lifting 60kg with very little strain, holds boxes securely during inspection, and enables gentle replacement. Ensuring stability during operation with minimal hardware fixed to the hive took years of experimentation. Versatility was necessary for broad adoption; refinements were developed to support compatibility with multiple hive types and accommodate varying sizes. Optional extension handles were added to increase leverage during double-box lifts. Tight tolerances and highly interdependent components meant any small change required full system re-evaluation and re-testing.

Because it significantly reduces the time and effort required to conduct hive inspections and apply pest treatments, the Super Lifter facilitates better care for honeybees. This is particularly impactful at present while the beekeeping industry battles the varroa mite, an extremely destructive parasite that has recently arrived in Australia and is spreading throughout the country. This tool also allows many beekeepers to continue in their profession or hobby for many more years than they otherwise could have. These factors combined result in improved outcomes for beekeepers’ quality of life and the beekeeping sector as a whole.

The Flow Super Lifter is the culmination of extensive iterative design, with each feature carefully refined through real-world testing to balance strength, precision, and ease of use.Key features of the design include: - Lightweight body built to withstand outdoor conditions.- Hinged arms accommodate varying hive widths and allow compact folding for easy transport and storage when not in use.- Spring-loaded retractable brackets featuring ergonomic grips with flexible polymer covering.- A three-stage telescopic locking leg with a flexible spring-loaded foot. - Precision-engineered fasteners.- Custom-designed load point screws create secure mounting points for the tool, allowing a single unit to be easily attached to and detached from multiple hives- Minimal modification of the hive required.- A retractable stand to assist with lifting double boxes.- Optional extension handles to increase leverage, further reducing the load while lifting.- Brass latches to secure multiple boxes together during big lifts.- A custom-designed carry bag for comfort and ease of use.