Author Topic: Questions about Power Bee Brushes  (Read 6545 times)

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Offline DMLinton

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Questions about Power Bee Brushes
« on: December 25, 2013, 01:46:44 pm »
Does anyone use, or have knowledge, of powered bee brushes?  I stumbled across a video a few months ago wherein a beekeeper with a beehouse arrangment used one to clear bees from honey frames as he pulled them.  From what I could see, the system utilized two cylindrical brushes that counter rotated.  The honey frame was passed between the rotating brushes and was very quickly cleared of bees.  Not sure whether the bees went into a container or a duct to the outdoors.

I have search about bee supply houses but cannot find anything of the sort.  The management strategy that I am leaning toward requires pulling individual frames of honey rather than supers so such a machine might be very useful.

I am particularly interested in hearing from anyone that has used one as I am curious as to how well the bees cope with such a machine.
Regards, Dennis
First bees installed July 1, 2014..

Offline apisbees

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Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
« Reply #1 on: December 25, 2013, 02:31:32 pm »
I have seen that video. It was in Europe and the hives were in a bee trailer or truck and the extracted in the truck. the bees went back out side so they could fly back to there hive entrance. there would be some drifting as any bees that were swept that hadn't taken orientation flights might not make it back to the proper hive
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Offline G3farms

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Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
« Reply #2 on: December 25, 2013, 02:50:01 pm »
You are right apis, I saw that one too. Looked like it was a little hard on the bees to me.
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Offline apisbees

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Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
« Reply #3 on: December 26, 2013, 04:48:40 am »
here is the one you are thinking about.
« Last Edit: December 27, 2013, 06:29:48 am by G3farms »
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Offline Moots

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Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
« Reply #4 on: December 26, 2013, 05:25:56 pm »
here is the one you are thinking about.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XPEpdyR_PQ

WOW!  That thing looks brutal!

Offline Perry

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Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
« Reply #5 on: December 26, 2013, 06:44:33 pm »
Sounds pretty bad don't it? I am sure that it's not outright killing the bees, but I bet is sure ticks them off. I'd want to be inside! LOL
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Offline LazyBkpr

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Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
« Reply #6 on: December 26, 2013, 08:35:37 pm »
The brushes dump the bees into the container under it.. He carries them over and dumps them back into the hive and doesnt SEEM to be getting stung.. I would think those bees were really peeved by then...   Brushes must be really soft..
   I like the bee houses a lot...    Also noticed something white under his inner covers.. insulation? Candy Board?
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Offline apisbees

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Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
« Reply #7 on: December 27, 2013, 04:39:06 am »
It looks to me that the inner cover board is painted cause you can see were the bees have built wax. The inside of his supers are also painted white.
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Offline Bakersdozen

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Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
« Reply #8 on: December 27, 2013, 10:19:34 am »
Even though he has painted the inside of the lid and inside walls of the supers the trade off must be that he only has to paint the fronts of the supers.  Those bristles must be extremely soft or else it would tear up the cappings and comb.

Offline Zookeep

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Re: Questions about Power Bee Brushes
« Reply #9 on: December 27, 2013, 08:54:44 pm »
I noticed that there are 11 frames per box, the honey color I didnt care for much it looked like a milky white, but the brushes didnt seem to kill any bees
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