what to use for syrup pump?

[wouldliketobee]

I was wondering if anyone out there has rigged up a pump to fill hive top feeders , normally I would just lift up buckets and dump in , but sometimes my back goes out , and recently I had bilateral hernia surgery so now I'm on a 15lb restriction for 6 weeks and I haven't had much luck getting help to lift them for me, I only have three hives but a pump would be handy at times like these, would a 12 volt farm sprayer pump work to pump syrup?  I would appreciate any ideas , otherwise I will use 9 - 1 gallon buckets to put syrup into the 3 -3 gallon feeders.

[Shanevrr]

I dont think it will work as 2.1 is fairly thick.  You can try it and check amp draw, but there made for water density,  I use a hand crank oil/fuel pump for 55gal barrels I bought from a farm supplier (farm & family) I use for corn syrup.  I can fill a 5 gal bucket in 3 mins.

[beee farmer]

You can use a oil drum pump from your local petroleum distributor, its hand operated fairly slow but designed for thick liquids and not heavy.

[rdy-b]

maybe dont try and feed them all at once -feed one -the next day feed another
like you say its only three hives-just lightin up the work load so you dont over do it-
 it may even be good exercise -easy dose it --RDY-B

[bee-nuts]

sir, you have THREE HIVES.  Take one gallon at a time, three times.

[Michael Bush]

I  have taken a garden sprayer (new, never seen pesticides) and removed the nozzle to let it free flow and used that, but it does get gummed up and have to be cleaned from time to time.  It's not TOO bad to clean if you pump some hot water through it, but I seldom bother to use it anymore with the bottom board feeders.  I just pour it in and since they are low to the ground I don't have to lift it very far.

[BlueBee]

I’m with bee-nuts on this one.  Seems like the simplest idea to me and less mess to clean up.

[wouldliketobee]

Thanks for the suggestions ,I had my brother fill the feeders for me , I'll be glad when I can lift more than 15lbs, everything I seem to enjoy doing requires lifting much more than that , I may still rig up something in the future that I can mix 10 gallons of syrup in then pump it to hives for now it is 3,  5 gallon buckets.

[tonyp]

I use old milk crates. They hold 4-1gallon jugs. Just pull out one jug at a time. You have to make sure the syrup is mixed well or the sugar will settle in the bottom and can be hard to get out.

[fish_stix]

Gravity still works last I heard. A tank set up on a truck fills them pretty dang fast.  :-D