Father-son team show off invention at Fieldays

Bay of Plenty innovators have created a revolutionary product to help beekeepers lift hive boxes, and it is the first of its kind in the world.

Daniel Mickleson and his father Steve Mickleson invented The Claw, a tool that makes lifting hive boxes easier and safer.

Daniel said full hive boxes can weigh about 40kg, and because the boxes have shallow handles, beekeepers often suffer from strains in their forearms and hands.

The invention has handles that clip into the grooves of hive boxes, giving beekeepers a better grip and making the boxes easier to pick up.

“A commercial beekeeper has been using it for five years and he can’t lift without one now,” Daniel said.

Daniel said he and his dad came up with the idea when they realised some family friends were getting strain injuries from lifting the hives.

The inventors then spent a couple of days considering solutions to the problem.

Their first prototype was created five years ago, and three prototypes later they came up with their final design.

Daniel said the previous prototypes were either too heavy or too difficult to put together.

“We wanted to get it right before we put it out there for everyone,” Daniel said.

Daniel said he hopes to raise awareness about strain injuries caused by lifting the boxes without The Claw.

The Claw is for sale at Fieldays in the Innovation Centre for $199 excluding GST, and Daniel said he hopes in will be available in stores soon.

The Claw is entered in the Innovation Centre Launch NZ competition where the winner will receive $5,000 cash prize and an advertising package.