Bee Smart Ultimate Hive-Top Feeder User manual

Ultimate Hive-Top
Feeder
USER GUIDE
1”CENTER HOLE FOR NIPPLE
HOLDDOWN
BUSHING
FINGER
TAB
TEAR DROP CUTOUTS
CAP
NIPPLE
TO FIND CENTER OF COVER WHEN
USING A NONBEE SMART DESIGNS®
COVER, DRAW DIAGONAL LINES
DOME PLUG
Mfg. by Bee Smart Designs, Inc. 195 Atlantic Avenue, Garden City Park, NY 11040
www.beesmartdesigns.com
© 2015 Bee Smart Designs
HOLDDOWN
BUSHING
ACTUAL SIZE DIAGRAM OF PLACEMENT
OF CENTER HOLE AND HOLDDOWN
BUSHINGS FOR USE ON NONBEE
SMART DESIGNS® COVERS.
FROM CORNER TO CORNER. WHERE LINES
INTERSECT IS THE CENTER OF THE COVER.
SIDE GRIP

FILL
TANK TO TOP OF NECK WITH
LIQUID AND REPLACE CAP.
SQUEEZE
TANK TO REMOVE AIR.
INVERT
TANK AND RELEASE
FINGER PRESSURE.
PLACE
TANK ON COVER AND
LOCK IN PLACE.
QUICK GUIDE
to Using the Bee Smart® Ultimate Hive
Top Feeder
1. 2.
3.
4.
TO FILL TANK
• Place TANK, HANDLE down, on flat surface.
• Remove CAP and pour in up to 1 gallon of syrup.
• TANK MUST BE FILLED TO TOP TO PREVENT EXCESSIVE DRIPPING,
NEVER FILL TANK PART WAY.
• Screw on CAP firmly. Do Not over tighten.
• To test seal put hand over NIPPLE and invert, if leaking re-seat and tighten C A P.
• Store TANK with NIPPLE facing up.
• Tank can be held by side grips.
PREPARING COVER
• DRILLING COVER:
• If using BEE SMART® ULTIMATE HIVE COVER use molded-in center guide.
• Draw diagonal lines corner to corner, the center is where the lines intersect.
• Drill 1” hole in center of cover. If using an inner cover make sure the 1” hole lines up with the hole in
the inner cover to allow easy access for bees.
• INSTALLING HOLDDOWNS:
• If using BEE SMART® ULTIMATE HIVE COVER use molded-in guides on opposite sides of center
hole.
• Mark the position for the HOLDDOWNS using the template on the back of this User Guide.
If using a cover with an existing hole make sure to center the template before marking the positions.
• Break off the 3 HOLDDOWN BUSHINGS from C A P. The 3rd is a spare.
• Install 2 HOLDDOWN BUSHINGS on cover on opposite sides of center hole using the self-tapping
SCREWS provided.
INSTALLING FEEDER
• TANK must be filled to top.
• With the NIPPLE facing up and holding the TANK by the side grips squeeze the TANK gently (some
syrup may come out) then invert and release so that a vacuum is created in the TANK.
• Place TANK on cover holding by the SIDE GRIPS with NIPPLE in center hole. Line-up TEARDROP
CUTOUTS in the CAP over the HOLDDOWN BUSHINGS.
• Holding HANDLE, turn TANK clockwise to engage cap spring tab under flanged BUSHINGS.
REMOVING FEEDER
• Hold HANDLE and turn TANK counter-clockwise to disengage CAP spring tab from under flanged
BUSHINGS. DO NOT FORCE as this may loosen CAP on TANK.
• If TANK sticks to cover use FINGER TABS to rotate and then lift.
• Lift TANK by HANDLE and turn upside-down with NIPPLE facing up, use side grips to hold.
• If not replacing FEEDER install DOME PLUG to seal the hole.
IMPORTANT NOTES
• Some liquid may drip from the NIPPLE until a vacuum is formed in the TANK. If TANK continues to
drip make sure red seal is properly seated and the CAP firmly screwed on. DO NOT OVER TIGHTEN.
• Installing a partially filled TANK will cause excessive dripping until vacuum is formed always refill TANK
to top before re-installing.
• Changes in temperature and barometric pressure may cause a small temporary drip.
• Your feeder includes a DOME PLUG to use to seal the hole when the feeder is not being used. Be sure
to store this in a safe location when not in use.
• Your feeder includes an extra BUSHING HOLDDOWN.
• Your feeder is designed to work on hive covers with holes larger than 1”. If using cover with holes for
Ball jars there are indents for adding additional holes. We suggest just a few at a time.
CLEANING
• Periodically rinse threads on CAP and make sure all holes are open. Use a nail or pin to open any
clogged feeding holes.
• Rinse TANK with warm water to reduce buildup of gunk by filling TANK with warm water, attaching
CAP and shaking to loosen debris before emptying.
• To sterilize tank:
• Add 1-2 teaspoons of bleach.
• Fill with cold water, attach cap and shake.
• Let sit for 5-10 minutes. Empty and rinse.
NOTES
• ULTIMATE HIVE TOP FEEDER should be used with an inner cover.
• ULTIMATE HIVE TOP FEEDER can be used with covers, even 4 or 5 frame nuc’s.
• Syrup level is easily viewed without opening hive.
• Tanks can be swapped in seconds.
• ULTIMATE HIVE TOP FEEDER works great with our ULTIMATE HIVE COVER and ULTIMATE
HIVE STAND.
SAFETY HINTS
• Always wear protective gear when opening hive or working bees.
• Always check that TANK is not dripping continuously.