Sugarin' At 6 Chip Way

[3% Solution]

Ok here we go.
Got to tank stands shoveled out Saturday, was easier than I thought it would be.
Got the snowshoes out and shined up, LOL.
Now to get the mains and tubing washed out Friday.
Get the mains and tubing in the center section of Crestview.
Replace 45 drops with CV spouts.
Then to wait for the next little warm up and tap everything in.
Maybe the last week of the month.

[Amber Gold]

What do you mean the last week of the month? The season's here. It's time to start putting holes in them trees!

Good luck this season.

[NH Maplemaker]

With all the snow in the woods, it is going to take more than a couple of 40 degree day to shake thing lose! You folk over closer to the coast will see sap before us. We are about 80% taped out and yesterday as warn as it was we didn't see one drop of sap come through the main lines! JimL.

[3% Solution]

Josh,
Yeah we're not as warm as you folks are over in the flats!! LOL
We live in them thar mountains over here.
We will no doubt tap out sometime the week of the 21st IF it's warm enough.
It's only 12 here right now and forecast to drop to 0* tonight.
So, I guess we haven't missed a run yet!!
Oh by the way Josh, your such a teaser!!!!! :lol:

Dave

[ADKMAPLE]

yeah, big mountain boys, we tap by March 1

[Amber Gold]

Dave I do what I can.

[3% Solution]

Got the lines washed yesterday
Now have to tighten two mainlines
Replace 42 drops with stubbies for the cvs
Get the sugarhouse squared away
Got a week to do it ......... no prob!!!
Going to tap next Saturday.
Cold today, 24 and mega wind.
After this freeze the sap will be running.
Still got lots of snow on the ground too. More than last year.
:)

[TapME]

good to see you in the hunt again, I bet the family will have fun with you this year. Can't wait to get the kids involved and grand kids too. Have fun

[3% Solution]

Hi Lou,
Good to see ya on again.
Yeah the family is right into it, it's just a nice family thing to do.
Time to get out into the nice spring air.

Temp is 19* today, just waiting to get out there.
Got a few more things to do, then we'll be ready.
Still early yet.

[3% Solution]

Ok all the field work is done, now to drill little holes in big trees.
Friday is the day to tap for us, no matter what the weather.
Monday looks like a good day for a run and a messy storm too.
Oh well got to do it soon!!!

[Russell Lampron]

Looks like you will be tapping in a messy storm on Friday Dave. Good luck this season.

[3% Solution]

Well didn't tap in the snowstorm, fired up the woodstove in the sugarhouse annex and worked in there instead, things are 100% ready in the sugarhouse now.
Tomorrow after the clean-up going to get the tanks out and set them. Oh yeah do a bit of shoveling too!!
Monday going to tap, I'd rather tap in the rain than in the snow.
Then it's just a waiting game.

Russ; thanks for the tip of the hat!! Hope your season is a good one too!!! :)
Don't know how much snow you got down there but it's up to my knees here!!!
Only time will tell!
Hoping this snow wil take us into April.

[Russell Lampron]

Dave we've got plenty of snow here too. 3 weeks ago I would go into it up to my knees with snow shoes on and up to my waist without them. The snow has stiffened up a bit since then but it still impossible to walk without snow shoes unless you are in a previously packed snow shoe shoe path.

[3% Solution]

Update ..................
All tapped out, 220
Did the last 16 today.
Sap wants to run, but not quite warm enough yet, got soe drips going in the a few of the containers (tanks and buckets).
We are ready to boil sap!!!!!
Bring it on!!!!
Maybe this weekend, weather is looking better.
Guess we'll all have to wait and see!

[Amber Gold]

Dave, looks like you got done in time for the start of the season. In your infinite wisdom, you waited until the season really started and not to get catch the little sputters we've been getting.

The weather's looking real good over here for some 3 gpd (maybe) runs for Sat. and Sun.

[3% Solution]

Josh,
Yeah the trouble with those little scuffs is you end up freezing the tanks up, then what do we do when it starts gushing!!
I have good records and they tell me we usually start big time (usually!!) the first or second week of march.
Of course then again, it takes us 4 hours to tap everything.

[Amber Gold]

Yeah, it takes me 2-2.5 days between tapping trees, getting the releaser set up, and vac. leaks taken care of. You're fortunate where if you find the season's really early, you can drop everything, tap in, and not miss much. Next year, I'll have a better system, won't be significant changes, and should be able to cut my prep. time down.

[3% Solution]

Josh,
Yeah that's the nice thing about being retired and being your boss!!
No carpentry jobs between mid Feb and the end of April.

Got a bit of drizzle coming down here at 33*.
Hoping to get a bit of a run today, have to wait and see.
It will be happening soon.

[Bill'sSugarShack]

Don't expect much today...think it'll take a bit to just thaw the trees out...plus melt some of the snow...

Dave...if you out n about town, ya want to peek in mine n see what i got....lol
Save me from driveing over for nothing...lol

[3% Solution]

Hey Bill you was right ......... nothing here to speak of.
Darn South wind!!!!!!
Rain here all day, 45* and a South wind.
Temp is dropping down now 34*, still raining hard too.
Check the tanks today got a little sap out there, not much!
Will pick it up tomorrow afternoon so it doesn't freeze in the tanks and buckets.
Should start soon!

[3% Solution]

Ok, here we go!!!!!
Crappy weather for gathering this morning.
Rain and sleet along with snow and wind!!!
Temp was 27*, everything freezing.
Pipe going into the sugarhouse froze after 15 gallons of sap being pumped through it!!
I think the sap was loaded with ice and that did it at the corner in the wood shed.
Guess run some hot water through it Friday morning.
Positive part of he day .... picked up 50 gallons. Boiled off 12 gallons so as not to have any in the head tank and to heat the arch for tonight.
Other than that everything is great!!

Guess lots of ice in surronding towns.
In Cornish (NHMaplemaker) has no power and can hear branches breaking in the sugar bush behind his place. Guess I'll be over there next few days helping him get things back together.
Not sure what he has for damage.
Anyone what to help him out this week??

[Russell Lampron]

Hey Dave gotta love those freeze ups. At least you didn't burn up your evaporator because of it.

I hope Jim didn't lose too much because of the ice storm and hope that he gets his power back soon. I would be over to help but have to work.

[3% Solution]

Russ,

Yeah freeze-ups are a pain!!!!
I make sure I have sap in the head tank before I fire up.

I know you'd be over in a heart neat if you wasn't working.
Hopefully it isn't too bad.
Thanks anyway Russ

[TapME]

wow, ice storms are no fun at all. If I was closer to you guys we would go and try to help NH Maplemaker. Never good when ice form on trees. As I type the lights are flickering here. !/4'' at least of ice on everything around us.

[NH Maplemaker]

Thanks guys! Doesn't look to bad at first glance. Most of what we could hear braking and coming down were junk trees! Son in-laws outside wood boiler will love that! Just as soon as some of this ice melts we will get at it and do the repairs! Power was out about 18 hours.You don't know how good something is until you don't have it!!!! JimL.

[3% Solution]

Ok, got the pipe thawed out ..........30' of solid sap ice.!!!!
Lots of boiling water, a cup at a time!!!!
Now we're ready again!!!
Just waiting like everyone else!!
Hopefully it will happen tomorrow and friday.
Fingers are crossed.

NHMapleMaker, how did you turn out with the ice??

[NH Maplemaker]

Not bad Dave, Found one spot that took it a little hard! about ten taps. Tubing under a lot of branch and snow! The rest is a little here and a little there. Will finish up tomorrow. The trees are still completely covered with ice. We have a lot of branch down (JUNK) but thank God they didn't hit anything when they came down! JimL.

[Bill'sSugarShack]

What i use to thaw pipes is an old hair drier..


Ok, got the pipe thawed out ..........30' of solid sap ice.!!!!
Lots of boiling water, a cup at a time!!!!
Now we're ready again!!!
Just waiting like everyone else!!
Hopefully it will happen tomorrow and friday.
Fingers are crossed.

NHMapleMaker, how did you turn out with the ice??

[3% Solution]

So here's the news .....................
Sap's been running ok.
Picked up 183 gallons yesterday and squeezed out 4.25 gallons of Dark for the first boil.
Picked up 46 gallons this morning and out popped 1.25 gallons of medium.
I sure love that float on the flue pan now!!!!!!
Lowered the sap level to 1.125" in the front pan and the rectal pucker started!!!!!
Drawing syrup every 10 minutes, just not drawing a lot though. Snuck it back up to 1.375".
AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH that's much better!!!!!
Get more syrup per draw and draw every 20 minutes.
That's all for now folks!!

[Hop Kiln Road]

These are geat posts!

When I heard the kid from Leader over in Bellows Falls last year talk about listening to your evaporator, it struck a chord. Knowing, intimately perhaps, the unit you are operating, he said, can up your product a grade. This is what is is all about. Hope the weather keeps you in your groove!

[3% Solution]

Hey thanks Hop Kiln!!
I try!

Sap just trickling along!!
Not enough to boil today, maybe tomorrow.

[TapME]

Get out there and start talking to the trees so they will wake up. You could also hit them with a stick, that's what my uncles said they did.
Watch out tommorrow is the day.

[CBOYER]

Give them a big hug, and explain them that they need a good purge for at least a month every years to be healthy:lol:

[PerryW]

Get out there and start talking to the trees so they will wake up. You could also hit them with a stick, that's what my uncles said they did.
Watch out tommorrow is the day.

I second that! Could be the mother of all runs!

As a side note, I've found that the trees will produce better when they are reminded of the high stumpage prices of Sugar Maple. An idling chainsaw lets them know you are serious.

[3% Solution]

All I got to say is SAP'S RUNNING.
Be gathering in the morning and boiling in the afternoon / evening.

[3% Solution]

Got some sap yesterday
We picked up 255 gallons.
Still got 60 left to boil.
Yes we are a bit behind, but we should be caught up by Sunday.
Making dark syrup, but it tastes like a light medium.
Should be close to 30 gallons by Monday, we'll see!
Hope everyone is doing good!!!

[3% Solution]

Ok, first off, not going to reach that 30 gallon thing by Monday!!
Up to 18 today.
Didn't get to much of a run today, have to go out in the morning to see.
Had a few folks come by today, had a fun time.
Grandson came over to help boil.
Thanks Nathan!!!
Hope everyone had a good first day of NH Maple Weekend.

[3% Solution]

Ok so this stinks ...... no sap since last Friday!!!!!
Going out Friday and pick up what ever is out there and ready for the onset Sunday / Monday time frame!

[Russell Lampron]

No Sap!!! That stinks. I cant remember the last time that I didn't get sap. I hope the season gets better for you.

[3% Solution]

Hi Russ,
Yeah we still got plenty of time and snow here.
The snow pack is just that, a packed 12" layer that can be walked on.
We need 14 gallons more to tie last year and I don't think that'll be a problem.
I'll keep you folks posted.

By the sounds your having a pretty good year.
Keep it up.

[3% Solution]

Had a great day today!!!!!!
Made 11 gallons of dark syrup in about 7 hours!!
I love this business!!!

[3% Solution]

Uh oh, checked things this morning and the sap has been running this week ....
....... 5 - 60 gallon tanks >>> FULL!!!!!!!
Oh ice there too!!!
Mother Nature's RO at work!!!
Buckets >>>> a lot of them full with ice .......
Guess I blew that one!!!!!
Oh well get caught up sometime this week!!!!!!!!
Maybe!!!!!!!
Gather tomorrow when it's warmer!!!!

[3% Solution]

Ok got a question ............
Yesterday I did a post that said I made 11 gallons in 7 hours.
Isn't anyone curious how I did that??

[Russell Lampron]

Ok Dave how did you do that? Borrow some concentrate from someone?

[PerryW]

Ok got a question ............
Yesterday I did a post that said I made 11 gallons in 7 hours.
Isn't anyone curious how I did that??

Chuck the Ice? (the poor man's R.O.)

[3% Solution]

ok guys here's the real deal with this
First off, It wasn't RO'd sap and there wasn't any ice involved.

Got a mutual aid call Friday morning from NHMaplemaker, he had hurt his back. He had 700 gallons of sap to get rid of and wasn't able to boil it.
So that is how I got to make 11 gallons in 7 hours.
Darn I had a good time doing that!!!
He has a nice set up there
And because I helped out a good friend!!!
Of course had to keep after him to sit down and let me do it!!!

Hope he gets feeling better this week for the good runs coming up, but if he doesn't no prob, just take my sap to his place and boil for the both of us!!!

[3% Solution]

Now to get out this morning to get those tanks emptied of the RO'd (mother natures) sap out of them.
Thinking the sap didn't run last week really screwed me up, everything is full and froze.
I figure by Tuesday we'll be back on top again.
Going to have some real sweet sap to biol in the next 2 days!!!!!
Guess I won't do this again!!

[Russell Lampron]

Hi Dave, I hope that Jim is going to be alright. I have had back problems in the past and it isn't fun. Jim is one of the best and I wish him a speedy recovery.

So you had fun making 11 gallons in 7 hours. You would have a blast at my place. I make that much in 2 hours.

[3% Solution]

Russ,
Yeah he is a good guy.
I'm sure Jim has read your post already.

That would be a blast!!!!
Sometime I'll have to come down!!

Ok so here we go, tapping the kegs for SWEET SAP!!!!!!
Wish us luck!!!!

[Backyard Sapper66]

Dave,
This just continue my belief in all the people in the maple world, you are a good guy for helping Jim out. I don't know Jim but I understand about back issues. Hope he gets well soon and thank you for helping out a fellow sapper!!!
Cheers to you my friend.....
Doug
:)

[3% Solution]

Doug,
Thanks!!!
Yeah I believe in help your neighbor and friends.
Someday it maybe returned to me if I need the help.

Ok so today wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, went rather well.
Picked up 144 gallons of sap, made 4.25 gallons of syrup.
Got all but 1 tank picked up.
Tuesday I'll pick that one up and do the buckets when it's warmer.

Heard from Jim tonight, he is 100% better tonight than he was yesterday.
That's good to hear.

Well that's all for now.
After tomorrow it's full steam ahead!!!!!!

[NH Maplemaker]

Thank you Dave, I Could not have done it with out you!! Good sugaring season come every year, But GOOD friends come your way very rarely!! You are a GOOD friend! I know only one other person that could have run my evaporator as well as you did! He was sitting in a chair watching you do all the work! Thanks you. Jim L.

[3% Solution]

Ok this is getting better!!!
Mother nature's RO did a good job with the buckets.
Gathered 107 gallons of 4.5%
Now that should be good boiling tomorrow.

Jim,
No problem, it was my pleasure.

[TapME]

Don't you just love the way that sweet sap boils? I have been throwing ice out for years. The season has been going well here. This next boil we may hit the 50 gallon mark. That's is a milestone for us here. We could use some of that nice dry slab wood in your wood shed too:). Keep on having fun Tap

[3% Solution]

Boiled that 107 I picked up yesterday.
4.75 gallons of B, nice tasting stuff!!!
Guess sap may have run a little here today, not much I don't think
Find out tomorrow!!
Up to 27.25 gallons now.

[3% Solution]

UPDATE TIME
We are up to 37 gallons
Most we have ever made is 37.75, so guess that's going down tomorrow!!!!
Looks like some warm weather coming in for the middle of the week and not freezing at night.
Guess we'll have to see!!!
Hope everyone is having a great time!!!

[3% Solution]

Oooops, didn't mention that Bill's Sugar Shack stopped by the other day.
He got dessert too!!!!!!
Before he got supper at home!!!!

NHMapleMaker stopped by the other day too!!!

Thanks for stopping by guys!!

[Bill'sSugarShack]

Oooops, didn't mention that Bill's Sugar Shack stopped by the other day.
He got dessert too!!!!!!
Before he got supper at home!!!!

NHMapleMaker stopped by the other day too!!!

Thanks for stopping by guys!!

Was nice seeing you again..
Hope you get to poke in n see my small set up.
Be busy boiling this morning...got 50 gal waiting..

[3% Solution]

UPDATE

Well we're up to 46.5 gallons
We are a little behind, but we'll catch it someday!!!!!
Unreal sap runs!!!!!!!!

Check out our little operation on You Tube: Two Thirds Throttle.

[Bill'sSugarShack]

Great little video...
Here's link to it for those that couldn't find it.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCOlHJr67BQ

[3% Solution]

Update
Made 4.5 gallons today................ 51 for the total!!!!!!
Got more sap out there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why am I looking at 60 gallons?????????
Darn good year boys!!!!!
Got two neighbors that have been right there to help too!!!!
Kudos to them!!!
Thanks Guys!!

[TapME]

wow... watch out marvin:lol: Glad to see that you are doing well. You may even pass me at this rate.

[3% Solution]

Lou,
I watched that video after I came in and almost wet my pants!!!!
What you got right now???
Got about a cord of wood left.
Keep hammering away at it!!

[TapME]

I'm pushing 60 and nursing wood the best we can here. The taps will run again this week. So be ready

[3% Solution]

Alright good deal!!!!
What's the most you have made?
Our most was 37.75 off 130 taps.

[TapME]

I'm making it now. If the wood last I'm looking at 70 and that's with giving or selling 500+ gallons of 3%. Guys up my way have pulled the taps and called it a season. Then there is the rest of us who are trying to keep it going. A sugar house 6 miles away has made over a 1000 gallons as of last Sunday.

[Sugarmaker]

Dave,
Just found your posts! A good read! Your record year of production is due to good sap runs and your attention to details like your EEU improving your production rate. How long has it been since you first called me and assisted from a distance as I built my own WRU [water reduction unit] with you guidance and ideas.
Very gald to hear you have set a new syrup production record! And had many visitors and helped others make syrup too.
Thanks to your help over the years we also have surpassed our previous production in 2011 by about 40 gallons of syrup. We made about 190 gallons of syrup using the WRU. The same wood was used [9 cord] as we made 108 gallons with last year.
Hope the close of your season is good. Glad to see your grandson got there to help you also!
Regards,
Chris

[Backyard Sapper66]

Dave,
I'm interested about info on your WRU. I have a small operation with a 24" x 32" flat pan on a barrel arch. I plan on building a new arch during the summer to increase my boiling GPH. The WRU has sparked my interest. How does it work? Let me know when you get a chance.
Many thanks and good luck for the rest of the season.
Doug
:)

[Sugarmaker]

Wow! Could the term "WRU" actually 'stick' in the maple world:):)
Daves EEU was first!
Guys it is hoot reading these threads.
Folks like Dave are great long distance friends that take the time to go out of their way to help other sugar makers.
Hope things are good in the sugarhood!
Regards,
Chris

[3% Solution]

UPDATE
We are now at 55.25 gallons.
Making "B" today.
Doesn't look to good for a couple of days.
Maybe a freeze up Thursday and Friday nights
Then after that it isn't looking good at all.

Chris;
Thanks for the good words.
Glad everything worked out for you.
I am thinking about a combi pan, combination drop and raised flue.
Bet that would make some syrup quickly!!!!
Have to price it out somewhere!!

Doug;
You will need a flue pan for the EEU / WRU to work.
Uses the secondary heat source (steam) coming from the flue pan to heat the sap.
If you want to look at it just let me know.

Guess that's all for tonight.
Later gents and keep boiling.

Dave

[TapME]

you are the rock star Dave:). Hit 60 today looking for 70 if the Maple godess lets me.

[Backyard Sapper66]

Dave,
Ok I understand, I will have to check it out to see how it works. Guess I will need to build a new arch and a flue pan for next year so I can incorporate it. Hoping to have about 100 taps next year and the sugar house in the middle of the bush. Good luck for the rest of the season however long it may last.
Doug
:)

[PerryW]

Hoping to have about 100 taps next year and the sugar house in the middle of the bush.
:)

better yet, a sugar house at the lowest point of the bush. (maybe that's the middle, I don't know)

[Amber Gold]

Watched you vid. that Gov. recently shot. Nice looking rig and your steam away looks great.

[3% Solution]

Hey thanks Josh!!!!

Well it's over for sure!
We had a very good year.
Made 63 gallons of syrup.
Mostly Dark and "B" syrup, but really good stuff.

Now to work on another project for next years season.

Hope everyone had a good season.