Checking what VT sugar makers are doing

[PARKER MAPLE]

OK fellas, I have been right out straight with work and trying to get ready here. Addition is done, preheater is built, filter press is cleaned and working. And I am in the ordering stages of building an RO. I have increased my tapping potential from the 900s to apprx 2500 this summer. all woods works is done, well Im sure I have some highwind storm damage somewhere I always do.

So when are we all tapping. Im thinking end of the Month, typically tap around valentines day. Whats everyone else doing??? POST IT HERE

[farmall h]

Sitting here on the Trader watching it rain. Yuk.
Reversing front pan in order to draw off from the back rather than the front.

[sjdoyon]

Plan to check woods in a week or so for any damage from the December storm. Completed fall maintenance in November along with the 4,000+ tap expansion. Appears we faired well on this side of the state with minimal ice damage. Will get ready to start tapping third week of Feb since it will probably take a week to get everything tapped.

[Randy Brutkoski]

My dad is going to start tapping for me this week. He should get close to 1000 done this coming week. Gives him something to do, and it really helps me out. I still have a lot of damage to fix in one of my sugarbushes.

[Thad Blaisdell]

Heading down to hubbarton to pull taps. Should be able to pull 1000 this week.

[PARKER MAPLE]

To Funny Thad, Randy you had better watch out hes sneaky lol...

[PARKER MAPLE]

Do w think its going to start early this year?? or normal but whats normal

[PARKER MAPLE]

Somebody must of got sap today in VT I no there is a few that have been out tapping.. not me to much to do first but getting closer everyday

[spud]

I got half a gallon per tap on my fall tapped trees yesterday. I plan to ream those tap holes on March 1st. I plan to start tapping my woods by the end of the month. I did a little more clean up in the woods today because of some new blow downs.

Spud

[Scribner's Mountain Maple]

I am sitting here looking at the forecast. 45 today and 4 days out of 7 in the next week above freezing. Good luck to all of you who had the courage to tap early. I am getting nervous about what our spring weather will look like. It may be a year to try to get everything in sooner than later. With all I have left to do, I hope to be tapped by the end of Feb. If I was ready now, I would highly consider firing up the drills.

Ben

[Randy Brutkoski]

My dad did a little over 200 today and it was running pretty good. I was hoping that it wouldn't run but oh well.

[maplwrks]

Tell Joe at that rate, He should finish by the 2nd week in March!! Are you early, or is this about the time you usually start?

[Randy Brutkoski]

Well when I get going with tapping a lot will get done per day. I am 2 days earlier than last year but also have 1000 more taps than last year. My wife will start running my potato chip route soon so then I will be able to jam . Lappiere just came down this past week and added a 3rd post to my r.o. so that will help prevent a sunami like I had last year.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

did super reg get your pumps yet?

[Randy Brutkoski]

they come in on Thursday. I will let u know.

[adk1]

Wow that's allot of taps. Good luck with your season

[Big John]

going to start on the 20th or so. to warm this week don't really want dirty sap in the lines yet. we can do 1000 a day, 2 guys in between milkings. drink red bull!!!!

[Randy Brutkoski]

Its going to take me some time to set up my new helium injection unit for my vacuum on one of my small woods to see how it works. if it means 40 gallons of sap per tap then next year I will have it on all 3 of my bushes.

[rchase]

what is a helium injection unit for my vacuum?

[sjdoyon]

40 gallons per tap? it's not April 1st yet.


Its going to take me some time to set up my new helium injection unit for my vacuum on one of my small woods to see how it works. if it means 40 gallons of sap per tap then next year I will have it on all 3 of my bushes.

[Randy Brutkoski]

That's about the date when I should hopefully hit 40 gallons or better..

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

40 gallons per tap? it's not April 1st yet.
there's a sugar maker by name of Kirby, and he got 33 gallons per tap last year, so with the S.E. HE unit could be very possible if it works out correctly.

[Paul VT]

what is a helium injection unit for my vacuum?
I second this??? Never heard of it.

[adk1]

Oh man here we go again haha

[Randy Brutkoski]

Ask Dr. Tim, I think he knows a fair amount about it. It will probably be his next big test.

[DrTimPerkins]

No comment.

[Randy Brutkoski]

Just what I thought , top secret.

[GeneralStark]

No helium injection unit here, but I have been taking advantage of the Jan. thaw to finish up some roofing and exterior details on the sugarhouse. Stacks are installed, now on to bricking the rig. My goal is to be ready to tap by Feb. 15 and if I can keep the momentum going it shouldn't be a problem.

8384

[Scribner's Mountain Maple]

I'm with you general, no Helium here, yet, maybe when I know what it does.

I have been enjoying this weather too. It has made my life a lot bit better. I drove mainlines into the woods today using my 4 wheeler. No tracks, no groomed trail no chains. I can't recall a year when I was able to drive my wheeler up on my hill in mid Jan. But My back is so greatfull. 8 trips today, 1000' 1 1/4", 1000' 1" and 5000' 3/4. It's easy half a mile each way and the alternative was a snowmobile that doesn't start or a sled. So again, my back is happy. 8 trips in two hours this morning. Now to get it in the air. Time is ticking away. My to do still includes finishing my stack install, insulating and bricking the arch, setting up blowers for steam away and arch, setting up Vac pump. Fix a few spots with down trees and install new mains, run laterals and plumb into existing wet/dry. And much much more.
No problem. We'll see. Hope to be tapped by Last week of Feb.

Ben

[sapmaple]

I'm looking at a Tapping date also of Feb. 15 (Weather permitting) using this weather to get 6 more main lines in with tubing and drops etc.

Hey Randy I look forward to your updates through the season since were quite close to each other
Hope everyone has a good season!

[opiejudd]

Hoping to be ready to tap our high vacuum bush by first weekend in febuary. Then our second gravity only bush the tradition weekend before town meeting. Hoping for a great year with our new arch and homemade pans. Water leak testing this weekend and hoping to water boil next weekend after the arch is rebricked.

[CharlieVT]

Its going to take me some time to set up my new helium injection unit for my vacuum on one of my small woods to see how it works. if it means 40 gallons of sap per tap then next year I will have it on all 3 of my bushes.

I'm kinda new to setting up a vacuum system, but someone told me that unobtainium is better than helium for a vacuum injecton setup. So I am going to look into getting some of that.

[GeneralStark]

January thaw is over. Get ready for winter #6.

[Randy Brutkoski]

You guys wont be laughing when I get a gallon per tap.

[Randy Brutkoski]

My dad has made 1000 holes for me so far. Setting up my 2 new bush pumps later this week. Have to tighten up 1 more bush and then we are ready to rock and roll.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

My dad has made 1000 holes for me so far. Setting up my 2 new bush pumps later this week. Have to tighten up 1 more bush and then we are ready to rock and roll.
huh that's funny Thad said something about pulling around a 1000 taps he left in last year:lol:

[Thad Blaisdell]

No not my taps... pulling them in hubarton..... lol

[adk1]

Randy is defiantly into the early tapping. Can't make up lost sap right!

[vtmapleman]

Attended the Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates in Tampa 1/5/2011...based on the weather forcast back home haven't missed much of an opportunity to tap....will think about starting the 2nd week in Feb.

[PARKER MAPLE]

I'm thinking about tapping on feb8th looking at the long range forecast for my area. Hopefully they are some what close.

[farmall h]

Waiting...patiently. :)

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

No comment.
Most know proctor will keep hush for 3 years and then talk about their projects. I can understand as this is just in its infancy. I have talked to some one that may know a little more of "something" so he is trying this himself.

[Randy Brutkoski]

Extreme testing this year with this. I guess I will be the guiney pig on this one.

[BigAl'sSapShack@WBM]

Feel like I probably missed some sap this past weekend....but the long range forecast has it cold with no real signs of a warm up....looking to tap Friday the 15th if it warms up and the long range forecast looks promising.

[Thad Blaisdell]

2000+ tapped this weekend.

[PARKER MAPLE]

charging the batterys now, and will be putting holes in trees this weekend. Almost done with the repairs. Got to drag out the vacuum pump and releaser and get them cleaned this week. Looks like right on schedule as far as schedule's go. Hope everyone has an abundance of sap this year. GOOD LUCK
PM

[Randy Brutkoski]

My wife starts running my potato chip route tomorow, so i am good to go in the woods. My dad has 1600 taps in for me so far. Moisture traps, releasers and plumb up the vac sheds all this week.hopefully

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

My wife starts running my potato chip route tomorow, so i am good to go in the woods. My dad has 1600 taps in for me so far. Moisture traps, releasers and plumb up the vac sheds all this week.hopefully
Guess I'll start buying more potatoe chips this week

[wsugar]

Started tapping this weekend it will take me @ three weekends to tap. Not sure why I keep adding taps.
The new releaser is ready. Just have to set up air injection. Ready to go

[Randy Brutkoski]

To heck with the air injection. Go with the helium like me and Thad.

[maplwrks]

You guys are full of helium

[sapmaple]

Working on putting in 700 drops then a few loose connections still some plumbing at the sugarhouse and then a test run with the new rig Still looking at Feb 15th to start tapping

[Thad Blaisdell]

Brand new H20 3 post machine delivered today........ need to do the plumbing and away we go.

[Randy Brutkoski]

The sap was running some today, so i brought a sample home to test from the main line. 2.6%. Not bad for everything still mostly froze up. I know when i flip THE GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER SWITCH it will be a different story on content. There is plenty of moisture in the ground. There is going to be a river of sap coming to my s.h. this year.

[Thad Blaisdell]

8646

Picture of my RO room

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

8646

Picture of my RO room

just had to show off the size

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

heres a tubing spooler I made out of 3/.4, 1" and 1-1/4 EMT
864886498650

[Randy Brutkoski]

not bad for an electrician

[Buffalo Creek Sugar Camp]

Thad, with the two RO's will you have to start concentrating long before you want to boil, or will the machines keep up? Do you run the membranes in series, or parallel? How long do you concentrate before you rinse, especially when you get to high concentrate? The ro room and plumbing looks nice and neat. Good luck with the new machine.

[VT Maple]

What is the Helium used for?

[PARKER MAPLE]

I am waiting to hear the results still on this helium system. Thad briefly talked about it with me when I was at his place a few weeks ago. Randy and Thad get together look out. No one in the maple world will be the same. I can only imagine the amount of sap that is going to be produced with the Helium injection system.

Sounds like I am setting the releaser and pump this weekend and chasing any leaks that it might have. Im still waiting for Bascoms to call and say the new Lap float has arrived so I call be done with this releaser. Should be like brand new this year. New seals and new float. JUST ADD SAP.. lol
PM

[Thad Blaisdell]

Thad, with the two RO's will you have to start concentrating long before you want to boil, or will the machines keep up? Do you run the membranes in series, or parallel? How long do you concentrate before you rinse, especially when you get to high concentrate? The ro room and plumbing looks nice and neat. Good luck with the new machine.

What I will be doing is running one or both machines to make 10-12% concentrate during the day, then when I am ready to boil I will switch one over to make 20-22%. I am able to make 20% at the same speed that I can boil. I will most likely be boiling twice a day with this system. Once around 4pm and the again when the sap stops running. This should get me into bed early every night.

I run about 3 hours between rinses. Now when I am making high concentrate I have the machine turned way down, much lower pressures. As on that pass I am looking to take out only 50% of the water, so fouling the membranes is reduced drastically.

The big key is in the way I wash. I start the wash with the soap and run for 20 min or so, dump and rinse, start a new wash and let it go through its complete cycle. The amount of crap that comes out in the 20 min wash is incredible. I compare it to washing your dishes in the same old water over and over.... eventually it just isn't going to clean anymore.

[Greenwich Maple Man]

What I will be doing is running one or both machines to make 10-12% concentrate during the day, then when I am ready to boil I will switch one over to make 20-22%. I am able to make 20% at the same speed that I can boil. I will most likely be boiling twice a day with this system. Once around 4pm and the again when the sap stops running. This should get me into bed early every night.

I run about 3 hours between rinses. Now when I am making high concentrate I have the machine turned way down, much lower pressures. As on that pass I am looking to take out only 50% of the water, so fouling the membranes is reduced drastically.

The big key is in the way I wash. I start the wash with the soap and run for 20 min or so, dump and rinse, start a new wash and let it go through its complete cycle. The amount of crap that comes out in the 20 min wash is incredible. I compare it to washing your dishes in the same old water over and over.... eventually it just isn't going to clean anymore.

Just wondering what your reason is for not going to 20% in one pass with each machine ? 3 post machine should do that.

[Thad Blaisdell]

First, I don't think I have enough high pressure pump to do it. I believe that I could go to 15% easy enough but to do the 20 would be a little tough. Now that being said with 3 posts I don't think that I really would want to anyways. Going to the 10-12 in one pass is so easy on the machine, therefore its easy on the membranes, Then taking it to 20 is just as easy. Now if I took it straight to 20 my flow would be terrible.... 1 gallon a min... or so would be my guess. Thereby reducing my overall speed. Taking it from 10 to 20 I can do about 10gpm of concentrate which is exactly what my evaporator takes so it works perfectly for my setup.

[maplwrks]

Very well put Thad. What most guys forget is the last membrane in the series takes the most abuse, cutting performance way down. I like your idea with a quick wash and then a more intense one. I do a similar wash as I wash with hot water for 15 mins and then dump and add soap for a longer wash.

[wiam]

Mike, I do that also, especially when I have pushed it longer than I should have.

[BigAl'sSapShack@WBM]

Extended forecast does not show any sugaring weather through February 15th

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Extended forecast does not show any sugaring weather through February 15th
good not ready :D

[MapleChaser]

First, I don't think I have enough high pressure pump to do it. I believe that I could go to 15% easy enough but to do the 20 would be a little tough. Now that being said with 3 posts I don't think that I really would want to anyways. Going to the 10-12 in one pass is so easy on the machine, therefore its easy on the membranes, Then taking it to 20 is just as easy. Now if I took it straight to 20 my flow would be terrible.... 1 gallon a min... or so would be my guess. Thereby reducing my overall speed. Taking it from 10 to 20 I can do about 10gpm of concentrate which is exactly what my evaporator takes so it works perfectly for my setup.

Thad when boiling at that high concentrate do you shut down at any time and clean your flue pan? We have notice a build up at 16% and we went all season last year.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

just bought a vacuum pump moving into the big times, watch out Thad and Randy

[Randy Brutkoski]

You are going to go right by Ryan and the fat man in that town.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

You are going to go right by Ryan and the fat man in that town.
Fat man isnt even a challenge:mrgreen: , I was up spying on Ryan last night, his "NEW" set up is killer, it will be a while before I can take him out I cant say what he did but will definitely up production HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA:lol:

[wsugar]

There is going to be a shortage of helium this year.

[Randy Brutkoski]

I think i have enough. I have 2 big propane tanks for the helium this year. I forgot how many gallons the tanks are.I am thinking 300 apiece.

[wsugar]

So glad I'm done tapping. I'm going to clean RO and tanks this weekend and the weather looks good for next week.

[Randy Brutkoski]

I think on sunday you need to come and tap with me. Aways to go. I know it will be hard for you to say no. Call me tomorow night and we will work things out.

[wsugar]

Hey Randy i will call but what are you doing on trader when you can be tappin ,a lot of daylight left at 3 pm

Looks like the snow is deep

[Randy Brutkoski]

I have to watch my boy. Julie has been in the hospital for a few days.

[wsugar]

Hey sorry to hear that. What can I do to help. I will give you a jingle tonight

[spud]

I will be all tapped in today. Looks like we may get some sap by the end of next week. They are calling for rain and 45 degrees towards the end of the week.

Spud

[Tucker08]

Actually needed snow shoes to work in the woods down here in the banana belt. Looks like it's go time this week. Have a lot to do, but I will be ready. Kind of a one man operation these days. People tend to show up when it is time to stand around and drink beer. You don't see them on days like today...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

went out to finish lines before tapping today. snow bank at edge of road was waist deep then after that knee high. Im beat one side done doing other tomorrow. ordered XLE membranes today Joe at Atlantic RO is a hoot, super nice guy to work with. Cleaned out garage thern sugar house. Final pressure was tomorrow afternoon then slam the rig together. set Ro in place do final plumbing. free air some wire to Ro wire it up like a home owner that doesnt know what he is doing.

[wsugar]

I got the RO washed and ready to go. The vacuum house is all insulated and the new releaser works great thanks to flat lander for the help. Going to put a little heat in the sugar house and finish the evaporator and tidy up. Forecast is good for this week.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Hey Randy if you dont boil sap collected this week Ill buy it from you.

[Randy Brutkoski]

I dont even have a releaser set up yet.

[spud]

Hey Randy if you dont boil sap collected this week Ill buy it from you.

Make sure you only pay .10 cents a gallon. Supply and Demand Supply and Demand. :lol:

Spud

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Make sure you only pay .10 cents a gallon. Supply and Demand Supply and Demand. :lol:

Spud
I thought you northern guys rape your customers by charging them 75%:)

[Randy Brutkoski]

That only happens in the richford area rusty

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

get one of your releasers set up for me by this weekend please so I can boil.
HEHEHE
Well guess im old and fat out of shape. I have had the worst muscle cramps last two days after being in the woods. Im going to try different things here like leave the beer at home:cry: take water with me that might make difference:o

[spud]

get one of your releasers set up for me by this weekend please so I can boil.
HEHEHE
Well guess im old and fat out of shape. I have had the worst muscle cramps last two days after being in the woods. Im going to try different things here like leave the beer at home:cry: take water with me that might make difference:o

Flat Lander,

Go out and buy some liquid calcium for your cramps. I get them at times because I'm fat, old and out of shape. If you're cramping up bad just take one or two teaspoons of calcium and the cramps will be gone in less then 60 seconds. A mid wife in Alaska taught me this trick several years ago and I was amazed.

Spud

[GeneralStark]

Working on final details in the sugarhouse. Got the VFD for the vacuum pump wired up running today and will be finishing up making all the connections to the cooling water and electric releaser tomorrow. Waiting for sap flow to get the transducer dialed in. Likely going to get some taps in on thursday and friday to test things out and get the vacuum system dialed in for when the sap really gets going. Forecast is not looking too favorable for any serious flow but could get enough to test the new rig. Bricking is done and now I just need to get the syrup pans back on and hook up the head tank. Had some friends over last week for beer and chili and talked them into helping lift the head tank to the second floor.

Woods are almost ready. Some more saddles to install and will install drops as I tap. Looking like the tap total will be about 550-600 this year. The new land has more maple that I had anticipated.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Flat Lander,

Go out and buy some liquid calcium for your cramps. I get them at times because I'm fat, old and out of shape. If you're cramping up bad just take one or two teaspoons of calcium and the cramps will be gone in less then 60 seconds. A mid wife in Alaska taught me this trick several years ago and I was amazed.

Spud
Thanks Spud will pick some up tomorrow

[chevypower]

Taps are all in here, with the exception of the 900 plus buckets which will come later. The ice storm put us behind and we are still scrambling to get things ready, getting closer though.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

pans washed make new pan gaskets tonight get rig together work on transfer pipe from driveway to bulk tank, wash tank for ro.

[GeneralStark]

I'm thinking I'm going to hold off tapping and not try to get sap this thaw. I would rather focus on getting the final details sorted out and really be ready for sap weather the first week of March. Looks like it is going to get real cold again next week so I would rather not have to deal with freezing sap in tanks and so forth. I will likely tap within the next week on days when it is above 20.

I will put out a couple test buckets just to see what happens the next couple days.

[white mt]

I was thinking the same on tapping. In the past it was a hard lesson to sit for weeks with blocks of sap in tanks and lines of all sort and the ro sitting that long with no permeate to flush out again

[PARKER MAPLE]

Me as well, Im going to hold off until end of next week. I did tap normally on the week between the super bowl and Valentines day. But this year seams to be a little later. I really don't like it having frozen sap in anything, tanks, pans, lines.....ect..... It really sucks when the temp get right and you have blocks of ices instead of fluid.

I will hold off this weekend and go for it next. Looks like 3days of warm temps this week and back to 20s next week

Parker Maple

[MikeVT]

Tapped all my trees a few days ago, sugarbush in Westford with 250 taps and 50 in Jericho. no sap yet. hoping tomorrow brings me some sap to my new sugarhouse. I'll let you know. it's calling for high 30s tomorrow

[PARKER MAPLE]

Any sap today fellas??????

[GeneralStark]

I hung two test buckets today at about 1pm and as of now I have collected about 1 pint of sap total. Nothing too exciting but the trees are thawing a bit.

[MikeVT]

probably only 20 gallons of sap total today from over 300 trees. it didnt start until this afternoon and was very slow. weather in Jericho was sunny and 42.

[PARKER MAPLE]

DEEP FREEZE coming next week they say

[wdchuck]

Tapping in the woods all day long and the only holes that were even wet were in direct sunlight during the middle of the day. Things are thawing, but its been really cold for quite a while. No panic here....

[GeneralStark]

Definitely no need to panic...though the test buckets are up to about one quart total. Still dripping slightly. Got some work done in the woods completing the last mainline connections and installed a bunch of saddles. Almost done plumbing up the vacuum pump and finished assembling my new DIY electric releaser.

Looks like it is going to get real cold after this brief thaw for at least a week. Feeling good about being ready for sugaring weather.

[spud]

My sap is running at about 125 GPH as of 8:00 pm and I have about 500 gallons in the tank. I dumped 200 gallons of snot sap early in the day. Might get a little run the next 2 days.

Spud

[sapmaple]

tapped under vacuum yesterday to help find leaks as we go. about a 1000 taps done and it ran 100-200 gals pretty cloudy stuff from flushing lines Will test boil the new rig today as long as its raining Should be ready to rock and roll after this coming cold spell!!

[wsugar]

Sap ran a little yesterday. The new releaser worked well. Had a few leaks but vacuum is good. I'm going to check lines today Maybe I can boil by Sunday. Then back to the woods to add more taps during the cold spell

[tcross]

I got about 45 gallons out of 100 taps yesterday with only running the pump from 1 p.m till 7 p.m! then put in another 30 taps. turned the pump on this a.m and it was coming in about like yesterday was... a tad more I'd say! hopefully it'll pick up a bit over the course of the day! After fixing some squirrel chews I got the vacuum level up to 27.5! I was pretty **** happy with that!

[Randy Brutkoski]

Tapped 450 yesterday. Real rough going in the woods. Have about 5300 tapped in so far and fixed about 200 tree rat holes in the last 2 days as well. It ran yesterday but i am far from ready.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Tapped 450 yesterday. Real rough going in the woods. Have about 5300 tapped in so far and fixed about 200 tree rat holes in the last 2 days as well. It ran yesterday but i am far from ready.
I'm ready send it south to Poultney buddy

[DoubleBrookMaple]

Here in the deep south of VT, I went out and tapped 60 yesterday (Thursday) hoping to get some test sap for my fresh built arch. Nothing much flowing at all. I will go out today and tap another 60. High of 42 yesterday, not even that today. Right now my power is out from ice storm since 7am. Fired up the generator.
Maybe tomorrow I will get a few gallons of test sap.
I am at 2000', and 2-4 ft of snow up the mountain side here. Thank goodness I got my new snowshoes. I did not think of it until I read a post. Last year I didn't tap until March 23rd, and hauled buckets down the hill, and across 3 streams. This year I got tubing in. No hernia operations this year!
Got my own weather station I can check online when I am got to see how things are.
http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=05350
http://www.wunderground.com/weatherstation/WXDailyHistory.asp?ID=KVTREADS2
Not really ready anyway. I will have to use last years steam pans on my arch until I receive my Hybrid Pan from Smoky Lake. He says he "hopes" to ship late next week. I never planned to start until March anyway.
Well got to go tap.....

[spud]

It never hit 41 degrees like they said it would but the sap did trickle in throughout the day. I have about 3000 gallons in the tank. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny and 43 so maybe It will run a little better. How did everyone else do?

Spud

[MikeVT]

60 taps in jericho and 240 in westford, only about 10 gallons from my 60 taps in jericho, didnt even check my westford tank today. 40 degrees and 30 mph winds in jericho today

[DoubleBrookMaple]

I gave up today, and never did tap any more, as it only topped out at 33. The trees are still covered with ice, and I could here occasional cracking and crashing in the forest around me.

**UPDATE**

Day 3 after tapping 60 it reached 38 at 1pm, 42 and dropping at 4pm, and a slow drip from mainline into tank.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

membranes landed, high pressure hoses landed finish ro today so when Randy calls me up and tell me to come get his sap i can process it and boil. finish lines in the woods tomorrow will be ready to tap next week.

[GeneralStark]

My test buckets ran a bit yesterday but the nuking downslope winds we had blew the covers off and then the torrential rains threw off my measurements so I am starting over today. Will likely run a bit today but back into the freezer starting tonight.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Thank You Randy for the 500+ gal of sap at .10 a gal, the dog and pony show will start at FLS tomorrow around 2 or 3 PM if any one wants to come by and witness a miracle.
Putting finishing touches on RO will fill bulk tank with plenty of well water and off we go.

[spud]

I got 6300 gallons of sap today. Vacuum running 27 in the woods and I am ready for more tomorrow.

Spud

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

picked up 450 gal today started RO, 2% one pass come out 4.5 at 245psi, 1.25 con, 2 permeate

[spud]

I was able to get 8450 Gallons of sap this weekend. I shut the pump down tonight. Looks like it will be a week or better before we see anymore sap.

Spud

[wsugar]

Our first boil was yesterday and everything went smooth. We made 2 40 gal barrels. So off to a good start. That puts me ahead of last year by 2 days. The color is all better than golden delicate. I will use this week of cold to tweak my lift system and add taps.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

First boil also yesterday, thanks to Randy. Picked up 900 gal from him. Concentrated first 450 to 6.6 we made around 4 gal. No real problems, a few drips and some dead boiling sodas bit there never a problem.
Second boil tonight.
My 3 tower unit processing if I did my math right 145 gph

[wsugar]

Randy's helium injection must be working well to be able to give you sap

[PARKER MAPLE]

OK guys I have a question. I was tapping yesterday, and couldn't get good vac transfer in my woods. Maybe I done have the dryline right. Im using a 3/4wet and 1in dry. The 1in dry comes right out the vac chamber on the releaser and travels apprx 700' before it joins into my 3/4 wet with a y. HAve I done something wrong here?? its the dry line the cause of my problem?. I typically ran 20" all day no problem, this weekend I could only get 7". I have every leak fixed and all taps seated well....


Please Help
PARKER MAPLE

[spud]

Randy's helium injection must be working well to be able to give you sap

It might be that he has been sniffing so much Helium that he did not know he gave sap away.:lol: The talk is someone in that area has been talking squeaky.

Spud

[wiam]

OK guys I have a question. I was tapping yesterday, and couldn't get good vac transfer in my woods. Maybe I done have the dryline right. Im using a 3/4wet and 1in dry. The 1in dry comes right out the vac chamber on the releaser and travels apprx 700' before it joins into my 3/4 wet with a y. HAve I done something wrong here?? its the dry line the cause of my problem?. I typically ran 20" all day no problem, this weekend I could only get 7". I have every leak fixed and all taps seated well....


Please Help
PARKER MAPLE

Hate to say it but you have a leak. Do you still have 20 at the pump?

[Tucker08]

Got enough sap to boil, but decided to just hold off. I didnt feel like the bs require to keep sap in the pans during this next cold snap, so just decided not to start it up. extra time = more taps.

[GeneralStark]

Seems like vacuum was key with this weekend's run. I thought yesterday would have been the best day of the whole run but collected less than a pint between two buckets. Probably about .25/tap for the whole run. I think the amount of frost in the ground is the main factor. I was at Shelburne Farms this morning with some students and they were finishing up boiling what they had collected this weekend. 2 gal./tap from 550 taps with their new state of the art vacuum system pulling 27".

Still feeling good about the decision not to tap for this last run. Enabled me to finish up the vacuum system and the heated room. Now a few more details in the sugarhouse which I will finish up in the evenings. Going to get all the taps in this week and get everything ready for the next run which is looking like it may not be until mid march or later if you believe the long range.

[MikeVT]

Yah I have 300 on gravity and got around .25gal/tap both yesterday and Saturday, was able to finish a little over a gallon of golden last night. and have around 30 gallons from the pans that I will store until the next warm up, whenever that may be...?

[PARKER MAPLE]

Hate to say it but you have a leak. Do you still have 20 at the pump?

Ok, so talk to me about micro leaks then. I have repaired all leeks it were a known problem. For instance I turn pump on and walked threw woods tapping. Found multiple leaks one was a piece of 3/4 main split for apprx 10'. I thought for sure this was the problem. Went all the way back to releaser still only 7". Seams no matter how many leaks I found and fixed no change. Now my pump is 8cfm and I have apprx 2000' of mains/conductors all together. Dose the length of mains have anything to do with vac transferr? I thought that no matter the length if all tight it should work..... The things I have changed from last year are. 700' of dry line, put in check valves at releaser. I'm wove ring if it's the dry line causing the problem....

Help me
PARKER MAPLE

[wsugar]

If you think it's the dry line turn off the valve to it. I think you have a leak so big you can't hear it. But maybe not try shutting off all the lines to the releaser and check vacuum. Then turn on each line separately. Also turn the valves off to your spur lines and check. It's a frustrating problem I've been there but work on it in small sections. Also if you had sap run this weekend and you turn on your vacuum you may be good because your leak may be froze. Hope this helps.

[PARKER MAPLE]

If you think it's the dry line turn off the valve to it. I think you have a leak so big you can't hear it. But maybe not try shutting off all the lines to the releaser and check vacuum. Then turn on each line separately. Also turn the valves off to your spur lines and check. It's a frustrating problem I've been there but work on it in small sections. Also if you had sap run this weekend and you turn on your vacuum you may be good because your leak may be froze. Hope this helps.

Ok that is very true could of been frozen because some of the main was under the snow. I also went all the way to the last tap at the very end of every line, pulled it and hers vac running, but not hard..

[spud]

Sounds like you still have some frozen lines. When I first started my pump day's ago it was only reading 18 inches. The kids and I walked the woods looking for big noisy leaks. We found a dozen trees untapped and a saddle that slide down a mainline about one inch due to a tree hitting last fall. After all the fixes the vacuum only went up to 20 and I was getting concerned. About three hours later I went back to check the gauge and I was 27-28. Have you checked your check valves on your releaser? Why do you have them? They could have ice in them.

Spud

[sjdoyon]

After six days of tapping a little over 5,000 taps done. Did have a bear decide to chew up over 40 lateral lines and chew up a number of mainlines. About 14 hours of repair work done for two men so far. Hope the top section of the sugarbush doesn't have similar damage. The three feet of snow just adds to the enjoyment. Thankfully cold weather for the next week.

[PARKER MAPLE]

Thanks Spud for you input, I thought to that there was something frozen as well but It couldn't of been now that Im thinking about it because it was wicked warm for like 4 days. I think there is a lot of little leaks that I cant hear do to the lack of vacuum I have. Just got to keep looking for them I guess. I might install a bigger pump and see if that helps find the leaks.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Boiling second 450 gal concentrate at 8.9
Processing 300 we gathered today will boil again tomorrow night

[Randy Brutkoski]

Your welcome. I want 55 cents a gallon like sapper spud.

[Greenwich Maple Man]

Thanks Spud for you input, I thought to that there was something frozen as well but It couldn't of been now that Im thinking about it because it was wicked warm for like 4 days. I think there is a lot of little leaks that I cant hear do to the lack of vacuum I have. Just got to keep looking for them I guess. I might install a bigger pump and see if that helps find the leaks.

How are you going about finding your leaks ?

[PARKER MAPLE]

I don't no yet. But got to do something

[wsugar]

I don't no yet. But got to do somethingdo you have a bad gauge??

[Scribner's Mountain Maple]

Parker, What kind of pump do you have?
I had a Rotary Vane pump last year. Traditionally pulled 18-20" and at beginning of season would only go to 12". I had a broken vane. Replaced them and I was back up to higher Vac.

If not the Vac. With such a large Vacuum loss, you are talking something more than little leaks. It must be a Main line pulled apart, or a valve at the end of a mainline left open. That is my guess. Little leaks will get you inches, when you are talking about 13" down, it must be main lines.

My guess anyway. Maybe an end of Main line plug was pushed out? Walk them each. Some thing I learned from Main line problems is they are hard to hear. You literately have to step on them to find them sometimes. Little leaks whistle, big ones don't as much.

Good luck.
Ben

[PARKER MAPLE]

I have tested the pump and releaser just before installing them in the woods. They both pulled 22" for apprx 30 and I said they were good. So I believe at this point its some very big leak somewhere that I havnt found yet. I might just start putting a new main off the conductor after I isolate which one it its. Never a dull moment when you dealing with maple is it.

PARKER MAPLE

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Made around 7 gal last night have another 180 to process make a few more tonight

[spud]

I have tested the pump and releaser just before installing them in the woods. They both pulled 22" for apprx 30 and I said they were good. So I believe at this point its some very big leak somewhere that I havnt found yet. I might just start putting a new main off the conductor after I isolate which one it its. Never a dull moment when you dealing with maple is it.

PARKER MAPLE

Parker,

I had this happen to me once last year and it drove me crazy. What it turned out to be was the flapper on the bottom of my big releaser was open. It has a spring and when I shut down the night before I sprung it open so and over night dripping of sap would not freeze in the releaser. Another time I had ice in my vacuum line between my moisture trap and my releaser due to a small leak. I really think your problem is in the sugar house and not in the woods. I hope you find it soon and I look forward to hearing what it was.

Spud

[wiam]

I have tested the pump and releaser just before installing them in the woods. They both pulled 22" for apprx 30 and I said they were good. So I believe at this point its some very big leak somewhere that I havnt found yet. I might just start putting a new main off the conductor after I isolate which one it its. Never a dull moment when you dealing with maple is it.

PARKER MAPLE
Do you have a lot of valves? Can you turn off all lines coming into releaser? You need to be able to isolate any area. If you turn off all lines coming into releaser and vac does not change you have a problem with pump/releaser. If vac goes up then leaks in woods.

[lpakiz]

Parker maple,
I will also bet you have a big leak somewhere. Go over ALL lines, inch by inch, mains and laterals. Don't overlook a single place, especially where two mains join. Look for a cracked or split connector. I doubt it is micro leaks at this low vacuum. When you have hardly any vacuum, you probably will find the leaks by SEEING them, not hearing them. If you have some sap, you might discover a big leak by seeing sap dripping or feeling wet sap on the line.
Last a year I was half way thru the season when I found 2 places I used a tee for a splice because I didn't have the right connector. I intended to return later with the right one, but forgot about it over the winter. I finally found those 2 open tees and capped them off. It's been my experience that you can't find hardly any leaks until you get some vacuum up.

[PARKER MAPLE]

My sugarbush as of now dosnt have any ball valves installed where they meet the conductor line. So today I went and purchased all new ball valves, and tees. The tees im reducing to 1/4 npt nipple and installing a vac gauge. this is going to be a lot easier now with the ball valve and gauge to find out where the leaks are.

I am going back in woods tomorrow and will investigate more thoroughly for any signs of splits, cracks or leaks of any type. Then Saturday going to buy new to me 30cfm pump and install it. hopefully the larger pump will help over haul any leaks and make them easier to find.

Thanks for all the help you guys, sometime these thing drive me nuts

PAKER MAPLE

[spud]

If you are going to use PVC ball valves buy the ones from CDL with the black handles. If you buy the red handle one from places like Ace Hardware they will not open or close very well in the cold.

Spud

[PARKER MAPLE]

Thanks spud, I bought the brass ones today at Bascoms. I didn't the frozen plastic ones would hold up over time(years) in the woods.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Finished up all the sap I got from randy tonight made another 6/7 gal now drain rig tomorrow clean it up fix some small leaks on RO be ready for when the hmmer drops

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

I met Breezy from Hoosick Falls NY today and just to let every one know we solved all the countries problems in the parking lot at CDL Rutland, so tomorrow when you wake up it will be all different :lol::lol::lol:
cant divulge what we talked about because I could go to jail:mrgreen:
like Doc Tim would say "NO COMMENT"

[PARKER MAPLE]

Im glad someone keeping track of all the problems..... Go get um

[Randy Brutkoski]

I know it must have something about helium injection.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

I know it must have something about helium injection.
well that very possibly could have come up, there might be some producers using it that dont want others to know.
No Comment

[Randy Brutkoski]

I didnt use it on this last warm up but the end of next week i will be ready with it. I was told it had to be at least 37 degrees to start injecting it into my main lines. Something to do with freeze ups.

[maplwrks]

I don't think it's helium you need to be worrying about---BS is more like it!!

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

I don't think it's helium you need to be worrying about---BS is more like it!!
whats that mike Barium Sulfite injection?

[Randy Brutkoski]

That sounds way to high tech for me.

[wsugar]

I've got my lifts all fixed. Time will tell to see how they work. Maybe tomorrow. I've got some new lateral lines ran and I will try to get those tied in this weekend.

[spud]

I was able to get 750 gallons today. It started running on the South/East side of my woods at about 1:00pm today. Did anyone else get any? Still cool out and no real sugaring weather in the near forecast.

Spud

[DrTimPerkins]

I was able to get 750 gallons today. It started running on the South/East side of my woods at about 1:00pm today. Did anyone else get any?

Started trickling a little in the late afternoon, but not enough to bother with. Maybe flushed the lines a little.

[Randy Brutkoski]

I am well south of you guys and didnt really run today. Strong south wind today.

[GeneralStark]

Didn't amount to much here. Ran the vacuum pump on for the first time today after finally turning on the water to the sugarhouse. Been reluctant to do so up to this point as keeping the heated room warm has been an unnecessary expense but now sugaring season may be slowly getting started. Probably pulled in a few gallons of sap in a few hours before it froze again from 180 taps. Going to finish tapping over the next few days. Going kind of slow due to installing drops as well, but doesn't seem like there is a huge rush.

Most of my tubing has only been up for 1-2 months but I already have several leaks due to squirrels. We have a healthy and ornery RedSquirrel community here. Vacuum at 26" but once leaks are fixed should be up to 28".

Going to test boil on Sunday and hope to get enough sap through Tuesday to actually make some syrup.

[woodchuck]

Nothing happening on the line today. The trees in the yard (buckets) started dripping late this afternoon.

[Tucker08]

The wind laid down here at at about 3 and it ran a little on the sunny slopes. Will hold everything til Sunday and fire up then, hopefully.


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[chevypower]

We ended up with 44 gallons of syrup back on the 24th after sweetening the pans... The sap ran some today and we ended up with a few hundred gallons.

[Stamford sugarmaker]

I'm on the MA border and all I got was a late afternoon trickle out of some sun-facing taps.

Peter

[sjdoyon]

Still frozen solid in the NEK.

[PARKER MAPLE]

well I guess im going to get one more load of fire wood this morning and then go to the woods. I plan on starting the vac pump for most of the day. woke up this am to 27deg here and sun is slowly coming up. Looks like today will be a good running day for me here.

Good luck everyone
PARKER MAPLE

[cpmaple]

I know I'm not in VT but here in ny its cloudy and 20 out hoping to get enough to boil but not looking that way this is killing me 100%ready and nothing just I will just have to keep adding taps.

[northwoods_forestry]

Put in 350 taps yesterday. Hope to get the rest of the pipelines tapped today and boil tonight. Buckets will have to wait until tomorrow...

[steve J]

I just got back from camp small run yesterday and today it took for every for the lines to thaw and slowly running but I will not have enough to fire up until probably Tuesday with next 2 days being cold.

[GeneralStark]

Finished hooking up my new sap lifter this morning and turned the vacuum pump on at 10 am. Lines thawed, I fixed a few leaks and by 11 am the vac. was up to 28". Minimal flow from 200+ taps, but there was enough to test the new DIY electric releaser and sap lifter. Both working well, only a couple minor adjustments needed on the releaser before the next major run. Probably collected about 25 gallons all told before it froze up again. Trees are still very frozen and it will require some serious warm weather for any real runs. Going to try to get the rest of the taps in over the next couple days.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

spent a lot of money, hooked up sap sucker turned her on started checking for leaks only got vac up to 12" not enough sap really to hit 20. Lot of squirrel damage since last weekend let me see 7.62x39 + squirrel= vaporization, if I hit A maple i will just put a tap in it. Moving old milk house to field for vac house should have set tomorrow start hooking up old milk vac pump

[spud]

Sun started coming out at about 1:00 and I was planning on turning the pump on as soon as I put the little one in for her nap. About three hours later we both woke up.:lol: I have no idea if the sap would have run a little.

Spud

[Tucker08]

Got about 185 gallons today. Will boil tomorrow for the first time this year. Will be nice be back at it.


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[DoubleBrookMaple]

While finishing my sap handling installation, and test firing my home built arch with water, my initial 60 gravity taps gave me a whole 5 gallons of sap! Nice to finally test. I guess I will tap another 60 soon. Buckets will wait a while.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l2fJKQ_gupU

[Tucker08]

Got started today. Sweetened things up and managed to finish a couple of gallons. Actually ran pretty well here on gravity. Buckets did nothing. Not liking the blue plastic spouts yet at all. Time might change my mind. Was surprised with the run as it was windy and 31 degrees. The sun on the trees made up for it I guess. Good luck everyone.


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[Flat Lander Sugaring]

probably have around 60 gal in tanks going to pump and run it through tomorrow night.
Tapped Hampton NY today going back this week to fix main line and add taps will be moving second guzzler over there after we get the delaval 75 up and running

[syrup2nv]

1500 gallons yesterday and 750 today (south side only). First Boil of the season will be tomorrow. Should run decent the next 3 days if the forecast holds.

[tcross]

trying to figure out why my bb4 is getting water in the oil! none in the moisture trap what so ever. I'm thinking now it is from my exhaust which is pointed straight up for 4' then 90'd out the wall... gonna point it downward and hope all the moisture drips out? anyone ever experience that? hope a little water in the oil won't harm anything... dont' have time to drain her till the weekend!

[Geroldn]

Tapped February 22 and 23 in Northfield Vermont. 3 small runs since then. I now have 40-50 gallons of ice in the bottom of my 275 IBC tank. Yesterday I split dried wood smaller and installed 3 more taps. Nothing more to do but wait and shovel snow after Wednesday's predicted storm. I really want to run my new (to me) evaporator; I'll boil when it melts...

2013 6 buckets, 6 sap sacks, concrete block fire pit in the woods and 20 gallon agway galvanized watering pan for boiling, produced 2 gallons of 'campfire' grade, Kubota L3200 for woods work

2014 (used) 2x4 WSE evaporator, 20x30 barn/sugar house, 110 taps on gravity tubing, 2 buckets, 1 sapsack

[eustis22]

whatcha doon about the ice?

[spud]

Has anyone heard from Thad? Thad has been missing ever sense Flat Lander heard BigFoot howling in the woods while tapping.

Spud

[Walling's Maple Syrup]

Has anyone heard from Thad? Thad has been missing ever sense Flat Lander heard BigFoot howling in the woods while tapping.

SpudI was at Thad's this past Tuesday. He said something about his computer crashing. He also mumbled something about being mad at Spud for charging too much for sap. I only caught half of it though.:lol:
Neil

[wiam]

I talked to Thad on the phone yesterday he said he should finish tapping yesterday

[MikeVT]

Tapped February 22 and 23 in Northfield Vermont. 3 small runs since then. I now have 40-50 gallons of ice in the bottom of my 275 IBC tank. Yesterday I split dried wood smaller and installed 3 more taps. Nothing more to do but wait and shovel snow after Wednesday's predicted storm. I really want to run my new (to me) evaporator; I'll boil when it melts...

2013 6 buckets, 6 sap sacks, concrete block fire pit in the woods and 20 gallon agway galvanized watering pan for boiling, produced 2 gallons of 'campfire' grade, Kubota L3200 for woods work

2014 (used) 2x4 WSE evaporator, 20x30 barn/sugar house, 110 taps on gravity tubing, 2 buckets, 1 sapsack
I am in the same boat. 30 or so gallons of sap frozen in my tank in the sugar woods. I will have to find a way to get the sap out of there when and if the sap ever does run again. I tapped my trees in Jericho on Feb 20th, and have had 15 days with no sap running. these 38 degree days off and on have produced nothing but a drop of sap per tree. YAY!!! lets hope for a great late season sugaring season!

[GeneralStark]

Today has been the best flow yet once the lines thawed but still pretty slow. Presently 35 degrees and vac. running at 27". Electric releaser is dialed in and working well. May be able to boil next weekend at this rate. Still have 200 taps to put in.

[spud]

I was at Thad's this past Tuesday. He said something about his computer crashing. He also mumbled something about being mad at Spud for charging too much for sap. I only caught half of it though.:lol:
Neil

That's funny.:)

Spud

[Tucker08]

Was poor down here in Shaftsbury. Got to 39° but never really ran. Yesterday was much cooler, but it ran well. Today warmer, not running all. Go figure. That's okay, a few things and the sugarhouse to fix should be ready to go for tomorrow.


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[Randy Brutkoski]

Thads computer did crash. I talked to him a couple days ago.

[GeneralStark]

Ran a bit overnight though I did have to shut off the pump about 10:30 due to an ice jam in the releaser. Despite being in a heated room, the connection between the manifold and chamber froze solid. We were hovering right around freezing. Also, because my system is so tight I have to introduce a leak at the releaser or else the pump cavitates as it is not getting any air. That doesn't help the ice issue. Looks like I need a vac. regulator. Anyway, turned the pump back on this morning and it is running pretty well. Could get a decent run today before the next storm.

[cpmaple]

generalshark what do you have for a temp this am here in ny just over the bridge its 31

[spud]

The pump is on and I hope for some sap today. They say it is going to hit 43 but for right now it is 34 and a little rain. It smells like sugaring weather outside. I sure hope this is the start of something good.

Spud

[GeneralStark]

generalshark what do you have for a temp this am here in ny just over the bridge its 31

It is now around 34 and sap is running, but it was about 32.5 for most of the night.

[cpmaple]

It is now around 34 and sap is running, but it was about 32.5 for most of the night.

Hoping to get something for a run today myself this waiting game it starting to drive me nuts. I've seen several people in vt that posted they have boiled already I'm jealous lol

[tcross]

hoping the 2nd half of my main line will thaw! the first 1/2 is running but there must be ice blockage somewhere in there cuz I have 0 vacuum at the end... actually 1/2 way through till the end! urrggghhh!!! 28" at the releaser 0" at the very end of the line!

[GeneralStark]

I was having that same issue yesterday in a flat spot but it thawed pretty quick. It is 45 degrees here and everything is thawed and the sap is flowing well. I hope it keeps up the rest of the day.

[spud]

No sap today for me. It just never got warm enough in the woods and there was a slight breeze. Hope it comes soon.

Spud

[sjdoyon]

We had 600-700 gallons come in but will probably dump it since it's going through some new tubing. Still repairing some bear damage and tightening up the system. Here comes 10-20" of snow. Time to scream uncle with this weather. Supposed to be cold all next week.

[wdchuck]

Got a little bit of green sap in the afternoon. No sun at all! Not that it mattered- turned the vacuum pump on and it went to 6in. I guess I forgot to install one of those whips...

[wiam]

Spent most of the day chasing leaks. Got the releaser all the way to 5".

[spud]

I hope you guy's get your vacuum up and running real soon. It looks like the middle of next week sugaring will start in the northern part of the state.

Spud

[woodchuck]

I worked in Springfield today and saw 51 degrees, apparently it didn't get that warm at home. ;(

Glad that Im ready since getting around in the woods might get tough!

[GeneralStark]

Ran pretty well today and is actually still coming in, but showing signs of freezing up soon. Probably collected close to 300 gallons from 300 taps today at 26.5". Sugar is 1.9%. Looks like back to winter for a few days so thinking of boiling it all off tomorrow.

[Tucker08]

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/03/12/9yzy6aty.jpg

Wrapping up for the night.


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[PATheron]

Spud and Thad- If things straighten out can you guys still have a good season? I feel bad you guys have so much snow but what can you do? Can you actually sugar the whole month of April or is that not a possibility? Theron

[Randy Brutkoski]

In the woods fixing leaks all day. Collected 5000 gallons of 2%. Went to turn the r.o on and noticed a leak. Need to buy 2 O rings in the morning before i concentrate. There is always something.

[syrup2nv]

Made 80 gallons of Golden Delicate tonight.

[spud]

Spud and Thad- If things straighten out can you guys still have a good season? I feel bad you guys have so much snow but what can you do? Can you actually sugar the whole month of April or is that not a possibility? Theron

Last year this time I already had 19,000 gallons of sap. This year I have 10,000 so it's not terrible. Last year I had 13 runs in March. We still have 19 days left to this March so I can still do good if it starts soon. Middle of next week looks like the sugaring weather will start for me. Last year my season ended April 20th. It is possible for the season to go a little longer. I feel I still have time to have a very good season. I am supposed to get 18 inches of snow tomorrow. They already canceled schools for tomorrow. With all this snow it's hard for the frost to melt allowing the trees to run.

Spud

[Walling's Maple Syrup]

Spud,
What ever happened with the fall taps you put in? Did you ever ream them? How many gpt did you get from them?
Neil

[spud]

Spud,
What ever happened with the fall taps you put in? Did you ever ream them? How many gpt did you get from them?
Neil

Neil,

I reamed the holes March 1st. As of right now I am up to 31.25 GPT. The sugar is going up as of the other day to 2.2%. I am hoping to get 40+ GPT by the end of the season with an average sugar of 2.0%.

Spud

[Wrangler13]

Got about 13 gallons of sap form 27 taps yesterday. Will finish boiling tonight.

[syrup2nv]

Processed 6500 gallons of sap today and made 130 gallons of syrup tonight.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

boiled last two nights, RO membranes went south on me, Ordered 1 more from Joe. Made about 6 gal last two nights still sap in tank but like I said RO down.


FYI Atlantic RO had a fire lost a lot of inventory in NC, my XLE coming out of Arkansas or something.

Yea Thad looking at sites he shouldnt have been :lol: wife found out so I guess you can say the computer "crashed"

[noreast maple]

LMAO:lol::o:cry:

[GeneralStark]

Blizzard boiling yesterday. Tested the new rig on water and then ran the almost 400 gallons of sap from the recent small runs through it. Worked very well and boils hard. Wasn't even running it that hard so I'm pretty sure it will do 100+/hour once I have it dialed in. Sweetened the pans and made about 4 gallons of "golden delicate" with good flavor. Probably not going to get any sap for several days so time to finish tapping and get things better organized in the sugarhouse.

Probably 2 ft. of fresh snow here and heavy winds all night. Going to be a little slower getting around in the woods.

[sjdoyon]

back in the woods to remove two feet of snow off of about 3,000 ft on the wet/dry lines which were sitting on three feet of snow. Sure will be nice to have the season to start.

[lakeview maple]

boiled last two nights, RO membranes went south on me, Ordered 1 more from Joe. Made about 6 gal last two nights still sap in tank but like I said RO down.


FYI Atlantic RO had a fire lost a lot of inventory in NC, my XLE coming out of Arkansas or something.

Yea Thad looking at sites he shouldnt have been :lol: wife found out so I guess you can say the computer "crashed" IM still laughing ,thanks for the chuckle Flats.

[GeneralStark]

Pump is on and we'll see what happens. Starting to thaw and sap is trickling. About 40 here already and the winds have been honking out of the south all night. Have a few adjustments to make to the rig before the next boil, but that may not be until next week unless we actually get some sap today.

[woodchuck]

We had temps in the 40s yesterday. I ran the pump for a hour or so a few times with very little flow. Vacuum was a bit low so I will walk the lines today.
Glad mom taught me patience.....

[spud]

I got about 400 gallons yesterday and the vacuum was down an inch due to the weather. It looks like the good weather is coming mid week and the season should start for us. I am glad to read people are doing well south of me and I hope you all have a great season.

Spud

[northwoods_forestry]

The run yesterday in Southeast Vt was a bit miserly, at least on my hilltop. Despite temps in the low 40's and occasional sun the trees didn't open up until afternoon by which time we had a stiff SW breeze and increasing clouds. I took in 150 gallons off 600 gravity taps and 150 buckets. Sugar content a little improved over the last run, up to 1.5%.

[GeneralStark]

Collected about 150 gallons from just over 400 taps yesterday. Running 26.5" and system is working well. Got the sap lifter all dialed in so it seems to be working flawlessly for now. Had some friends over last night so we boiled off what we collected and made a few gallons of golden delicate.

[PerryFamily]

Ran pretty well here in Westminster in the late afternoon but not really enough to do anything with. With all the tanks oversized and having 4" of ice in them it can stay there until the next run which looks like middle of the week. Finally got the gas powered pumps running well with the second auxillary fuel tank going in today. Other than a few housekeeping things pretty quiet here.

[Randy Brutkoski]

Getting ready to fire up the incinerator in about an hour. It will be my first boil of the season. I have 550 gallons of 18%. I was at almost 2000 gallons this time last year. The leaks in the woods have been rediculous. Cant keep up with the squirells.

[Randy Brutkoski]

Sweetened the pans and made 2 barrels. No problems, that was different.

[Tucker08]

Got 150 gallons yesterday and boiled it off last night. Made some real nice stuff. Great flavor. Waiting now...again.


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[spud]

Still eating Sarah Lee pound cake and drinking coffee. Waiting for something to happen.

Spud

[PARKER MAPLE]

Sorry fellas I have been off line for awhile, lots going on here. I have been work a little bit on the pipe line in woods. I big thank you to Thad and his expertise. The ball valve / vac gauge setup saved me a lot of leg work that's for sure. I got her rolling at 22" now and I hope that's where it will stay. I found lots and lots of chew damage. I have shot 8 squirrels at this point and everytime I go in the woods the 22 goes with me..

I have many more orders now then I have ever had, hope we can make some syrup this year so maybe I can fill them. Yesterday I finished tapping, then loaded the family in for a drive. We went south on old rt7a where we found the sugar shack boiling. Stopped in to check those guys out. I can't get over what a nice place they have there, and always nice to talk with.

Anyways I guess I'm back to waiting for a few more days
Parker Maple

[sapmaple]

What a battle this year with the snow and really cold temps. this year. Right now it -10 Boiled twice so far made 240 gals.
Last year was at 1455 at this time. Like I have always said this year will be different then last year and different then any other year for that matter

[wiam]

We had -21 this am. No sap fora while.

[wdchuck]

-13 ........Still no panic.....what will I do today?

[sjdoyon]

Had about 800 gallons come in Saturday afternoon in a short period of time. Was able to sweeten the pans and make a few gallons yesterday. Waiting for the warmer weather to come in on Wednesday and hopefully things will get going for the rest of the week. Back to shoveling some mainlines this afternoon.

[spud]

-13 ........Still no panic.....what will I do today?

Pound cake and coffee my friend.

Spud

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Fire in the hole! Clean up bulk tank before it freezes any harder

[vermontpure]

Boiled for the first time this year on saturday & burnt the whole batch. Great start to the season. Atleast it looks like I've got plenty of time to scrub my pan & hopefully what sap ran late saturday night won't freeze so tight it pops my buckets.

[sjdoyon]

Temps were cold today with the morning starting out at -10 but had a good run this afternoon with the sun out. Looks like it might be a good next four days.

[GeneralStark]

Micro run here. Trees in the sun ran a bit in the afternoon, but didn't amount to much. I'm impressed that it ran well in the NEK, because here in the banana belt the lines didn't thaw til about 3 pm and then froze up again fast soon after. Looks like we will have some decent runs the next few days which is good because I would like to have sap to boil for open house weekend.

[spud]

Now the weather man is saying no day's in the 40s this week. I just ordered more Pound Cake and Coffee. :)

Spud

[sjdoyon]

Not liking your weather man Spud.

Had about 450 gallons come in today from our sugarbush behind the sugarhouse. Hope to get 1,000 plus gallons tomorrow so we can fire up the RO. Will be shoveling out lines for the next 4-6 days.

[Randy Brutkoski]

No sap again today. 2000 gallons this time last year and i am at 65 gallons right now with 900 more taps this year. Not looking good. I hope i have sap for open house weekend coming up. Had between 200 and 225 poeple at last years open house weekend.

[GeneralStark]

Pulled in maybe 50 gallons of sap from almost 500 taps today. Took a while for things to thaw out despite the warm temps. Sap is still trickling in at 32.5 degrees and steady snow. Going to leave the pump on through the weekend in hopes of pulling in every possible drop for open house weekend. Spent the evening making candy and cream so we have plenty of stuff to sell. Have no idea what to expect for attendance but we'll be ready.

[wsugar]

Made another barrel of syrup last night. Hope we have sap for the weekend.

[maplwrks]

No sap yesterday---pulled the plug on an open house this weekend. I think I'll go to Randys' and eat hot dogs! I was hoping last nights storm would be rain, but 4" snow instead. We gotta get some frost out of the ground before much happens here. Pumps are on and nuttins' comin' out!!

[Stamford sugarmaker]

What are the implications of tapping too early? I've got maybe 70% on tubing (no vacuum) and 30% on buckets. Tapped 2 weeks ago. Got 30 gallons sap.

Does tubing or buckets seal up first? How long?

thanks, Peter

[GeneralStark]

Depends. New spouts? Typically buckets will dry up first, but not always. I have had buckets go 5+ weeks with new spouts. But, I have also had them dry up after 3 weeks with used spouts.

Pulled in a little more sap overnight. A couple inches of snow and now it is raining. Supposed to hit 40 today so maybe we'll get a run.

[Randy Brutkoski]

I think if you tapped 2 weeks ago that you should be ok. I know a guy near me that has had his buckets in for about a month at least and he tapped his pipeline at the end of december. that might be trouble for him. Off to the sugarhouse to make a batch of maple butter. Made cream last night. nothing else to do. Thinking of getting these blocks of ice out of my tanks and making sculptures of myself, that will drive the ladys nuts for open house.

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

[QUOTE. Pumps are on and nuttins' comin' out!![/QUOTE]

Hey Mike, my pumps are on and there is a lot coming out but unfortunately it is mostly air. The critter damage is as bad as I have ever seen. Hope I get them stopped up before we get any amount of sap!

[maplwrks]

The local paper called me for an interview last night and I was asked what we did while waiting for the sap to run. I told him that the time was spent getting the tubing real tight , so when the sap did run, we were ready. He really couldn't understand what would need to be done! This will be one of those years where you will want to be ready when it comes as I don't think the season will be very long.... I would like to be more optimistic, but time is ticking away. The trees are going to start reacting to the additional sunlight and will start budding. I do think we will sugar into April, maybe into mid April---we'll see!