Small Brothers

[Big Rock Farm]

I just ran across a Small Brothers. It's 8' or 10' foot long. The bottom is rusty. What is it worth? I just a milk jugger, so this big thing is kind of scary. Thanks for any feed back.

[morningstarfarm]

Sorry but we are going to need some more info to be of much help...how wide is it...is it just the pans or complete arch...are the pans stainless or tin...soldered or welded...and some pics would be helpful...

[Big Rock Farm]

Thanks Morning Star. I'd say its about three foot wide. I believe the pans are stainless. I don't want to sound like a rookie, but the arch is what the pans sit on, right. If I'm right it has a rusty arch. Not sure on the solder or weld. I'll go back on the mountain and get some pics. Thanks for helping me out. I'll get something posted soon.

[Big Rock Farm]

New info. It is a Small Brothers Lightning. Measurements are roughly 3x12. I'll put the pics on another post. The pics aren't great, but hopefully good enough.

[Big Rock Farm]

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[Big Rock Farm]

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[morningstarfarm]

Ok, those are soldered stainless pans...the brown you are seeing is most likely nitre not rust and should clean up with an acid wash...the arch is the fire box under the pans..and can be rebuilt easily...good size setup should handle around 2000 taps comfortably...how much are they asking for it? If it is affordable to your budget and fits your tap count I would jump on it...

[Big Rock Farm]

They haven't priced it yet. The owner going in for surgery Tuesday, so I told her I'd come back in a coulpe weeks. What do you think it's worth. A best guess will do. Thanks again.

[n8hutch]

Small brothers made really good stuff. We had a few of them other the years. Just keep in mind that is most likely lead soldered. No doubt you can make great syrup on that rig but if you plan on growing & selling bulk syrup to big packers that is going to be a less than desirable pan set. In other words don't over pay. If you can buy it right go for it. Anything over 1,000.00$ & I would look for something that will still have value in the future.

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

The "Lightning Evaporator" was a product of GH Grimm. Not sure of the date that Small Brothers bought them out, I have a Grimm lightning with the back pan made on 1991...Lead solder. I believe by '94 all manufacturers were using non lead solder. There should be a plate on the pans that indicates manufacture date. They may not be lead soldered.

[argohauler]

Wonder if they ran it like it's set up. I've always seen the finishing pan over the firebox. You can a test kit to test for lead solder. You'll get around 85 Imperial gallons/ hour with a 3x12 like that. One thing I didn't like about Small Brothers, was their floats that liked to leak.

[n8hutch]

The term Lightening was not exclusive to GH Grimm. We had two different ones in the 80's made by Small Brothers. Maybe Grimm liscenced the brand I couldn't tell you. But both companies operated at the same time..the way I understand it Small Brothers was bought out right around the time they stopped using Lead solder 1994-1995.

[markcasper]

You also want to check the arch out closer.........I have seen two of these "bow" in the middle really bad and your pans are tipping into each other. It may look fine where its at, and then after you move it becomes apparent.

[Big Rock Farm]

I was afraid that it might be lead soldered. I guess I'll ask how old it is, and go from there. The Mason XL may go back to the top of the list.