Any info on Algier evaporators?

[motowbrowne]

Hey guys,

I haven't picked it up yet (too much sap still), but I just made a deal on a used 4x14 Algier evaporator. I know that they're no longer in business, but I'm wondering if anyone knows any history. I've searched around on here, but only found a couple of mentions of them.

The rig is pretty simple, totally plain Jane, which I like. The syrup pan is a little interesting to me. It's 4'x4' and it's one big cross flow pan. I wanted my new rig to be cross flow, but I don't think I've seen a rig with just one big pan like that. It's actually reversible, so you're drawing off either by the front corner near the arch front, or the back corner by the flue pan. Hopefully it works well, and would be easy to replace if I want to add a second syrup pan for cleaning purposes.

Any info you guys could offer would be great. I'll try to get a couple pictures to put up.

Thanks,
Ryan

[Chip Burner]

Ryan

They are now Thor evaporators. I use a set of 5x16 Algier pans which I bought new in 2001. I have 3 cross flow pans. I have never seen the one pan unit that you described.

I did replace the flue pan float which came with it and want to change the syrup pan float. I don't know what Thor uses now but am looking for info on them also.

Good luck with your new rig

.Jim

[Russell Lampron]

Rodney Algier was one of the partners of the Small Brothers Evaporator Co which went out of business in 1995. The deal with Small Brothers was that Rodney couldn't make sugaring equipment for 5 years after they went out of business. In 2000 Rodney started making and selling Algier brand evaporators and equipment. Algier evaporators were the Cadillac of the industry with some nice features compared to the other manufacturers.

The Lapierre company and Algier used the same foundry to make there cast iron parts and Lapierre being the larger of the two made the foundry over charge Algier. The result was that Algier had to pay as much for a 2x6 arch front as Lapierre was paying for a 4x12 arch front. That made it so that Algier had to charge more and thus not be able to compete price wise with the other manufacturers. In 2005 Algier was forced out of business. Rodney's son, I think his name is Chris but I could be wrong, started the Thor company. I'm not sure what year Thor was started or even if it is still in business.

I bought my Algier evaporator in the fall of 2000 and am quite happy with it. Some of the features that I like are the heavy cast iron grates which are massive compared to the ones that Leader makes for it's 2x6 evaporators. The float boxes drop down below the rails which makes the float box deeper so that you can get full flow out of the valve to the front pan if you ever need to get sap into the front pan in a hurry. The weld quality it top notch and the fit and finish is as good as or better than the competition.

[Moser's Maple]

we have a 4x12 algier with the single cross flow reversable pan. As mentioned before you have to watch out for the float connections, especially in the front pan. Over time the rod that holds the rubber stopper wears and the valve can get stuck sometimes.
We have the airtight front with both AOF, and AUF fire. Whats nice about the blowers that were used (at least in our rig) was they are an inline duct fan. We had one go up this year and was pleasantly surprise that it was less than $200 to get a new fan.
When we bought ours brand new we were told to run the front pan about 3/4in-1in deep of sap. Now running concentrate we run between 1 1/2-1 3/4 in of sap. Our 4x12 with concentrate will evaporator with syrup draw offs between 200-210 gph and all we have is a hood. I now this because because because we concentrate to around 6.5-8% and I can keep my flow rate on the concentrate side at 180 gph. I can gain a little when the rig is warming up, but once I start taking draws the ro will not keep of the rig.
Basically from what I have been told (now I could be wrong) is the airtight AOF/AUF model is basically an early version of the Lapierre huricane arch.
We love our rig, just wish the front floats were different

[maple flats]

Thor is indeed still around and going strong. I have a Thor set of pans and hoods that I put on my old Grimm arch. They make quality equipment and they don't just do cookie cutter design. When I ordered my pans their std. flue height was 7.5", I asked for 10" and they said OK. I also had them add 4 extra" to the height, no problem. Those 2 upgrades added $300 to their base price for a 3x3 syrup pan, same side draw and a 3x5 flues pan. At that time they only had 1 English speaking guy so I had to speak to him. It proved not to be an issue. I ordered in early June and they said it would be finished in Sept. They then contacted me in mid Aug to say it was ready. Unfortunately I couldn't get time to drive up (I wanted to pick it up rather than risk damage in transit) until Labor Day weekend. Bad choice, at the border, everyone from 3 states was trying to cross at the same time. It took me 5 hrs. going north, just at the border on Friday evening and 7 hrs coming south mid day Sat. In the end I got a real sweet rig and a good bonus. When I had placed my order I'd asked the price for a hood to match and they said $1900 US. I decided I'd make my own again. However when I got there they had a 1 yr old demo with 2 tiny dents that they offered for $800 and I bought that too.
The pans came with the valves and all, I only had to add thermometers, the hoods also came with 2 SS stacks 15" x 7' tall. I had to add the rest.
The quality is second to none. After 3 seasons I did have one weld that came loose, where a partition separated and I called. They immediately said I could bring it back or ship it for free repair, or I could find a good local SS welder, have him repair it and they'd pay the bill. I choose that option and Thor pd. the bill, no questions asked.
Great equipment, good company to deal with. By the way, they now have more than one who speaks English.

[motowbrowne]

Thanks for the info guys. That's exactly what I was looking for. I didn't see how the floats worked, since they weren't installed when I saw it. Jim (chip burner) if you do find a better float for the pans, would you mind letting me know? I'd love to see what you come up with. Sounds like I'll need to pay good attention to them next season. Are they prone to get stuck open, or closed?