Best 2x6 for the money??

[ldmerritt]

Have been researching 2x6's in an attempt to determine the best value. Can anyone give me some advice for the various models available on the market, GBM, Leader, D&G etc. I want get the unit that gives me the most "bang" for the buck$$. I have reasonable goals on syrup production, I'm trying to avoid the "regrets" mode. I buy this expensive evaporator and advertise to my wife that I will triple production and end up making less than I did on my kettle stove. HELP!!!

[Haynes Forest Products]

Well you will do alot better with a 2X6 than a kettel. Its a fun size BUT when you get up to 400 taps your days are long. But just think how that thing will work with a RO. I had a 2x8 and it was a heck of a rig for English tin and when I got 1000 taps to do I had to go to the 3x10 and things are back to being long days...................but ya got to love the producton

[peckfarm]

I put this list on another thread...maybe it will help:

Thor, Algier
http://thorinc.ca/indexen.htm

Phaneuf
http://www.maplesyrupevaporators.com/

Leader
http://www.leaderevaporator.com/

Maple Pro, CDL, Dallaire
http://www.cdl-dallaire.com/

Lapierre Waterloo Small
http://www.sugaringequipment.elapierre.com/default_en.asp?no=101

Dominion and Grimm (D&G)
http://www.dominiongrimm.ca/en/produits?sectionid=15

GBM
http://www.gbmllc.com/evaporator.html
(Grapes: http://www.cvpromos.com/grapesequipment/index.cfm)

H2O Innovations (in french)
http://erabliere.h2oinnovation.com/

WF Mason Welding
http://wfmasonwelding.com/

[S Culver]

You sound like you are having the same problems I am. You are so far south like I am it is very hard to get face to face with this equipment. I have found 2 guys near to you that at least when I talked with them were more than willing to have me over to look at there operation and help set you up with what you need. One of them ( Puffinburger SP) had a 2x6 home made flat pan set up new for about $ 1,800.00 not sure if he still has it? Go to the Leader web site and look under dealers in VA and those are the two. Good luck and let me know if I should make the trip I am about 2hrs norht of you.

[red maples]

It is difficult to get a comparison opinion from most of us. obviously we do the research but alot of us try to go with the cheaper one I guess depends on how much you have budgeted for it. I say the best thing is to talk to a dealer and get there recommendation. Give bascom's or the maple guys(they are a lapierre dealer) a call and see what they have to say. As For the best bang for the buck try to get one that is 2-3 years old. it will be cheaper than new and work just as well. this could save you as much as $2000 from a new one. 4ft through 8ft evaps are retaining value alot more since the RO has become so popular. it is possible to have a 2x6 with an RO and run as many as 1500 to 2000 taps.

but try to look into your cyrstal ball and see what you have the possibility to grow to in the future, and go by hayne's recommendations for tap count. There are more than just RO's to improve boiling...forced air, steam aways, preheaters what ever.

As far as your comparison I didn't answer your question but hope it helped.

[Dennis H.]

Buying used may not be as good a value as you might think. The "small" evap's are holding thier value quit nicely. It seems that they are selling used not much less than new.
When do you want it? Are you planning for next season, not this coming season? If you are wait and order one in the spring. You can usually get 10% off for preordering in the spring.
Call The Maple Guys, great people to deal with. I was going to go with a Leader evap but I would have to stick with the WSE, but once I checked with Chris on the Lapierre 2x5 my mind was set.
Now if money is no object and you have time to wait there is Patrick up in Canada. He makes one heck of an evap. But you will have to be patient with him for what I hear. He is a one man band so to speak. He also delievers it right to you place. but in your case that could be a down side, you are really far south.

Hope it helps good luck on what you decide.

[Thad Blaisdell]

I would give this guy a call and see what they can do. He is new and hungry for business.

W H SUPPLY LLC
833 MACHIA ROAD
SHELDON VT 05483

802-868-0941 STORE

802-752-5263 MATT'S CELL

[maplwrks]

Thad--Is This Matt that worked at Lapierre?

[stoweski]

Craigslist worked for me... three times. Twice to buy, once to sell. It's always nice to have lots of pictures - or have something close by that you can look at before driving all that way to pick it up. It's also nice to have someone who is honest and can describe where/when they bought it, what's happened to it (repairs???, scorching???) and why they're getting rid of it. Keep your eyes open - and use searchtempest for multiple craigslist searches within a certain distance from you.

Good luck in your search.
Keith

[Thad Blaisdell]

Yes it is. They are building me all new pans right now for much cheaper than anyone else would. I havent gotten my pans back yet but I know they have started them. I saw some of the work they have done on other pans and I was impressed.

[markct]

the best 2x6 is a 2x8 in my oppinion, the cost isnt much more but there is a good production increase with the extra 2ft of flue pan

[3rdgen.maple]

Buying used may not be as good a value as you might think. The "small" evap's are holding thier value quit nicely. It seems that they are selling used not much less than new.
When do you want it? Are you planning for next season, not this coming season? If you are wait and order one in the spring. You can usually get 10% off for preordering in the spring.
Call The Maple Guys, great people to deal with. I was going to go with a Leader evap but I would have to stick with the WSE, but once I checked with Chris on the Lapierre 2x5 my mind was set.
Now if money is no object and you have time to wait there is Patrick up in Canada. He makes one heck of an evap. But you will have to be patient with him for what I hear. He is a one man band so to speak. He also delievers it right to you place. but in your case that could be a down side, you are really far south.

Hope it helps good luck on what you decide.

Im scratching my head on this one. I looked at every brand out there when I bought my 2x6 and Patricks stood out amongst them all in my opinion. His work is top notch. As far as pricing his was around 2 grand cheaper. As said the downside is delivery time but worth the wait.

[Dennis H.]

When I asked for a quote on one the price was more than the one I got thru The Maple Guys.
Maybe he doesn't do the early spring rebate thing I don't know. The biggest concern for me was will it be delievered on time for me to get it setup. I just didn't feel it was worth the risk.

Now if I had no time line I probably would have ordered one thru him, the quality is just simply awesome.

[3rdgen.maple]

Dennis Im thinking he raised his pricing from the high demand since I bought mine in 2009. He did quote me a trade in for a 3x8 last year and It was a great price. Delivey is a little scary but he came through for me. When it comes to ordering things spending that kind of money and waiting can be fustrating for sure.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Here's my dealer who is Amish and tremendous to deal with. He is 4 hours from me but a lot closer to you in Salisbury, PA. He often has some used 2x6's and and is dealer for several different companies.

Henry Brenneman

572 Oakdale Rd
Salisbury, PA 15558

(814) 941-8974