well i was out side all day today working on the evaporator got the fire brick in and the pans all nice and clean got all the tanks cleaned and ready to go all i need to do is wait for the time to tap and collect
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well i was out side all day today working on the evaporator got the fire brick in and the pans all nice and clean got all the tanks cleaned and ready to go all i need to do is wait for the time to tap and collect
We've used one - but it makes your mainline REALLY heavy. Lots of sags and extra side ties or posts to keep things flowing downhill because of how much stainless wire it uses. You're better off using the usual galvanized ties that everyone else uses. We've also used plastic zip ties and black electrical tape. The zip ties are OK but if a limb goes over the mainline dozens of them on either side of the limb will break. Electrical tape lasts a few years and then becomes brittle and falls off.Quote:
Originally Posted by Valley View Sugarhouse
Theron - I like the update on your pics. I took a bunch of pics of our finished tank house but had some memory stick problems and lost them all. I should have more to update everyone on our progress in the new bush after the 20th. I noticed you're using the insert plugs at the end of your mainlines. We've used them for years but we're planning to use a ball valve at the mainline ends in the new bush. The insert plug will leak after a few years of removing it to wash your mainlines.
Andrew- Ill be 38 in a couple of months. My grandfather got me started with a homeade barrell evap he used in his lawn in town. My dad and he made it and I can actually remember them doing it. He had some big old sugarmaples in his lawn. My grandfather had a large syrup operation when my dad was a kid on the farm. When gramps got older he sold the farm and moved to town. Thats where I got introcuced to syruping. Ennis- I think im going to use the valves there too. Ive just gotten so overwhelmed that I stuck them in there just to make things operational for this year. I figure I can fine tune after season. It looks like I may be done a little early with my stuff but I wasnt sure how close to season Id be when I got stuff ready to go. Im hoping to be pretty much done in a couple of weeks maybe three. Everything takes longer than I think it will. Im looking foreward to seeing pics of your tank house. Theron
I took a day off yesterday from the bush and went on my own Pa Maple Tour.
I went to troy Pa. to pick up a couple of tanks for the woods. We visited with four different sugar-makers. The first stop was at Shiloh Maple In Ulysses. A beautiful 3 story timber frame building. The next stop was at Sugermasters operation. Everyone should have such a nice operation as his. Two rigs in a row and a very nice sales area. Plus more stuff than an one man should have. the next stop was to pick up the tanks in Troy, the main reason for this road trip.This gentleman has a small shack with a 4x12 . plus something everyone should have, a band saw mill. The last stop was at Patheron's. The photos of his sugarhouse does not do it justice. Theron has done a very nice job building his operation from the ground up. It was a very enjoyable day meeting nice people that are excited about showing you there operations. Each operation is the same only different. Every one is making the same product, but approaching it in a different way. It was a great trip! Now back to work.
headed out yeaterday tubing tool in one hand and chainsaw in other, on the east and north side the ice was still on the trees. woods littered with branches. walking was impossible on the ice [forgot ice creepers]. was still sawing after dark. will finish today. my arms and feet never hurt so bad from sawing and carrying everything. decided to get a [turkey slicer] saw for days like that, that is light weight. problem with those little saws is i will cut my self. these swings in weather temps and the high winds and ice are doing my trees in more than global warming temps in the winter months. that causes the thunder storms and high winds and ice.
Mapleking has a buddy that wraps his mainline with one of the gizmos the phone company uses the best I can remember. He has a little canyon to go over and uses it in that location if I can remember correctly and I think he is happy with it.
I have used lashing wire from the utility co. to make my own wire ties. Usually do it while watching tv. Makes me feel like a lady who knits while watching tv. I also make my drop lines while watching tv.
But any ways the reason I like using lashing wire is it is stainless steel wire and will never rust. The galv. wire ties are ok but tend to rust a little where the wire twist together.
I looked into a lashing machine that the utility co uses but are pretty expensive. It would be nice to know somebody that would let you borrow one to use. All you need to do is pull the lashing machine along as you walk.
Keith
Good morning everyone,
Just thought I would post an update.
Stopped by the metal shop yesterday, the major parts of our evaporation enhancement unit are all soldiered together.
Just need to find a day to get with Ken to put it together and pipe it up, check for leaks and bring it home.
Oh yeah got to pay for it!!!
I know my updates are pretty much small compared to some of you folks, but they're updates to a small addictive hobby!!!!!
I can think of worse hobbies though!!!!!
PATHERON - nice looking sugar house and setup. I can tell you take a lot of pride in what you are doing and how things look and that is appealing to the customer.
What your grandfather did for you I am trying to do for my grandson and I think it is working!!!!
Ibby- how are those Amish folks doing, are they going to give you a hand this year?
A few more weeks and we'll be tapping here, can't wait!!
Get your snow shovels out, here it comes again!!!!!
Everyone stay safe and keep in touch.
Dave
Dave and 3%. Thank you very much for the compliments. 3%- Im very interested to see how your steamaway works. Keep me posted. It will be very interesting to see how much it speeds up your boil rate. With the cost of a new equivalent unit it would be great it it speeds up your boil for a fraction of the cost. Those lashers you guys are talking about we use at work for telephone/communication type work. The one we have is extremely heavy. Ive had the same thought but I think A guy would have to see about a lighter weight one. It would be real fast but only problem is if it breaks like you guys are saying it would unwind. Have a happy Theron
ok every one i just added more photo's of my evaporator and more
Bingo - we used it on one section of mainline and when we've had to make repairs it's been a royal PITA! A 4-wheeler works great for pulling the lasher and the one we've got you can use either one or two strands of stainless wire. It's OK but we won't use it again.Quote:
Originally Posted by PATheron
i just finished adding another 100 photo's to my photbucket so take a look and tell me what you think
I finished bricking my new arch yesterday. My friend who helped me fell on the ice on the way to the sugar house. He fell on a 3 lb sledge hammer and he thinks he broke a rib. That didn’t stop him from bricking though. We finished in time to watch the PATRIOTS kick ace! Again. I updated my pictures if any one is interested.
jemskline how many gallons can that boil off? nice pics
30 gph going full steam with a blower
Well we just finished sealing the sugarhouse this past week. Got all the batton board nailed on. The cracks were getting pretty wide between the hemlock siding. Now we will have to find some windows to put in but that will have to wait till next year.To many other things to do before the sap starts running. Need to find some material to build a grate and a new door for the fire box. We are also wanting to make some short tubing runs into plastic barrels or totes if we have time. The two crazy old men are tired of carrying the 5 gallon jugs it will be easier to pump it.
Andyp
AndyP,
Welcome to the world of crazy old men (and a few young ones too:))
I made my forced air grates from 3 x 3 x 1/2 inch thick angle iron. They have a little sag to them after 6 years but will hold a fire for another couple. Let us know how the short run tubing works. We can compare notes.
The Steel-head should be ready for you up here!
Chris
It is amazing the more work you do the more you have to do! Stacked a load of wood that has been sitting in the dump truck since before Christmas. Went to the woods and tied up some main line and dug 8 holes with the post hole digger.I am building a platform to set the bulk tanks on. I want to get them high enough to drain them into the 550 in the dump truck. that way i wont need a pump. I hope to set the tanks on sunday. I will either get a boom truck or log truck to get them up on the bank . I decided it was to far up the bank to try and do it manually.
that's one great post hole digger you have there Dave, I would like a couple of holes dug here in McFalls, would you like to try your luck? LOL
Dave Y,
That is going to work very nice to feed into your truck tank. Sounds like quite a operation your getting. Take some pictures for us.
I worked a little in the sugarhouse getting materials for another 40-50 drops ready. I would like to have the sugarhouse ready for first run this year, which means cleaning out all the stuff that has accumulated since last year:o . Still more tubing to hang then to set the totes and tap. Thinking early to Mid Feb.
Chris
Sugarmaker
How much space did you leave between the angle iron for the ashes to fall through? I'am sure the steelhead are biting like crazy but I have a hobby that is very addictive and it wont let me go right now. My fishing buddy is disguested with me. He said before it was work now its maple syrup.
Andyp
andyp how wide is your evaporator i might have an idea for you
AndyP,
My grates may have a 1/4 inch between them. They have air holes for the forced draft. But with the forced air I get little ash. With the pallets I get lots of nails.
Chris
see i used sewer grates and they work good
Andy P I have a friend that is a well driller, I have found a piece of well casing cut into quarters with a torch and a few holes burned through work very well..
TapMe,
Im sure your rock is harder than my clay. I use a Mexican dragline.
sugarmaker, I am starting to see the end. I will take some pic when time allows. I have tried to use all my time working when I am in the bush. Thought I would see you guys at the NW Pa meeting on Sat,however my son called tonight and he and his wife are coming for the weekend. I will have to get all my work done in the evening.
3% - The Amish guy was a bit iffy about this year due to snow depth in the woods. His horses were struggling. Now that all the snow has gone bye-bye, he's getting more excited. It looks like we'll more than double the taps in his woods - maybe up to 500.
I'm hoping to put 1000' of mainline from his woods to a collection tank up at the house. He'll have to pump it up, but it'll save him from haveing to make multiple trips to the house with the team thru muddy meadows.
thats a good idea
Chris -
Do you have pics of the grates you made.
The 30x8 I'm selling has excellent grates (like brand new), but they are too short to fit my 3x10 arch, and the grates that came with the 3x10 are wooped.
I'm trying to picture how you're running forced air into the grates.
Dave Y,
I understand about the meeting. well it sounds like you need a break from maple to visit with your family!
Danno,
I dont have any pictures that I can think of. Here is a brief description:
I cut the angle iron ( 3 x 3 x 1/2 in) about 1 brick width short of the length of the fire box. I added a piece of angle ( I think it was 2 x 4 x 3/8?) to the front of each grate to allow a brick to set near the door of the arch. I punched a series of 1/2 inch dia holes in a staggered pattern in 2 rows along both sides of the grate to allow air to pass through from the ash pit area. The holes are about 2 inches apart.
So the grates look like this /\/\/\/\/\/\ when looking from the front of the arch. The points of the angle are pointing up. Ashes fall through the holes and also through the gap where the grates are about 1/4 inch apart.
These did warp after about 6 good firings.
Chris
Thanks for the ideas on the grates guys. Jemsklein I'am not sure of the exact size of the fire box. I think its 26x36. I have a couple of pieces of mine rails that I will cut to length and there is a scrap yard about 15 miles from me where I think I might be able to find some angle iron or square bar. I will set the rail in length wise and weld the angle across it. I'll let you how it works out.
Andyp
Chris - grates warped after 6 years of firing or after 6 firings?
Danno,
Sorry if I was not clear. and thinking back it may not have been six firings but I think the grates were warped after the first season which usually is a dozen or so boils. They may have warped some more the second season. I think I will go to the sugarhouse take some pictures and post them. The old 1000 word thing. I will be right back in say 15 min.
Chris
Grates ( one )
They may look a little crusty but they work:)
Chris
Thanks Chris - going out to take pics was beyond the call of duty. Those "grates" have held up well. I may give it a shot. Makes me wonder if the previous owner of my arch was tossing grenades in - my grates, allot heavier duty than angle iron, are just mangled.
Grate condition depends alot on the kind of wood you use... One year I used 3 year old hard wood and fired hard and my grates where junk (6" sag) and others I have used hemlock and or not let the ash build up and I have used the grates for 4 years and still no warpage...
A blower will help extend the life of the grates also because it keeps one side of them cool. Also, cleaning out the ashes every day or two if you don't have an airtight arch also helps because it keeps the underside of them cooler and plenty of airspace for cooling. The hotter the underside gets the more likely they are too warp.
I can't believe no one did any work on tubing or stacked firewood or lets say test fired a rig today! Well if everyone else was loafing I went to the bush tonite after work and finished my racks for my bulk tanks and tied up 500 ft of mainline.
another 150ft to go. I think i will scrub out the new tanks tomorrow night. One month to go. I believe that any syrup to be made this month has already been made. In this neck of the woods any way. Van is probably still boiling
Everyone has been busy on the "Trader"
Thats the bad thing about the Trader. Cant get any work done when your typing!