Checking what VT sugar makers are doing

Had a really good night last night. Lots of sap from the lower bush but very little from the upper bush where temps barely topped freezing. 150' of elevation change can sure make a difference!

Wild cold winds were roaring through the sugarhouse. Kept the cupola doors closed to try and stay warm. Despite having the feed line freeze up I was able to begin drawing syrup within 1/2 hour of startup and continue drawing without stop for the next 3 1/2 hours till I shut down at 11 PM. Didn't check sugar content, but must have been in the 2.5 to 3% range judging by the amount of syrup coming off.

Had our start up boil Friday made 26 gals Boiled again last night made 134 gals sap was 2.3% like "flats" Going to spend all day today leak checking when it starts running suppose to get up to 42 degree's

Spud yeah the orchard in town is sunrise orchard the Hodges own it I know them but not real well. My son is really interested in sugaring so when I wanted to expand He was on board I told him I was going to do it with or without him but of course I really wanted him to be a part of the operation A chance for him to be a full time driver with UPS came along a he took it makes really good money more than I could pay him but he still helps on nights (boiling) and weekends
Our kids have there own Idea's and desire's and they may not be what we were wanting them to have because they are there own beings
n8hutch I've got a private spot myself where I just relax and drink it in

Of my god not now, can't freakin believe it. High pressure pump motor just burnt up.
This was my Friday what a day, everything was going pretty well then bang all went to $#!+. Don't no yet what to do about the motor, going to have it checked out tomorrow. I bet this isn't cheap. Any suggestions, it's a 5hp baldor single phase. Worst timing ever.

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Originally Posted by PARKER MAPLE

Of my god not now, can't freakin believe it. High pressure pump motor just burnt up.
This was my Friday what a day, everything was going pretty well then bang all went to $#!+. Don't no yet what to do about the motor, going to have it checked out tomorrow. I bet this isn't cheap. Any suggestions, it's a 5hp baldor single phase. Worst timing ever.

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A good electric motor repair shop should be able to rewind it in a day or two

I was able to get 1700 gallons today. Looks like no more sap till weekend. Sugar today was 1.8%.

Spud

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PARKER MAPLE

Of my god not now, can't freakin believe it. High pressure pump motor just burnt up.
This was my Friday what a day, everything was going pretty well then bang all went to $#!+. Don't no yet what to do about the motor, going to have it checked out tomorrow. I bet this isn't cheap. Any suggestions, it's a 5hp baldor single phase. Worst timing ever.

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So sorry to hear that! Sure hope you'll get it back on line before too long. At least were heading into a cold spell, so you won't be missing much!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by PARKER MAPLE

Of my god not now, can't freakin believe it. High pressure pump motor just burnt up.
This was my Friday what a day, everything was going pretty well then bang all went to $#!+. Don't no yet what to do about the motor, going to have it checked out tomorrow. I bet this isn't cheap. Any suggestions, it's a 5hp baldor single phase. Worst timing ever.

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Bummer! Sorry to hear. I had a couple days like this last week. Failed vfd, releaser issue, leaking preheater....Looks like it is all sorted out now and hopefully the rest of the season will be smooth sailing. Good luck!

Since saturday I have pulled in almost 1200 gal. Got home yesterday at about 4:30 from my other job and vac. was at 20". Headed to the woods and found several squirrel chews and a drop off. The sap was running well but it was cold enough that downstream of the leaks there was ice forming in the lines. Made it tricky to find the leaks as they weren't hissing...more like popping occasionally. Anyway got that sorted out and pulled in close to 400 gal. at 2.6% from 5pm to 7am. Still running a bit but not much.

All my tanks are about full so going to ro this morning and boil this afternoon. Pans are sweetened so hoping to make about 30 gal. A hard freeze is coming for a couple days so that should allow me to finish tapping and be ready when the big runs come.:)

Sap trickled in all night and continues this morning. It's only about 100 gallons per hour but I will take it. It is raining at my house now so maybe more snow will melt.

Spud

Rod electric motor Rutland vt.

17 gal today more tomorrow