Checking what VT sugar makers are doing

OK fellas, I have been right out straight with work and trying to get ready here. Addition is done, preheater is built, filter press is cleaned and working. And I am in the ordering stages of building an RO. I have increased my tapping potential from the 900s to apprx 2500 this summer. all woods works is done, well Im sure I have some highwind storm damage somewhere I always do.

So when are we all tapping. Im thinking end of the Month, typically tap around valentines day. Whats everyone else doing??? POST IT HERE

Sitting here on the Trader watching it rain. Yuk.
Reversing front pan in order to draw off from the back rather than the front.

Plan to check woods in a week or so for any damage from the December storm. Completed fall maintenance in November along with the 4,000+ tap expansion. Appears we faired well on this side of the state with minimal ice damage. Will get ready to start tapping third week of Feb since it will probably take a week to get everything tapped.

My dad is going to start tapping for me this week. He should get close to 1000 done this coming week. Gives him something to do, and it really helps me out. I still have a lot of damage to fix in one of my sugarbushes.

Heading down to hubbarton to pull taps. Should be able to pull 1000 this week.

To Funny Thad, Randy you had better watch out hes sneaky lol...

Do w think its going to start early this year?? or normal but whats normal

Somebody must of got sap today in VT I no there is a few that have been out tapping.. not me to much to do first but getting closer everyday

I got half a gallon per tap on my fall tapped trees yesterday. I plan to ream those tap holes on March 1st. I plan to start tapping my woods by the end of the month. I did a little more clean up in the woods today because of some new blow downs.

Spud

I am sitting here looking at the forecast. 45 today and 4 days out of 7 in the next week above freezing. Good luck to all of you who had the courage to tap early. I am getting nervous about what our spring weather will look like. It may be a year to try to get everything in sooner than later. With all I have left to do, I hope to be tapped by the end of Feb. If I was ready now, I would highly consider firing up the drills.

Ben

My dad did a little over 200 today and it was running pretty good. I was hoping that it wouldn't run but oh well.

Tell Joe at that rate, He should finish by the 2nd week in March!! Are you early, or is this about the time you usually start?

Well when I get going with tapping a lot will get done per day. I am 2 days earlier than last year but also have 1000 more taps than last year. My wife will start running my potato chip route soon so then I will be able to jam . Lappiere just came down this past week and added a 3rd post to my r.o. so that will help prevent a sunami like I had last year.

did super reg get your pumps yet?

they come in on Thursday. I will let u know.

Wow that's allot of taps. Good luck with your season

going to start on the 20th or so. to warm this week don't really want dirty sap in the lines yet. we can do 1000 a day, 2 guys in between milkings. drink red bull!!!!

Its going to take me some time to set up my new helium injection unit for my vacuum on one of my small woods to see how it works. if it means 40 gallons of sap per tap then next year I will have it on all 3 of my bushes.

what is a helium injection unit for my vacuum?

40 gallons per tap? it's not April 1st yet.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Randy Brutkoski

Its going to take me some time to set up my new helium injection unit for my vacuum on one of my small woods to see how it works. if it means 40 gallons of sap per tap then next year I will have it on all 3 of my bushes.

---

That's about the date when I should hopefully hit 40 gallons or better..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sjdoyon

40 gallons per tap? it's not April 1st yet.

---

there's a sugar maker by name of Kirby, and he got 33 gallons per tap last year, so with the S.E. HE unit could be very possible if it works out correctly.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rchase

what is a helium injection unit for my vacuum?

---

I second this??? Never heard of it.

Oh man here we go again haha

Ask Dr. Tim, I think he knows a fair amount about it. It will probably be his next big test.

No comment.

Just what I thought , top secret.

No helium injection unit here, but I have been taking advantage of the Jan. thaw to finish up some roofing and exterior details on the sugarhouse. Stacks are installed, now on to bricking the rig. My goal is to be ready to tap by Feb. 15 and if I can keep the momentum going it shouldn't be a problem.

Attachment 8384

I'm with you general, no Helium here, yet, maybe when I know what it does.

I have been enjoying this weather too. It has made my life a lot bit better. I drove mainlines into the woods today using my 4 wheeler. No tracks, no groomed trail no chains. I can't recall a year when I was able to drive my wheeler up on my hill in mid Jan. But My back is so greatfull. 8 trips today, 1000' 1 1/4", 1000' 1" and 5000' 3/4. It's easy half a mile each way and the alternative was a snowmobile that doesn't start or a sled. So again, my back is happy. 8 trips in two hours this morning. Now to get it in the air. Time is ticking away. My to do still includes finishing my stack install, insulating and bricking the arch, setting up blowers for steam away and arch, setting up Vac pump. Fix a few spots with down trees and install new mains, run laterals and plumb into existing wet/dry. And much much more.
No problem. We'll see. Hope to be tapped by Last week of Feb.

Ben

I'm looking at a Tapping date also of Feb. 15 (Weather permitting) using this weather to get 6 more main lines in with tubing and drops etc.

Hey Randy I look forward to your updates through the season since were quite close to each other
Hope everyone has a good season!

Hoping to be ready to tap our high vacuum bush by first weekend in febuary. Then our second gravity only bush the tradition weekend before town meeting. Hoping for a great year with our new arch and homemade pans. Water leak testing this weekend and hoping to water boil next weekend after the arch is rebricked.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Randy Brutkoski

Its going to take me some time to set up my new helium injection unit for my vacuum on one of my small woods to see how it works. if it means 40 gallons of sap per tap then next year I will have it on all 3 of my bushes.

---

I'm kinda new to setting up a vacuum system, but someone told me that unobtainium is better than helium for a vacuum injecton setup. So I am going to look into getting some of that.

January thaw is over. Get ready for winter #6.

You guys wont be laughing when I get a gallon per tap.

My dad has made 1000 holes for me so far. Setting up my 2 new bush pumps later this week. Have to tighten up 1 more bush and then we are ready to rock and roll.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Randy Brutkoski

My dad has made 1000 holes for me so far. Setting up my 2 new bush pumps later this week. Have to tighten up 1 more bush and then we are ready to rock and roll.

---

huh that's funny Thad said something about pulling around a 1000 taps he left in last year:lol:

No not my taps... pulling them in hubarton..... lol

Randy is defiantly into the early tapping. Can't make up lost sap right!

Attended the Gasparilla Parade of the Pirates in Tampa 1/5/2011...based on the weather forcast back home haven't missed much of an opportunity to tap....will think about starting the 2nd week in Feb.

I'm thinking about tapping on feb8th looking at the long range forecast for my area. Hopefully they are some what close.