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Started pulling taps today, Sap went real buddy yesterday. Agree with others, if was ready should have tapped right after Christmas here.
Sap didn't run near as well this year compared to past 2...

Got them spiced up where they are the worst. Have to get back and check if need to do it again after next rain. Must be working, last year could tell with vacuum dropping they were busy. Find holes...

Buckeye I know how you felt. Fired pump up afternoon of 9th. had brought up 600 gallon sap by evening of 11th. got little over 30 gallon syrup so far, sugar at 1.6%. looks like this Sunday thru...

Had runs Friday and Saturday. nothing today.
Sap running low again this year. 1.5 best so far. Got 5 gallon made so fair, real light stuff.
See "cold " temps this week but thinking be a long shot...

I have been thinking about adding a temp controller to my gas engine running my vacuum pump. Would have to have it on a 12 volt battery and wondering if any idea how long could run the controller...

Thanks, will get a few bottles and give them something to think about. :lol:
Looks like might get sap started some Thursday, then good for a few days of sap. Woods still froze up today after last...

Will have to try that. They seem to love to chew an inch or 2 each side of tee and 4-6" up on drop.
Can you spray it or need to brush it on?

Dana I'm getting same feeling about temps. if believe forecast for 7-10 day not seeing another real freeze up for a while. Seems the mid February freezes getting few and far between.
Oh well have to...

Forgot to mention, I took early retirement end of March last year. Now can concentrate on important stuff, syrup and getting farm house and buildings fixed up.

Dana, got everything tapped Sunday. Ditch washed out bad in part of the woods so can't get to some of the trees this year. Got 225 in though.
Checked vacuum pump, holding around 22-23".
Glad...

Buckeye, sounds like got a head start tapping on me. Hopefully sap % stays at 2 or bumps up a little this year.
Hoping get tanks and pump out middle of this week, let mud dry a little.
I'm a...

I am using an XLE-4040 membrane and a series 3 procon pump. Going to have 2 flowmeters, one for concentrate and one for permeate. The concentrate flowmeter will have a needle valve to regulate amount...

When I welded my pans up, 18 ga., I used TIG with a pulse control on it. Bucket Head is right, fusing is the best way to go, still move around while welding it. With good tight fit it welds good and...

I am also building a RO unit. I am using one 4"x40" membrane for now as going for 80-100 gph. From checking out membrane specs, if you want a high gph rate put 2 or more in parallel. If you want to...

Try Sugar Bush Supplies up in Mason MI. They carry this areas jugs with the states.
Mel

Gary,
I am in the process of building my own RO unit and will be using an XLE-4040 membrane. I have read the specs for ph when cleaning, so if I run around 10-11 ph for short wash (1/2-3/4 hour) I...

I think Jim has it right. I made a pre-heater last year from 3/4" copper and have the bottom of the head tank 30" above the float box. Even with the head tank 1/3 full it has plenty of pressure at...

Temps here have been below freezing since Monday night till this afternoon. Got 50 gallon of sap Sunday and 150 gallon Monday, sugar was down to 1.8% last week but back up to 2-2.2% Monday. Test sak...

Buckeye, sure didn't hit a HIGH of 40 today here. Was still getting sleet and snow flakes late this afternoon. Got 60 gallon today, warming up now and sak on tree in the yard really dripping good at...

Beweller, looking at TWC 10 day it is saying real warm last half of this week but back to good temps next Sunday till Tuesday.
Still the middle of Feb. so I don't think season over. Just hope the...

Buckeye, got finished tapping around 4 this afternoon. Now just hope it gets below 32 tonight, 34 right now. Sap was trying pretty good to run while tapping. Might get to fire up tomorrow evening....

Buckeye, are you above or below Chillicothe? I am in NE Pickaway Co.
Looks like a lot of different weather forecasts going around, think see what get this coming week and be glad for what get.
Mel

What is the weatherman saying for temps in southern Ohio for mid week till the 20th? I'm in central Ohio and one says temps be good through next wed. maybe Thursday in my area. Next one saying lows...

Clan, hope not to late to add my total.
Central Ohio 182 taps
MFarmall

Brandon, check with 3% Solution, I don't remember the name of the thermometer but he got mine at a hardware store in Newport. If want one I'm sure he would pick one up and get it to you. They go in...