Search:

I noticed a slight increase in sap flow about the time of the eclipse in our 2 collection tanks.

Mike

This season's last boil was today. Ended with 277 gallons on 825 taps under vacuum. Our latest season end April 15, so were finishing in a reasonable time frame. Our sugar content is normally low,...

It's coming in pretty slow today for us. I think by the middle of next week we'll likely be done if no sooner.

Mike

it was not a great flow day for us either. Spent time at Town Meeting and had some minor issues with vacuum to sort out. Pulling 27.3" now. Finally, all tapped in and ready to collect and prep the...

Still working on getting the taps in. Work was very busy last week, and I was not able to get free to work in the woods until well after dark. CDL was down today to install the pump control for the...

After some upgrades when we added a pre-heater, we had an extra 100-gallon SS tank, and the water was always hot during boiling. I think you could find any decent container to make do but try to...

I wanted to tap "early" this year as well. We have never made syrup after April 15 and most times around April 10. We often tap around February 20-25 when temps are more consistent above freezing...

We were lucky to re-route a mainline and extend it for a total of 1000'. This will pick up an additional 75 or so taps with a chance to branch off for a few more in the future. The mainline running...

We have three moisture traps. Two (one each) CDL black units in our shacks near the mechanical releasers and a 3" one at the vacuum pump. The pump is located 65' above the releaser locations and...

We vent ours to the outside of the building. Definitely need to run a little more metal pipe than we did with the liquid ring pump due to heat. I haven't run it enough to be able to compare it to...

Last week I put an anchor into a tree and the chips were definitely wet, not running out of the hole but wet. We have been working to replace about 1500' of mainline this year and are almost done. ...

We have a smaller sugarbush with about 750 taps now. We are looking to expand (as time allows) to 1,000-1,200 taps. We cover a larger area to reach a few trees here and there.

We started with...

In 2018 we when from a shanty town of a sugarhouse (many smaller buildings connected) to a 28 x 60 sugarhouse. Right now we are adding a 15 1/2' addition to the garage area. We have a 28x20...

Before we built our new sugarhouse I stopped at a few. I noticed a couple had cracks in the floor. I learned this is where they ran conduit in the concrete. I ran the entrance/exit points 90...

I would look for a double guzzler. We had a single on 400. It worked good, but with planned expansion and two areas of short ladders a true vacuum pump was in the future.

I believe true...

I waited a few days. I would have waited longer, but the season was just starting or if I had been able to do the work when it was warmer it would not take that long.

Mike

We used to use saddles. We used the maxflow with larger hole. The mainline tool is just the ticket an you can have both drill sizes available. The first big 1" mainline I put in was a learning...

I'll second Maple Flats. We have had a couple trail cameras up and the lithiums last longer.

Mike

There are a couple challenges. When you have a minor leak in 5/16" you can have the freeze start sooner and last longer as it would fill the pipe and freeze solid.

We also have a mainline...

Nice setup and plenty of room to work or....expand.

Mike

We were told the direction of the membrane itself was not as critical as it needs to be orientated the same every time it is installed. The cups are what is critical. I don't recall off the top of...

This is definitely the year to be ready in early February. For the past three years we have tapped in by February 25th give or take a couple days. This year has been full of hurdles. Starting last...

Nice choice of action on your part.

Keep looking ahead. Sorry for the sudden change in events for you. Go visit other sugarhouses to help pass the time.

Mike

yes put up a couple trail cameras. Spypoint had a good selection and I am using one now to watch a house I am working on. I also have a Moultre video. Both of these are cellular and worth their...