Didn't collect yesterday - getting tired I guess, but figured it wasn't worth the effort for 1 or 2 gal. The last batch (108 gal.) is almost syrup - think I'll just let it set and see what happens Sunday?
Didn't collect yesterday - getting tired I guess, but figured it wasn't worth the effort for 1 or 2 gal. The last batch (108 gal.) is almost syrup - think I'll just let it set and see what happens Sunday?
Oil tank evaporator w/fire brick and grate, 8 ft. stack
2 x 4 ss pan w/warmer
2011 90 taps
2012 65 taps
2013 76 taps w/milk jugs
2014 41 taps w/milk jugs
2017 67 taps w/various jugs
2018 75 taps wjugs
2023 39 taps wjugs
Polaris Ranger w/tracks
Haven't picked up for a couple days now. We dodged most of the snow, only 2". Still hoping for one more good run tomorrow before shutting it down. My wife picked up a new toy-a digital thermometer. Just plug it into the laptop and I don't even have to check for density until 219. I then put it my coffee pot bottler and can see what my temps are while bottling. Hate to say it but I've gotta been bottling below 180 on some bottles at the end of the pot in the past. Just trying to keep getting better at this all the time.
2006 - 12 taps on open fire
2011 - 50 taps new 2 x 4 flat pan + warmer
2012 - 65 taps new 16 x 16 sugar shack
2013- 75 taps and no more, well maybe 85 now
2016-97 taps
1 Lab and my wife's Springer
Collected 12 gal. Fri. (2 days worth) because didn't want it to freeze in jugs. Got 12 more last nite - thought it would've been better. Won't be able to today. Tomorrow will be the last goround then pulling taps.
Oil tank evaporator w/fire brick and grate, 8 ft. stack
2 x 4 ss pan w/warmer
2011 90 taps
2012 65 taps
2013 76 taps w/milk jugs
2014 41 taps w/milk jugs
2017 67 taps w/various jugs
2018 75 taps wjugs
2023 39 taps wjugs
Polaris Ranger w/tracks
Finally got 5 gallons of syrup of the evaporator last night, happy, happy, happy. Yesterday I only got 40 gallons of sap off 170 taps again. 45 degrees out and perfect sap weather but my trees don't want to give it up. Still have over 3ft of snow but my trees are starting to bud.
Have you considered tubing and a small vacuum pump?
3x12 drop flue.
1000 taps on 24 inches of vacuum, and 200 buckets.
Bought a used springtech 500 GPH RO
Shooting for 29" of vacuum, less than 5 taps per line, and 2 quarts per tap.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lown-...4713586?ref=hl
Got 75 gallons off 75 taps today. I don't consider myself a tree hugger but I need another 40 gallons to get 1000 for the year. Not supposed to get below freezing for a few days and I want to wrap it up tomorrow. Might have to put a turniquet on a few trees and squeeze the last drops out of those sweet suckers.
2006 - 12 taps on open fire
2011 - 50 taps new 2 x 4 flat pan + warmer
2012 - 65 taps new 16 x 16 sugar shack
2013- 75 taps and no more, well maybe 85 now
2016-97 taps
1 Lab and my wife's Springer
Fishman,
Just out of curiosity how much snow do you you have over there? I just got done gathering again today and got around 25 gallons off 170 taps. Actually i would say 25 gallons off 40 trees. Just for fun yesterday I went around and shoveled a circle around some of the trees, they were the only ones that ran any amount. I have 2 next to the driveway that a snowblowed around all winter, they will usually give around a gallon a day. We still have over 3 ft around most of my trees, supposed to get another shot tonight. Sap is still 3 percent. I didn't tap till easter weekend so the shouldn't be dry.
Last edited by regor0; 04-23-2013 at 12:38 AM. Reason: another thought
In the woods there is about 12-16" in Newberry. Just 4 miles north of town it's probably double that. It took a beating yesterday with all of the rain. Some of the fields are starting to show some bare spots so the deer are on just about every patch that shows. I'm going to start my last boil tonight after work and will probably finish tomorrow.
2006 - 12 taps on open fire
2011 - 50 taps new 2 x 4 flat pan + warmer
2012 - 65 taps new 16 x 16 sugar shack
2013- 75 taps and no more, well maybe 85 now
2016-97 taps
1 Lab and my wife's Springer
Finished 5th boil and started next - collected 53 gal today. Sap is nice and clear again. Hoping for at least 27 more?
Oil tank evaporator w/fire brick and grate, 8 ft. stack
2 x 4 ss pan w/warmer
2011 90 taps
2012 65 taps
2013 76 taps w/milk jugs
2014 41 taps w/milk jugs
2017 67 taps w/various jugs
2018 75 taps wjugs
2023 39 taps wjugs
Polaris Ranger w/tracks
GM, I hear you on getting tired. We're done here, and it's taking everything I've got to get the equipment cleaned up.
What a great season. I learned a lot, (especially about fighting the slime...), and I'm thrilled with how the syrup turned out.
Best of luck as you close it up for the year...
--J.R.
J.R. Cunningham
Manistique, MI
2011 22 Taps
2012 100 Taps
2013 300 Taps
2014 500 Taps (300 Traditional, 200 Gravity)
2015 600 Taps (200 Traditional, 400 Gravity)
An Upper Peninsula family being managed by 70 acres of sugarbush.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote