+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 12

Thread: Tapping

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Browning,IL
    Posts
    3

    Default Tapping

    Tapping 40 trees today in central Illionis.
    Is anyone in Illinois flowing yet ?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Clinton, Illinois
    Posts
    69

    Default

    Yes, I've collected about 90 gals on about 60 taps so far. Next few days won't be too good but middle of next week, watch out!
    2x6
    60 taps with 15 on 3/16 gravity

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Walnut,Il
    Posts
    101

    Default

    Collected 50gal.this morning, trees were running well ,even trees in the shade were runniing. It is so windy I am going to wait until tomorrow to boil. By then I should have another 30 gal. or so. I put my sap pails in a creek and covered them with ice.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    128

    Default

    I am waiting on a few more parts for a vac system. I am officially glad I do not have buckets out today. I would be chasing them across the county

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Vermont, Illinois
    Posts
    80

    Default

    I finished tapping everything last Sunday/Monday. Boiled almost 700 gals of sap off the last two days. Getting ready to check if it ran overnight. With this weather, it was slowing down. We need it to freeze up again.

    This is the first year since I have owned the 2X6 evaporator that I have been able to make that golden colored, fancy grade, syrup. I don't know what changed. Nothing new from last year to this year. But it sure was nice to see that golden color again.

    Hows everyone's sap content? I'm running 2.2% sugar for my woodland trees.

    Welcome Tony. see your new. Not too far from me.
    Flatlander Sugar
    300+ taps on gravity
    Wood Fired 2X6 with piggy back
    Great family & friends to help
    One expensive hobby!

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2016
    Location
    Browning,IL
    Posts
    3

    Default

    Thanks, We tapped 35 trees Friday and had 50 gallons Saturday .

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Clinton, Illinois
    Posts
    69

    Default

    I am seeing 1.4 - 1.5% sugar. Ugh.... hope it's just early season issues. A lot of my trees don't have good crowns, but I tap everything that's big enough.
    2x6
    60 taps with 15 on 3/16 gravity

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Northern Illinois
    Posts
    93

    Default

    Finally got most of my taps in yesterday. Collected today after church. Had a few dry bags but most averaged about 1/3 full. Tested the sap from the collection tank and it was running 2.1%. Fired up the evaporator and got the first boil of the season under my belt. Good luck to everybody this year!
    New To Maple in 09'
    16' x 24' Sugarhouse
    Smoky Lakes Corsair Arch
    2' x4' Smoky Lakes Hybrid Drop Flue Pan
    200 Taps On Bags
    IH 806 Diesel & Allis WD
    2 Horses, Black cattle & Yes Chickens
    An Aussie Named Mable Sugar
    Wife, Kids And A Couple Of Friends To Help!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Rockford, IL
    Posts
    175

    Default

    Boiled 50 gallons Yesterday. Heading out to see what's in the buckets for today.
    Don't have a sugar reading, new sap tester seems to be miscalibrated.
    Last edited by TreeTapper2; 02-22-2016 at 08:21 PM.
    2020
    8th year making sugar
    120 taps second year on vac

    2x4 Divided pan.
    Homemade RO 4x42XLE
    Shurflo 4048 pump

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Vermont, Illinois
    Posts
    80

    Default

    Its been a slow week for sure but the sun came out this afternoon and got things flowing again. Looks like tomorrow will be a good day for a change. Mounder, glad to see you are back. Hope all is going well for you up there. Tree Tapper, what/where did you get the sap float from? You getting high readings or low?
    Ordered one of those Shufflo pumps today to try my hand at vacuum. I have three individual lines that all come into together but have their own tanks. I'll have to build a small manifold and link all the tanks together to catch all the extra sap, hopefully. Hope it works as well as everyone else has said it will. I know its a little late in the season, but I'm never ready for season anyway. Kevin, what did you do for vacuum?
    Flatlander Sugar
    300+ taps on gravity
    Wood Fired 2X6 with piggy back
    Great family & friends to help
    One expensive hobby!

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts