Thinking about getting a auto draw, a marcland max or a smoky lake crescendo... The marcland is 200$ more. Any suggestions?
Auto draw
Thinking about getting a auto draw, a marcland max or a smoky lake crescendo... The marcland is 200$ more. Any suggestions?
After a few years of indecision, I finally bought a Belimo MODULATING auto draw off from D&G for about $1,100. What a great valve!!! After 2 or 3 draws (as long as the barometric pressure doesn't change) and the draw temperature and density is set, every draw afterwards comes out perfect density, some nights for 2 or 3 hours straight. Because the valve is modulating, it opens slowly and closes slowly. It is a very simple valve to operate. You do not have to set any differentials. The only set point is the actual finish temperature. I do check every 5-6 gallon batches of syrup for density.
I had considered building my own draw off from parts, but I am more than happy that I bought the Belimo valve. The only problem I have had was with my brother-in-law, my chief boiler. He was upset because he had been replaced by a machine.
Joe
2004- 470 taps on gravity and buckets
2006- 590 taps on gravity and buckets 300 gph RO
2009- 845 taps on vacuum no buckets, 600 gph RO
2010- 925 taps on vacuum new 2 stage vacuum pump
2014- 3045 taps on vacuum, new 1200 gph RO
2015- 3104 taps on vacuum
2017- 3213 taps on vacuum
3' x 10' oil fired evaporator with steamaway
Mine is the Lapierre version it is very similar to what JoeJ has and I love it. Once it is set the first night it is pretty close for the season only changing based on the pressure from one day to the next. I check my syrup with a Murphy cup way more than I have to just because I need something to do so I look like I am still running the evaporator in reality the auto draw is.
A lot of guys have built them with great success for me I'd rather spend the time in the woods.
Jared
I think you will really like what ever version you get! Yes it really is like having a second person in the sugarhouse helping!
I have had a Marcland unit for several years and like it a lot!
Regards,
Chris
Casbohm Maple and Honey
625 roadside taps + Neighbors bring some sap too!
3x10 King, WRU, AOF and AUF
12" SIRO Filter Press.
2015 Ford F250 PSD sap hauler
One Golden named Maggie, Norwegian Forest Cat named Lucy
Too many Cub Cadets
Ford Jubilee and several Allis WD's, and IH tractors
1932 Ford AAB ton and a half, dump truck
www.mapleandhoney.com
I have a Smoky Lake. If you have a non-modulating valve (wish I had one) consider putting a valve upstream to help control the flow better. and a bypass valve
Eric Johnson
Tucker Mountain Maple Co-op
1400 taps in 2013
2.5 x 8 CDL pellet arch and Smokey Lake pans
Lapierre 600 RO
Member of Andover/Salisbury Maplehaulics anonymous
www.tuckermtn.com
pALS
I could never figure out the auto draw age. I prefer a continuous flow pencil sized stream. If I close the valve it means I wasn't paying attention and I am wasting time.
30x8 Leader revolution, wood fired blower, steamaway/hood. 903 taps all but 54 on pipeline and 3 vacuum systems. Hauling sap this year with a 99 F350 7.3 diesel dump and of course back up is the Honda 450 and trailer.
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