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Thread: 2017 season

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Vermont, Illinois
    Posts
    80

    Default 2017 season

    hey all. hope you had a good year. trying to get the lines and equipment is shape for the coming season. Put a real roof on the sugar shack this fall so no more leaks. My kid wanted to paint the outside so they got started then stopped. Next summer!! Supposed to get a nice mural on the walls so we shall see!

    Thinking about maybe tapping this weekend. It is beginning to look like winter has done its thing more or less. Guess we could have tapped at Christmas and could have made syrup all January.

    What is everyone else thinking?
    Flatlander Sugar
    300+ taps on gravity
    Wood Fired 2X6 with piggy back
    Great family & friends to help
    One expensive hobby!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Rockford, IL
    Posts
    175

    Default

    Hi Flatlander, I have been thinking the same thing about tapping. Been checking out the long term weather and it seems things could get rolling soon. It will be interesting this year with my work schedule. Currently working 10 hr days 6 days a week. The plan is to burn 4 hours a night and hope I don't get buried. Will see how well that works. A big flow with only two barrels for storage could get real interesting.
    2020
    8th year making sugar
    120 taps second year on vac

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

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

    Default tapping illinois

    I'm in Costa Rica now but will be home soon. Looking at weather, maybe end of next week for me to tap. Planning around 70 taps. I helped a friend run some 3/16 tubing 2 weeks ago, will be a new experience for him.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Location
    Northern Illinois
    Posts
    93

    Default

    Spent the last few days getting everything ready. Headed out this afternoon and put over 150 taps in. Every hole was running, not a dry hole to be found, Sugars, Silvers, Norway all were running. Planning on collecting mid day tomorrow and then We'll fire up the evaporater and see how the new Smokey Lake hybrid drop flue pan does. Hopefully it speeds up the boiling time. Excited to test it out.

    Hope everyone has a great rest of the season!
    Last edited by MapleMounder; 02-12-2017 at 06:26 AM.
    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!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Rockford, IL
    Posts
    175

    Default

    Didn't expect to get anything today. Wasn't sure temps were low enough last night but must have been. Collected 40 gals. All next week looks really good. Then four days up in the 50 's which isn't desirable since I tap mostly silvers.
    Where are you located Maplemounder? Let us know how the new pan does.
    Dogpatch did you get your taps in?
    Hope it's a good weekend for all.
    2020
    8th year making sugar
    120 taps second year on vac

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

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Vermont, Illinois
    Posts
    80

    Default

    I finished tapping yesterday morning. Collected over 200 gals by evening. Getting ready to fire up the cooker now. Looking forward to this week's run.
    Taper. Hope you do well up there. Mounder. COngrats on the new pan. Hope you enjoy it!
    Flatlander Sugar
    300+ taps on gravity
    Wood Fired 2X6 with piggy back
    Great family & friends to help
    One expensive hobby!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Walnut,Il
    Posts
    101

    Default

    Put in 60 taps today, like Mounder said all holes were running. Still have a few things to do before. How could I not be ready��?

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

    Default

    Collected a little over 100 gallons mid afternoon. Fired up the new pan, so far so good!

    Treetaper were just north of Mt. Morris
    Attached Images Attached Images
    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

    Looks good MapleMounder. We are up the road from you. Hwy 2 and Meridian rd area. SW of Rockford.
    Collected another 55 gals today, 175 gals for the season. Since I can only cook for 4 hours I'm starting to back log some sap.
    2020
    8th year making sugar
    120 taps second year on vac

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

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Rockford, IL
    Posts
    175

    Default

    First batch of five gallons done tonight!
    Way tired, 5am comes quick but worth it.
    2020
    8th year making sugar
    120 taps second year on vac

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

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