Northwoods Maple Farm

[Maple Man 85]

Your project is really looking good. Nice to see you are finishing the inside walls like you are doing. Makes for easy cleaning if needed and makes the health inspector really happy. It isn't cheap to do it the way you are doing, but you won't regret it.
Gary

Thanks Gary, We have been in touch with the inspector to make sure everything is up to their expectations (which at times has been a bit frustrating and expensive). Tomorrow We'll be taking a break from building and laying out roughly 12,000 feet of main line while the woods is somewhat dry.

[S.S.S]

What are you running for a evaporator?

[Maple Man 85]

What are you running for a evaporator?

A used Leader Vortex

[Maple Man 85]

It's been a few days sine I posted building update pics but we were able to get the rooms sheeted off and the kitchen done with the exception of plumbing and electrical. Also picked up a tank for permeate and pulled 12,000 feet of 3/4" IMG_1693.jpgIMG_1710.jpgIMG_1712.jpgIMG_1714.jpgIMG_1717.jpg

[Maple Man 85]

We poured a slab and were able to set the tanks in place as well as get a start on the electric and install the garage door. Things are coming along nicely but the weather is changing quickly. By mid September we should have the sugarhouse complete and begin working on tubing!IMG_1763.jpgIMG_1777.jpgIMG_1804.jpgIMG_1807.jpg

[maple flats]

You're doing everything first class. When I raised my homemade trusses I made a long lift crane of sorts on the 3 point hitch of my 20 HP tractor. It worked but was far from ideal. My little 4 ton excavator (I didn't have that when I built the sugarhouse) set all of my tanks. If it didn't have a front blade I'd have never handled the 1000 gal milk tanks, those are my largest.
You're doing a great job, you should be proud of the project.

[Maple Man 85]

Thanks Dave, it's been an adventure that's for sure. In one summer I took a crash course in heavy equipment operation, general construction, electrical, plumbing, flatwork, FDA compliance, Organic certification, sales and logistics! Would have never been able to do it if I hadn't stayed at a Holiday Inn Express

We'll finish up the ceiling this weekend just in time for the roof jacks to show up and the evaporator I'll be picking up in two weeks. My biggest obstacle right now is cutting the exterior and interior tin to go around the face of the tanks and ensuring its sealed to keep weather and critters out.

[Maple Man 85]

We pushed hard this weekend to get the ceiling installed, insulated and tanks painted. All that's left is closing off the wall around the tanks and lighting. IMG_1817.jpgIMG_1818.jpgIMG_1820.jpgIMG_1821.jpgIMG_1822.jpg

[n8hutch]

Looks awesome Maple Man, just an idea on the trimming around your round bulk tanks and your siding. You could get a local sheet metal guy to make you a trim piece if you gave them the diameter and then you would only have to be close with the actual ribbed siding .also I've never seen a critter chew through spray foam. I'm building a sugar house this summer myself but mine is much more rustic. One of these days I'll post some pics.

[Maple Man 85]

I'm building a sugar house this summer myself but mine is much more rustic. One of these days I'll post some pics.

Thanks Nate! Looking forward to seeing your pics as well! What I post on trader is just a small number of the pictures taken over the summer. The majority of them are on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/northwoodsmaplefarm/ if anyone else is interested on how we designed our sugar house.