Tell Us what is new (upgrades) for the 2018 season

[HannahL]

I have a very small operation, boiling on a 18X30 flat pan, but try to make it as efficient as possible. This year I will be adding a second 3/16 line taking my tap count from 25 to hopefully 40 taps this season. Also, purchasing the RB-10-M RO Bucket, supposed to process 10-15 gallons an hour. Reworking the fire box on my stove, want to add a small blower under the stove and need to rework the grating and fire brick. Third and last objective is to obtain larger sap storage capacity. With the added taps and the RO I will need to add larger containers and more of them.

Season is fast approaching, can't wait!

[ronintank]

Building a home made 100 gph ro unit. will be adding a couple more runs of 3/16 lines about 30 to 40 more taps this year.

[Wanabe1972]

I have replaced my 150 gph RO pump with a 300gph and am adding hoods and preheater to the rig. I have a new 500 gallon verticle poly tank for storage of sap to be RO ed. Im adding a laser eye to my bottler with auto fill so no more lost syrup from overflows.
Jeff

[gbwaterski]

how are you building it? i have built one and may be able to give some pointers. Mine utilizes a 4x40 membrane and a procon pump. This will be my 3rd year on it.

[Buckfever]

HannahL, can you provide more info on that RO? I'm looking for one about that size.

[HannahL]

HannahL, can you provide more info on that RO? I'm looking for one about that size.

http://www.therobucket.com/

Ordering mine with the auto shut off so I can leave it run over night or while I am at work. Will play with the needle valve to run slower then the 1/1 ratio so that I only have to run it through once. Would really like to remove around 65%-75% of water. I have the time so might as well utilize it.

[Thumb Bum]

20180126_164102.jpg

New block evaporator

[ronintank]

how are you building it? i have built one and may be able to give some pointers. Mine utilizes a 4x40 membrane and a procon pump. This will be my 3rd year on it.

Pŕocon 240 with feed pump and mes 4.4020180121_143330.jpg20180121_143330.jpg20180121_143300.jpg

[maple flats]

No real upgrades this year, except I've added a storage shed which allows me to move lots of things from the sugarhouse to the new shed, where there's enough room to organize it a lot better. The 14x28 shed has benches and shelves all down both sides and across the back wall. The front opens so I drive my tractor in and park it.
Another thing I'm doing in the sugarhouse is making the hookup for the air diaphragm pump simple to disconnect for rinsing, everything is getting quick disconnects (tri-clover type). I also have most of my backup inventory for containers, barrels and such in the new shed as well as all of my tubing and fittings rather than filling part of the crowded sugarhouse. I'm still thrilled about the Smoky Lake Water Jacketed canner I added just before last season, what a huge improvement over the old propane fired canner.
I had to streamline things this year because I'll be alone tapping and fixing lines for the next 6 weeks. My Brother in law, who helps me just had surgery yesterday and is on strict rules not to lift anything over 10# for 6 weeks. I think he will however be making up some drops, at his kitchen table, starting in a week or 10 days if all goes well.

[astaeven]

I have been thinking of picking up the 225Gal or 275Gal (I forget) storage totes in metal cages in White Cloud, MI for $60. stopped in and spoke with them and they stated they either had molasses, honey, or veg oil in them previously and they had been power washed. Any thoughts? Otherwise I have 35gal on UTV for collecting and 65 and 2 55 gallon plastic drums. I am hoping to do 100 taps this year but may only be able to cook on weekends unless the flow happens during my scheduled time off.