Basically you want it tight enough to keep anything out but not sealed so much that it creates a vacuum as the sap level goes down causing flow issues to the evaporator.
Basically you want it tight enough to keep anything out but not sealed so much that it creates a vacuum as the sap level goes down causing flow issues to the evaporator.
Sugaring for 45+ years
New Sugarhouse 14'x32'
New to Me Algier 2'x8' wood fired evaporator
2022 added a used RB25 RO Bucket
250 mostly Sugar Maples, 15% Soft Maples. Currently,(110on 3/16" and 125 on Shurflo 4008 vacuum, 15 gravity), (16,000 before being disabled)
1947 Farmall H and Wagon with gathering tank
2012 Kubota with forks to move wood around
I guess we don't have issues with things getting in ,we keep our place clean though. I like a space between the lid to keep the warm air rising out.
Fred Ahrens
330-206-1606
Richards Ohio Maple Equipment
Ohio CDL sales rep
LaPierre Dealer
H&M maple fabricator Dealer
Service Tech/repair for all brands and electronics
don't take life too serious, nobody gets out alive anyways!
I too have stainless lids for float boxes and syrup pan that I had Smoky Lake make up for me last year. They're nice - float boxes are covered all the time, syrup pan when I shut down. You may give Smoky Lake a call to see if they can make something up for you. As I recall; the price was reasonable and they're light enough that shipping was minimal.
As far as venting goes...I can see how a flat lid could restrict flow out of the tank, but a side entry for hose should allow enough air in to negate that.
Poke a hole in a bucket, fill it with water, let it drain and then see what happens when you set a piece of cardboard on top - will it slow down?
If you're running concentrate that's heated and may sit for awhile...that becomes a different story.
John Allin
14x18 Hemlock Timber Frame Sugar House 2009
Leader 2x6 w/Patriot Raised Flue Pan 2009
Leader Steam Hood 2014 - Clear Filter Press 2015
Leader Revolution Pan and SS Pre-Heater 2016
CDL Hobby RO & Air Tech L25 Hi Vac Pump 2019
06' Gator HPX to collect wood & sap
14' Ski-Doo Tundra for winter work in the woods
Great Family 3 grown kids+spouses and 7 grand kids who like the woods
7th Gen Born in Canada - Raised in Chardon Ohio - Maple Capital of the World..<grin>.
I had Smoky Lake make covers for my pans, but I didn't even think about my float boxes. I will check with him for the tank as well.
2016 - 2 x 4 Randy Worthen built arch and pans 11 taps; 2.625 gallons of syrup!
2017 - 29 taps; 11.625 gallons of syrup!
2018 - 30 taps; 98 pints bottled! New sugar house being built, new equipment coming!
2019 - 125 taps; 50 gallons made! New 2x6 Smoky Lake Corsair arch, drop flue pan, auto draw. Smoky Lake filter press and Steam Bottler
2020 - 173 taps; only 35 gallons made.
2021 - 242 taps; New record! 50.5 gallons made!
2022 - 321 taps; New record! 80 gallons made!
I have covers for my finish pans and all bulk tanks not my floats BUT I did have Jim make me up one for my CDL RO wash tank. Its nice and tight..................TO TIGHT I forgot to compensate for the bends when giving him my measurements. But it drains just fine.
Last edited by Haynes Forest Products; 10-17-2018 at 08:58 AM.
I have a tight lid on my head tank, but it does not restrict air from getting in. It was not made by Smoky Lake. It just takes a good grip at 2 corners to get it up.
Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote