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Thread: So tempted to tap.....

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Merrimack, NH
    Posts
    593

    Default So tempted to tap.....

    Looks like 4 solid days to tap and get some sap, thinking of putting in 100 today and add another 100 next week or the week after to stagger it. Argh decisions decisions!!!!
    2022 4x40" RO, Welch 1397 Vac Pump, 3 Guzzler Pumps, Lapierre Releaser, 1100 taps
    2021 Twin Baby Boys, Close to 650 taps
    2020 Upgraded RO to 2 post and 7GBS Pump. 265 taps
    2019 Smoky Lake 2x6 raised flue, Autodraw system, Maple Jet Filter Press, a beautiful new bride to be my sugaring partner :-)
    2017 Expanded Sugar Shack, new 2x6 with float box, NEXTgen Maple RO, 250+ taps, still on sap sacks
    2016 Sugar Shack, 2x6 evaporator, 160 taps, all on Sap Sacks
    2014 110 taps
    2013 35 taps

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    Montague, MA
    Posts
    16

    Default

    I would only risk it if your on vacuum otherwise your holes might close up during some of the best flows. I drilled some test holes with no flow yet and I'm in mass
    2018 -12 taps 8 vacuum 4 gravity/RO = 3 gallons syrup
    2019 - 20 taps upgraded vacuum system/RO = goal 7 gallons

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Oneida NY
    Posts
    11,564

    Default

    I'm not tapping yet. Too early unless you are on high vacuum. 3-4 days of flow followed by 3-4 weeks no flow is a poor choice.
    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.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Marysville, Ohio
    Posts
    663

    Default

    We've got the same forecast down here in central Ohio. It beautiful today, 55F and the sap is running. I tapped a couple of buckets just for "grins" and while it's running, it's not running that well. Our ground is still frozen. The forecast for the rest of February is to be below normal so I'm not expecting much if any sap based on prior years. I'm going to wait until around Valentine's Day to put in the rest of my taps.
    Leader 1/2 pint - Kawasaki Mule - Smoky Lake Filter Bottler
    24 GPH RO, 2 1/2 x 40 NF3 (NF270), 140 GPH (Brass with no relief valve ) ProCon pump
    2013 - 44 taps - 16 gallons syrup, 2014 - 109 taps - 26 gallons syrup
    2015 - 71 taps - 13.5 gallons syrup, 2016 - 125 taps - 24.25 gallons syrup
    2017 - 129 taps - 17.5 gallons syrup, 2018 - 128 taps- 18 gallons syrup
    2019 -130 taps - 18.5 gallons syrup, 2020 ~125 taps-19.75 gallons syrup

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Richmond NH
    Posts
    313

    Default

    Days like today make it really hard not to tap... 55 and sunny. I've made the mistake of chasing early runs and screwed myself for the real season later on. It sucks when everyone is getting gallons per tap and mine were almost dry.
    Jake
    smoky lake 2x6 drop flue SSR on homemade arch
    235 taps on 2 gast 1550s and lappiere releasers
    24x12 sugar house
    2019 Kubota L2501 work horse

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Walpole, NH
    Posts
    1,370

    Default

    Very tempting today, but by the weekend it is supposed to be back below freezing. National Weather Service long range temperature for the next 2 weeks after this coming weekend is for slightly below normal temperatures.
    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

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Merrimack, NH
    Posts
    593

    Default

    We are getting so close to prime time!! Cant wait!
    2022 4x40" RO, Welch 1397 Vac Pump, 3 Guzzler Pumps, Lapierre Releaser, 1100 taps
    2021 Twin Baby Boys, Close to 650 taps
    2020 Upgraded RO to 2 post and 7GBS Pump. 265 taps
    2019 Smoky Lake 2x6 raised flue, Autodraw system, Maple Jet Filter Press, a beautiful new bride to be my sugaring partner :-)
    2017 Expanded Sugar Shack, new 2x6 with float box, NEXTgen Maple RO, 250+ taps, still on sap sacks
    2016 Sugar Shack, 2x6 evaporator, 160 taps, all on Sap Sacks
    2014 110 taps
    2013 35 taps

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Wilton, NH
    Posts
    89

    Default

    Not far from you Scott. Holding out another week. Tapping 2/16
    2017 - 3 taps hanging buckets.
    2018 - 32 taps on 5 gal. buckets.
    2019 - New Mason 2x4 XL. 80 taps
    2020 - Barn / Sugarhouse finished. 125 taps. NextGen 1x40 RO
    2021 - 157 taps, 100 on 3/16 tubing w/two Shurflo set-ups, the rest on buckets
    2022 - 225 taps. 175 on 3/16 tubing, rest on buckets.
    2023 - 300 taps. 261 on tubing, 39 on 5 gal. buckets. Four Shurflo 12V set-ups.
    2024 - 340 taps. New SL 2x4 hybrid pan. Added second 1x40 membrane to RO

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    Raymond NH
    Posts
    74

    Default

    Same with me, I’m hoping to tap next weekend but I’m watching the forecast closely. Few more things to clean up and get ready this weekend.
    Started in 2013 with 15 taps on buckets and a turkey frier.
    Now 2020, 250 taps, 3/16's with vac. 10x14 sugarhouse. 2x6 Leader raised flue. Homemade 50 gal per hour RO.
    Munson's Maple’s

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2013
    Location
    Merrimack, NH
    Posts
    593

    Default

    Good luck!! I still never saw that email you said you sent me Bill, I cant find it.

    -Scott
    2022 4x40" RO, Welch 1397 Vac Pump, 3 Guzzler Pumps, Lapierre Releaser, 1100 taps
    2021 Twin Baby Boys, Close to 650 taps
    2020 Upgraded RO to 2 post and 7GBS Pump. 265 taps
    2019 Smoky Lake 2x6 raised flue, Autodraw system, Maple Jet Filter Press, a beautiful new bride to be my sugaring partner :-)
    2017 Expanded Sugar Shack, new 2x6 with float box, NEXTgen Maple RO, 250+ taps, still on sap sacks
    2016 Sugar Shack, 2x6 evaporator, 160 taps, all on Sap Sacks
    2014 110 taps
    2013 35 taps

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