Tapping 2019

[DrTimPerkins]

What do you mean by this? What is it about a gravity system that makes you say this? This is my first season operating a gravity system, so I'm trying to learn all I can. We will have 100 taps on 3/16 lines with about 100 feet vertical from last tree to sugar shack.

Then, assuming your system is airtight and unvented, what you have is a natural vacuum system. Gravity is the force that creates the vacuum. A "gravity" system traditionally refers to a bucket, bag, or tubing system that is not set up to generate natural vacuum.

[West Sumner Sugar]

We started tapping 2 weeks ago, ended up only getting maybe 1/3 of them in due to the 4+ feet of snow. Many of our 3/16 were buried and we spent most of the day digging them out. Hoping to get back at it this Sunday. End of next week looks promising. Just like to get the taps in before we toss another foot of snow out there.

[Revi]

We are basically tapped and ready to go, but the weather is not cooperating around here until some time next week. C'est la vie!

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Finished the line work and installing the new taps on Sunday. We are ready to tap next weekend. Planning to get it done Saturday and be ready to go other than a few odds and ends in the shack. Smoky Lake Simplicity Autodraw is in the mail. Pretty excited for that

[Revi]

It looks like it's getting warmer this weekend and all next week. It may be a short but sweet season! We'll be at the shack this weekend and it looks like until early April!

[Mvhomesteader]

Revi: just watched your video - excellent production! Your overview of syrup making was inspirational.

[bees1st]

I'll be finished tapping today. Been slow going, I've never had so much squirrel damage/ blow downs etc. Bring it on !

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Got the drill, tapping bit and hammer out and put the batteries on the charger to be ready to hit the woods tomorrow at 6 AM. Hoping I can get them all in, 350 or so. Walking may be a little better early tomorrow as cold as it has been. -15F and -12 F the past two mornings.

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Got all the taps in today. Was good snowshoeing as the snow finally settled down some. I was also walking on top of my tracks from doing line work over the past 3 weeks which helps. South facing holes had sap running in the afternoon. We’ll finish work in the shack tomorrow and be boiling sometime next week.

[abbott]

The trees have been slow to thaw, but I now have about 600 gallons in the tank, enough for 5-6 hours boiling. Excited to try out the new rig tomorrow - first time boiling with a steamaway and forced air arch.