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Thread: Mason 2x4

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    CT
    Posts
    247

    Default Mason 2x4

    Hello All,

    I'm looking at the Mason 2x4 for next season.

    I see the "basic" and XL versions, the latter with an additional section.
    I'm assuming the boil rate would be the same for either version, which raises the question if the XL worht the additional $400?
    Can anyone with more experience weigh in?

    Many Thanks,

    Bryan
    2024 - 160 taps, Shurflo 4048. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 Raised Flue. 5x400 RO.
    2023 - 121 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 20 gallons.
    2022 - 103 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 23 gallons.
    2021 - 77 taps on Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 22 gallons.
    2020 - 70ish taps on Shurflo 4008. Mason 2x4 XL. DIY R.O. ~24 gallons.
    ______________________________________________
    Trout Brook Valley
    Weston, CT

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    CT
    Posts
    247

    Default

    I now see that the pre-heater is mounted on the stack... would this make upgrading to a better flue pan down the road impossible?

    Thanks.
    2024 - 160 taps, Shurflo 4048. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 Raised Flue. 5x400 RO.
    2023 - 121 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 20 gallons.
    2022 - 103 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 23 gallons.
    2021 - 77 taps on Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 22 gallons.
    2020 - 70ish taps on Shurflo 4008. Mason 2x4 XL. DIY R.O. ~24 gallons.
    ______________________________________________
    Trout Brook Valley
    Weston, CT

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Location
    Middlesex Vermont
    Posts
    655

    Default

    I have the mason 2x4 but bought it before he had an xl version. my pre heater was mounted over the elbow but I upgraded my pan to a Leader supreme pan with a float so my preheater is no longer used and I feed directly to the float.
    110 taps W.F Mason 2x3 and two turkey friers for finishing

    2011 expanding to a Mason 2x4 with a blower increasing taps to about 200
    2011 Hurricane Irene rips thru my small sugar bush cost me to lose 20% of taps
    2014 I have reworked my lines for 2014
    32 taps on 5/16 line with check valves
    57 taps on 3/16 line with check valves
    55 buckets with total tapped trees of 144

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    West Simsbury, CT
    Posts
    66

    Default

    I have the 2x4XL. It has 4 channels instead of 3 on the regular pan, plus reverse flow, which is nice. I believe the new XL has the preheater directly on the firebox and there were some recent threads on here about that set up. The XL has worked great for me, and worth the extra investment in my view.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2017
    Location
    Wilton, NH
    Posts
    89

    Default

    I definitely recommend the 2x4XL. Just finished my first season with it, and very happy I went with the XL. Finished season with 24 gal. syrup on 80 taps.
    As noted above, the XL has four channels and reverse flow capability. The preheater sits directly on the arch, yielding 140-150 temps at the preheater outlet when at full boil. When really flying along, with good dry, wrist size split wood, I was seeing consistent 14-16 gph evap. rate.
    Bonus is Bill Mason is a great guy to deal with. A++ for the Mason 2x4XL
    Thanks, Bill
    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

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    CT
    Posts
    247

    Default

    Thanks for the feedback and good reports on the XL.
    I've been emailing with Bill and seems he is going to get me in line for late summer delivery.
    I'm having him send me info on Casters so I can roll the arch in and out of the garage where it will live in its off season.
    Very exciting!
    Thanks for the help.
    2024 - 160 taps, Shurflo 4048. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 Raised Flue. 5x400 RO.
    2023 - 121 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 20 gallons.
    2022 - 103 taps. Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 23 gallons.
    2021 - 77 taps on Shurflo 4008. Sap Sucker 4-D. Mason 2x4 XL, 4x150 RO. 22 gallons.
    2020 - 70ish taps on Shurflo 4008. Mason 2x4 XL. DIY R.O. ~24 gallons.
    ______________________________________________
    Trout Brook Valley
    Weston, CT

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2018
    Location
    Northeast Indiana
    Posts
    58

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by bryankloos View Post
    I now see that the pre-heater is mounted on the stack... would this make upgrading to a better flue pan down the road impossible?

    Thanks.
    No not impossible. Most manufacturers will fabricate custom pans no problem. You just might need to get your order in early for the coming year since it won't be a stock item.

    I think Bill's 2x4XL is the best divided pan out there. Also, going with the 2x4 over 2x3 will give a lot more options if you decide to upgrade pans down the road.
    Sunrise 2X4 Hobby
    Smoky Lake Hybrid Pan

    2020
    100 Taps

    2019
    40 Taps

  8. #8
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Florence
    Posts
    12

    Default

    I just took delivery of a Mason 2x3xl with the casters. They are very high quality. I was impressed with how smooth they worked over compacted gravel.
    2022 - 60 taps, WF Mason 12x20 Finisher Bottler,
    2021 - 55 taps, RO Bucket RB10, 10 gal syrup
    2020 - 44 taps, WF Mason 2x3 XL, 4.3 gal syrup
    2019 - 50 taps, 2-18"x24" flat pans over cinderblock arch, 4 gal syrup
    2018 - 50 taps, 2-18"x24" flat pans over cinderblock arch, 3 gal syrup
    2017 - 40 taps, 2-18"x24" flat pans over fire, 2 gal syrup
    2016 - 25 taps, 2 12"x20" warming pans over fire, 1 gal syrup

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Ogdensburg, NY
    Posts
    113

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Big Mike View Post
    I just took delivery of a Mason 2x3xl with the casters. They are very high quality. I was impressed with how smooth they worked over compacted gravel.
    What's Bill's estimate of the boiling rate of that unit?
    2016 - helped at afriend with a small operation, 300+ taps. = hooked
    2017 - 20 taps @ home, 1 gal @ home on propane, then hauled to friends operation
    Bought a whole shack locally, with a Leader 1/2 Pint, moved it home
    2018 - 50 taps, 9 on 3/16 gravity and 41 pails -14 gallons of good sweet stuff
    2019 - 27 taps, 17 on 3/16 gravity and 10 on pails - 12-3/4 gallons of good sweet stuff (most fun I've had with this hobby)

  10. #10
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Florence
    Posts
    12

    Default

    Evaporation rate for the Mason 2x3 is 7-9 gph
    2022 - 60 taps, WF Mason 12x20 Finisher Bottler,
    2021 - 55 taps, RO Bucket RB10, 10 gal syrup
    2020 - 44 taps, WF Mason 2x3 XL, 4.3 gal syrup
    2019 - 50 taps, 2-18"x24" flat pans over cinderblock arch, 4 gal syrup
    2018 - 50 taps, 2-18"x24" flat pans over cinderblock arch, 3 gal syrup
    2017 - 40 taps, 2-18"x24" flat pans over fire, 2 gal syrup
    2016 - 25 taps, 2 12"x20" warming pans over fire, 1 gal syrup

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