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Thread: Back in the game.

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Ashtabula County, Ohio
    Posts
    1,792

    Default Back in the game.

    For those that know me on here, I have changed my mind a hundred times regarding my operation. I built up to 1000 taps on vac making 300+ gallons a year, to a major downsizing this past season to 250+ taps. I have been through 3 evaporators in 10 seasons, even going from fuel oil back to wood. Went from a 600 D&G RO to a Leader MicRo2. I sold my Smoky Lake 2x8 this past spring, and was planning on just producing sap. Well, after giving it a lot of thought, I couldnt imagine not making syrup. As a result, I just placed an order for an A&A 2x8 raised flue with an airtight front. I had a new 2.5x10 from A&A and made over 1100 gallons on it in 4 seasons. It served me well, so I have no reservations about ordering another one. I still have my Micro2 RO, so will probably tap 250+ again. I turned the major part of my sugarhouse into a cabin, so the rest of it (plus another addition) will become my boiling and kitchen area. Yes, I know I'm crazy.
    1000 taps on vac down to 100+ buckets 99% sugars
    2x5 SL Hi-Output Raised Flue Corsair evaporator
    SL Short bank press with CDL diaphragm pump
    Leader Micro 1 RO for 2024
    Constantly changing
    2010:36 gal 2011:126 gal 2012:81 gal 2013:248 gal 2014: 329.5 gal 2015:305 gal 2016:316 gal 2017:258 gal 2018:147 gal 2019:91 gal 2020:30 gal 2021:30 gal 2023:50 gal Total since 2010: 2047.5 gal
    Tapping the same trees my great, great and great grandfathers tapped.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    Walpole, NH
    Posts
    1,363

    Default

    Heya, you’re not crazy, you are a true blooded sugar maker.
    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

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Albion PA
    Posts
    5,099

    Default

    Jason,
    Hard to stop this process! Your doing fine, and learning a bunch along the way. When are you going to come over and motivate me to get going on my evaporator rebuild?? Sugaring season is not that far away! Looking forward to your posts.
    Regards,
    Chris
    Casbohm Maple and Honey
    625 roadside taps + Neighbors bring some sap too!
    3x10 King, WRU, AOF and AUF
    12" SIRO Filter Press.
    2015 Ford F250 PSD sap hauler
    One Golden named Maggie, Norwegian Forest Cat named Lucy
    Too many Cub Cadets
    Ford Jubilee and several Allis WD's, and IH tractors
    1932 Ford AAB ton and a half, dump truck

    www.mapleandhoney.com

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Ashtabula County, Ohio
    Posts
    1,792

    Default

    Chris I know. For years I've been saying I need to come over and check your place out.
    1000 taps on vac down to 100+ buckets 99% sugars
    2x5 SL Hi-Output Raised Flue Corsair evaporator
    SL Short bank press with CDL diaphragm pump
    Leader Micro 1 RO for 2024
    Constantly changing
    2010:36 gal 2011:126 gal 2012:81 gal 2013:248 gal 2014: 329.5 gal 2015:305 gal 2016:316 gal 2017:258 gal 2018:147 gal 2019:91 gal 2020:30 gal 2021:30 gal 2023:50 gal Total since 2010: 2047.5 gal
    Tapping the same trees my great, great and great grandfathers tapped.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Ashtabula County, Ohio
    Posts
    1,792

    Default

    This is my new downsized setup in the lean-to portion of my former sugarhouse. It's about a 16x16 size area. 2x7 raised flue A&A evaporator with forced air.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by heus; 02-15-2020 at 06:18 AM.
    1000 taps on vac down to 100+ buckets 99% sugars
    2x5 SL Hi-Output Raised Flue Corsair evaporator
    SL Short bank press with CDL diaphragm pump
    Leader Micro 1 RO for 2024
    Constantly changing
    2010:36 gal 2011:126 gal 2012:81 gal 2013:248 gal 2014: 329.5 gal 2015:305 gal 2016:316 gal 2017:258 gal 2018:147 gal 2019:91 gal 2020:30 gal 2021:30 gal 2023:50 gal Total since 2010: 2047.5 gal
    Tapping the same trees my great, great and great grandfathers tapped.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Ashtabula County, Ohio
    Posts
    1,792

    Default

    My only problem is no floor drains. This is going to be my solution I guess (a mop).
    Attached Images Attached Images
    1000 taps on vac down to 100+ buckets 99% sugars
    2x5 SL Hi-Output Raised Flue Corsair evaporator
    SL Short bank press with CDL diaphragm pump
    Leader Micro 1 RO for 2024
    Constantly changing
    2010:36 gal 2011:126 gal 2012:81 gal 2013:248 gal 2014: 329.5 gal 2015:305 gal 2016:316 gal 2017:258 gal 2018:147 gal 2019:91 gal 2020:30 gal 2021:30 gal 2023:50 gal Total since 2010: 2047.5 gal
    Tapping the same trees my great, great and great grandfathers tapped.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2005
    Location
    Albion PA
    Posts
    5,099

    Default

    Jason,
    It looks like a very nice set up! We are snowed in!
    Your place looks inviting for family and friends to set and visit as you make syrup too.
    Regards,
    Chris
    Casbohm Maple and Honey
    625 roadside taps + Neighbors bring some sap too!
    3x10 King, WRU, AOF and AUF
    12" SIRO Filter Press.
    2015 Ford F250 PSD sap hauler
    One Golden named Maggie, Norwegian Forest Cat named Lucy
    Too many Cub Cadets
    Ford Jubilee and several Allis WD's, and IH tractors
    1932 Ford AAB ton and a half, dump truck

    www.mapleandhoney.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2011
    Location
    Temperance Mi
    Posts
    411

    Default

    Looks nice and homey Jason, it would be cool to crash in the sugarhouse, I've never done it. The back tank storage area of our sugarhouse used to be sleeping quarters but now there wouldn't be enough room for even a cot. Have fun this year!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Ashtabula County, Ohio
    Posts
    1,792

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Sugarmaker View Post
    Jason,
    It looks like a very nice set up! We are snowed in!
    Your place looks inviting for family and friends to set and visit as you make syrup too.
    Regards,
    Chris
    Chris, yes that will be nice. The "former" sugarhouse part of the cabin has two futons and other seating areas. Nice to hang out by the woodstove.

    Ed, the area where my evaporator now sits used to be an overhang where I had my 1600 and 500 gal sap tanks.
    Last edited by heus; 02-14-2020 at 09:33 AM.
    1000 taps on vac down to 100+ buckets 99% sugars
    2x5 SL Hi-Output Raised Flue Corsair evaporator
    SL Short bank press with CDL diaphragm pump
    Leader Micro 1 RO for 2024
    Constantly changing
    2010:36 gal 2011:126 gal 2012:81 gal 2013:248 gal 2014: 329.5 gal 2015:305 gal 2016:316 gal 2017:258 gal 2018:147 gal 2019:91 gal 2020:30 gal 2021:30 gal 2023:50 gal Total since 2010: 2047.5 gal
    Tapping the same trees my great, great and great grandfathers tapped.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Ashtabula County, Ohio
    Posts
    1,792

    Default

    My filtering set up for this season.
    No idea how to turn this image.
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Last edited by heus; 02-16-2020 at 07:48 AM.
    1000 taps on vac down to 100+ buckets 99% sugars
    2x5 SL Hi-Output Raised Flue Corsair evaporator
    SL Short bank press with CDL diaphragm pump
    Leader Micro 1 RO for 2024
    Constantly changing
    2010:36 gal 2011:126 gal 2012:81 gal 2013:248 gal 2014: 329.5 gal 2015:305 gal 2016:316 gal 2017:258 gal 2018:147 gal 2019:91 gal 2020:30 gal 2021:30 gal 2023:50 gal Total since 2010: 2047.5 gal
    Tapping the same trees my great, great and great grandfathers tapped.

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