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Thread: 2020 Tapping Season

  1. 02-13-2020, 06:05 AM #101
    bryankloos
    bryankloos is offline Maple Enthusiast bryankloos is on a distinguished road
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    Just added a shurflo 4048 this afternoon to my set up what a night and day difference it makes!!
    This is my first year with a 4008 and SS3 Controller... Wow!
    My advice is to plumb in a small recirc line if possible. Yesterday afternoon I checked on my system and sap flow was drastically slowing down for the day. I opened the recirc line a bit, vac increased greatly, and sap was again flowing heavily for a few extra hours. I probably gained an extra 0.5 gallon/tap after opening the recirc. These Shurflo's like to pump fluid a lot better than air...
    Enjoy the 4048!
    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
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  2. 02-13-2020, 08:41 AM #102
    Tobey802
    Tobey802 is offline Wood Loader Tobey802 is on a distinguished road
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    I was going to add one this afternoon!! I want to also get the s3 controller for next year right now I’m just keeping an eye on it, I do have a bypass set up so I can just turn 2 valves manually to keep it going on gravity.
    2018 - 30 buckets boiled on 2 barrel evaporators 2.5 gal
    2019 - 48 on 5/16 tubing and 30 buckets 2x4 WF mason XL 14 gallons made.
    2020 - 85 on 5/16 tubing and 30 buckets and a new cupola on the shack
    2021 - Mountain maple s3 controller with shurflo 4048 pump added 85 on 5/16 30 buckets
    2022 - 85 on 5/16 no buckets this year (next gen sugar maker on tap)
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  3. 02-13-2020, 08:49 AM #103
    Gord's Avatar
    Gord
    Gord is offline Maple Enthusiast Gord is on a distinguished road
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    I'm going to tap a new section of maples on my property. When is it best to do so; today, before the deep freeze to single digits, or after when it warms up on Sunday?
    Thanks
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  4. 02-13-2020, 08:55 AM #104
    Biz
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    Quote Originally Posted by bryankloos View Post
    This is my first year with a 4008 and SS3 Controller... Wow!
    My advice is to plumb in a small recirc line if possible. Yesterday afternoon I checked on my system and sap flow was drastically slowing down for the day. I opened the recirc line a bit, vac increased greatly, and sap was again flowing heavily for a few extra hours. I probably gained an extra 0.5 gallon/tap after opening the recirc. These Shurflo's like to pump fluid a lot better than air...
    Enjoy the 4048!
    Glad the controller is working well for you!

    Dave
    Mountain Maple farm
    2022 NAMSC award winning dark amber syrup
    2023: 320 taps, 70% red maples. Mountain Maple S4 diaphragm pump controller with automated sap transfer and text messaging
    Website:
    https://www.mountainmaplefarm.com
    https://www.facebook.com/MountainMapleFarm/
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  5. 02-14-2020, 04:26 AM #105
    Mike Van
    Mike Van is offline Maple Enthusiast Mike Van is on a distinguished road
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    Quote Originally Posted by Gord View Post
    I'm going to tap a new section of maples on my property. When is it best to do so; today, before the deep freeze to single digits, or after when it warms up on Sunday?
    Thanks
    I don't think it matters Gord - The day I tapped 80 some of mine, there wasn't a drop of sap all day - just too cold. I did the last 60 on a warmer day, sap was just starting. Right now i'm into my best year ever, 850 gal/sap so far. My back is happy for 2 days off right now. Don't drive the taps in too hard when their frozen, it'll crack the bark and they'll leak for a few days.
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  6. 02-14-2020, 06:00 AM #106
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    Gord
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    Thanks Mike. My first batch of taps didn't run the first day either.
    Still a newbie.
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  7. 02-14-2020, 07:43 AM #107
    Agent914
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    Finally, dug out and dusted off my stuff and tapped 20 trees last night - started at 8p and finished at 10p ....wife & neighbors think I am crazy ... but give me some time and I will show them what crazy is!
    19-21 Back to tapping
    17-18: not able to tap
    14-16 present: Portable Oil Tank evaporator 40+ taps
    09-14: Stove to Barrel - 20 taps
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  8. 02-14-2020, 12:16 PM #108
    Woodsrover
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    700 gallons to boil tomorrow. The local Cub Scout Pack (of which my son is a member) is coming over to see how maple syrup is made. Fun stuff!
    1980 - 6 taps, stone fire pit, drain pan evaporator, 1 pint of syrup
    2016 - 55 taps on 3/16 and gravity, new sugar shack, 2x3 Mason XL, 16 gallons of syrup
    2017 - 170 taps on 3/16, 2x4 Mason XL, NextGen RO. 50 gallons of syrup
    2018 - 250+ taps on gravity and buckets, 2x5 Smokey Lake arch and Beaverland pan.
    2019 - 250+ taps on gravity. A few buckets. 35 gallons of syrup.
    2020 - 300+ taps on gravity. 50 gallons of syrup.
    2021 - 280 taps on gravity and 40 buckets. 35 gallons of syrup.
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  9. 02-14-2020, 01:11 PM #109
    Mike Van
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    I drained mine this AM for the big freeze tonight - Got vinegar in the front 2 pans to get rid of the sand before next batch - looking like Monday right now.
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  10. 02-15-2020, 07:01 AM #110
    bryankloos
    bryankloos is offline Maple Enthusiast bryankloos is on a distinguished road
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    Update.
    Brrrr....
    Lines are frozen!
    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
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