Wow, sounds like some one got really creative on that Patriot! What they were doing is increasing the size of the fire box. With a bigger box you get more heat, thus you boil faster. I would question whether that lower section of the fire box (used to be ash pit) is designed for that kind of heat. Why did seller get rid of it would be a good question. I would bet that there is some evidence of warpage from heats stress in the syrup pan. It may not effect the pan enough to cause a problem.
Good Luck
1700 Taps /1600 on Vac. 3x10 King evaporator
20 head Charolais cattle
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28 Miniature horses
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