What an exciting opportunity!
I think you have to ask yourself whether you want to:
a) invest $20,000 or $30,000 and upgrade to new tubing, vacuum, R.O., Steamaway, Filter Press, etc and go into Maple as your primary income source ....
b) Or invest $1,000-3,000 and continue with the gravity tubing, and 4x12 and keep maple more of a income-producing hobby.
I would advise making an inventory of all the existing equipment (evap, tanks, filtering system, tubing, etc) and see how much of it is usable and what investment is required. Were the pans cleaned when last used? Are the taps still plugged in?
Also familiarize yourself with the existing saplines. Walk them with a chainsaw and survey flagging to cut up deadfall and flag up problem areas that must be replaced or repaired and look for potential expansion.
Last edited by PerryW; 05-27-2009 at 01:12 PM.
2012: Probably 750 gravity taps and 50 buckets.
600 gal stainless milk tank.
2 - 100 gallon stock tanks
one 30 gal barrel
50 buckets
3' x 10' Waterloo Raised Flue wood fired evaporator w/ open pans.
12" x 20" Filter Canner
Sawmill next to sugarhouse solves my sugarwood problem
Gather with GMC 3500 2wd Pickup w/ 425 gallon Plastic Tank.
Been tapping here in Lyman NH since 1989 but I've been sugaring since 8 years old in 1968.
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