Checking what VT sugar makers are doing

[spud]

I was hoping to be able to tap today but it looks like it is not going to get warm enough. We are now in for a week of cold. Looks like the last week of February the race will be on to get all tapping done. I have not tapped any South/East facing trees yet so these taps are going to be as fresh as can be. Instead of a run here and there I hope the season will just start about the second week of March and go till the 20th of April. Once the pumps get turned on they stay on for the season. I think we are going to have a good season.

Spud

[Tucker08]

Picked up the new Deer Run RO. It will be my first season with one of those. I ended up with the 125 expandable and will make it a 250 next season. I will be plumbing it in this weekend. I have added about 200 taps and have to cut in another 50 or so this weekend, which will bring me to about 650 total. Will be brisk out there, but I will be moving so it shouldn't be too bad. I still have to put the pans back together, but that shouldn't take more than a night. Have to travel for my real job next week, which considering the forcast is ok. I will start tapping as soon as I get back. Good luck in the woods everyone.

[spud]

I did not think I was going to tap today but then it warmed up enough. Got 500 in today so it turned out to be a good day.

Spud

[wsugar]

Added another 20 taps today after work. I'm getting closer to 4000 taps. Still have time with the forecast.

[wsugar]

Added another 32 taps today. Getting closer to my goal. I think this weekend I may spend sometime in the garage. Has anyone used air injectors for sap ladders?? I bought some this year on the trader I'm going to try them. If anyone has any tips let me know

[PARKER MAPLE]

Added another 32 taps today. Getting closer to my goal. I think this weekend I may spend sometime in the garage. Has anyone used air injectors for sap ladders?? I bought some this year on the trader I'm going to try them. If anyone has any tips let me know

Air injectors? Hmmm, never herd of them. It's going to be cold today they say, looks like cold for a couple more days after as well. Not getting to excited yet, I think March we will all be flooded.

[northwoods_forestry]

Air injectors for sap ladders? Never heard of that either, can you describe? Putting in my first sap ladder next week to clear the driveway and link 2 of my pipelines for vacuum.

[wsugar]

Air injectors allow you to adjust the amount of air you put into your sap ladder. My sap ladder is built by using 5/16 lines and stars top and bottom. By letting in some air it improves the lift system. Defeats the vacuum but I had to do it to get the sap moving. I will try to get some pics this weekend and post what I'm doing. I'm not sure if this works on a two pipe sap ladder. Time will tell. 😄😄

[PARKER MAPLE]

Air injectors allow you to adjust the amount of air you put into your sap ladder. My sap ladder is built by using 5/16 lines and stars top and bottom. By letting in some air it improves the lift system. Defeats the vacuum but I had to do it to get the sap moving. I will try to get some pics this weekend and post what I'm doing. I'm not sure if this works on a two pipe sap ladder. Time will tell. 😄😄

Oh ok, I just did my first ladder. 5/16 with 2 6way stars. Lifting apprx 10'. I wonder if I should or will need one. Time will tell. I'm only lifting apprx 50taps.

[syrup2nv]

Syrupn2v- Wow sounds like you have some big money tied up in your operation. In time you might want to be the sap buyer of the South. Put that 8 post to work. Best of luck on your season.

Spud

Spud,
I bought 45,000gal, and produced 70,000gal of my own last year. Processed on a 2 post machine. This year should be a "little" less RO'ing time! Always buying good clean sap!