Input on best wood fired evaporator for the $$ / leader vs cdl vs lapierre

[Stone]

I have a 3x12 Leader Vortex with max flue pan, revolution front pan, and enhanced steam away. I've had this rig for 5 seasons. I have a flow meter on my incoming sap and when we're fully up to temperature (about 1hr) we stay between 5-6gpm (300-360gph). Boiling 8% concentrate, we use a cord of wood to produce roughly 170gal syrup; I think it was more like 50:1 when we were boiling raw sap (but I don't measure wood usage very closely). We use a timer to fire every 8min which works well for us. My only complaints are 1) the firebrick and/or refractory cement can't take the heat so it cracks (Leader is working on this) and 2) I would like to have a push plate in the front to push the front pan against the flue pan.

I agree that getting real comparison pricing can be difficult. A dealer can be a great help there; I've had very good experience with Goodrich's in Cabot, VT.

[RUNOFBANK]

Thanks everyone for all the great input.
Here is a photo of the first boil on our new rig.
It certainly makes steam. Lots of it.
IMG_6385.jpg
IMG_6390.jpg

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Don't think you went wrong with that decision, it is an amazing machine.