We finished up boiling today. Finished the year with 301 gallons. The sap was coming in so slow we would not get enough to boil for over a week. In addition several sugarmakers around are getting ropey sap. Soft maple buds are starting to open. The only thing missing are the peepers. Overall we made a little more than last year (274 gallons). We experienced our first electric releaser and it was a huge improvement over mechanical. I will put together a new post about that upgrade.
Mike
Tapping since 1985 (four generations back to early to mid 1900s). 200-250 taps on buckets and then tubing in the mid 90s. 2013- 275 taps w/sap puller 25 gal. 2014-295 taps w/sap puller 55 ga. (re-tapped to vacuum theory) 2015-330 taps full vac. 65 gal, 2016-400 taps 105 gal, 2017-400 taps 95 gal. 2018-additional 800' mainline and maybe 400 new taps for a total near 800 taps. 2x6 Leader WSE (last year on it) supported by a 250 gph RO.
Congratulations on your season. This morning at 5 I had 1200 gallons in the tank and the woods is froze up. The temp at 5am was 29. Hoping for a good run today. I heard peppers last night. Still hoping to go till Easter Sunday. People in town are pulling spouts but they are at a lower elevation and they have a lot of soft maples. Sap testing 1.2%
Spud
Congratulations on a good season. It’s always good to spend improvements and actually have a good season the first year you put these in use. The end is always bittersweet, but it’s time to move onto something else and start planning for next season.Originally Posted by VT_K9
Sugaring for 45+ years
New Sugarhouse 14'x32'
New to Me Algier 2'x8' wood fired evaporator
2022 added a used RB25 RO Bucket
250 mostly Sugar Maples, 15% Soft Maples. Currently,(110on 3/16" and 125 on Shurflo 4008 vacuum, 15 gravity), (16,000 before being disabled)
1947 Farmall H and Wagon with gathering tank
2012 Kubota with forks to move wood around
I had 1000 gallons in the tank this morning at 5. The sap was near stopped this morning, but sense has picked up and is running 135 gph. Sap is testing at 1.1%. Hoping to make it through the upcoming snow storm and recharge the trees. Suppose to get 5-6 inches of snow tomorrow.
Spud
Only have about 300 gallons in the tank this morning. It was snowing at 5 this morning and the woods is froze up. I plan to keep the pump on until tomorrow and see if I get a run after the storm. Sap testing at 1.1% and vacuum dropped go 24 yesterday due to the heat. The end is near. A few of my neighbors are waiting out the storm also.
Spud
I didn’t boil this year. Exploring selling sap to a local buyer. I’m very happy with the outcome
Hope you all had a great year
PM
vacuum
RO
filter press
auto draw
New leader oil fired
http://s712.photobucket.com/albums/ww123/jtrap/
Sap is running 250 gph hour today. Should run till 10 pm and then freeze. Testing at 1% now. Should go till weekend now.
Spud
I got 1800 gallons yesterday. Sap is testing at 1%. The woods is froze up right now but should get another run today. I think I’m going to shut the pump off Saturday morning.
Spud
Pulled the plug this afternoon. Sap was still running but the quality was not there. I beat last years number so I’m happy. May God bless you all.
Spud
Thanks for all your updates
44 27'08/71 27'56
300 totalish taps 250 on tube and bosworth sap sucker
50 bucket and bags about 40-50 gallons a season
on a 2 by 7 home made evaporator and sugar shack
1st gen circa 1966 still learning stuff
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
