Pullstart 62,783 #1 Posted March 5, 2020 We popped 60 taps in my buddies forest the other day, but I forgot to grab pictures. In less than 24 hours, 70 gallons of sap were pulled out of the woods. I’ve been bedridden the last day and haven’t made it over to see the operation, but here’s an update via email. Last year, we talked about using reverses osmosis (RO) to filter out the clean water and keep the “junk” water, or sugar water. My buddy Josh put together a new RO system, doubling up two pumps inline to achieve 60 psi at the filters. The “junk” water goes back into the blue drum and the clean water was being collected in the small bucket for testing. A side by side comparison on the stove top proved that the clean water boiled down to nothing, while the sugar water turned to 7 or 8 tablespoons of syrup! 7 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,763 #2 Posted March 5, 2020 1 hour ago, pullstart said: I’ve been bedridden the last day What was her...never mind family site! 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #3 Posted March 5, 2020 1 minute ago, WHX24 said: What was her...never mind family site! I wish... fever, body aches, everything hurt. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,763 #4 Posted March 5, 2020 Prolly got the Corona virus then... take two more and call me in the morning... 6 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 27,502 #5 Posted March 5, 2020 1 minute ago, WHX24 said: Prolly got the Corona virus then... take two more and call me in the morning... Don't forget to add some lyme disease. 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #6 Posted March 5, 2020 14 minutes ago, WHX24 said: Prolly got the Corona virus then... take two more and call me in the morning... If I do I’m gonna take a pull on your syrup jar before I seal it. Misery loves company! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,763 #7 Posted March 5, 2020 25 minutes ago, pullstart said: I’m gonna take a pull on your syrup jar You can do that … I am prolly gonna mix it with enough alcohol to kill anything anyway! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,064 #8 Posted March 5, 2020 I have heard desperados shall be helping against corona.. 😂😂😂 ...or if it didn‘t help, ask Jim, Jack or Johnny..😎 keep your head up high, Buddy. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #9 Posted March 6, 2020 Just came back from the supply house. 100 spiles, 100 tees, 1000 ft tubing. We’re wrapping the Mantucket Syrup Factory with refractory insulation, the RO system is rocking and we’re burning syrup all weekend! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,763 #10 Posted March 7, 2020 Pics Kev.... 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #11 Posted March 7, 2020 1 hour ago, WHX24 said: Pics Kev.... Tomorrow 👍 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #12 Posted March 7, 2020 Here you go @WHX24 I threw a 2” blanket of refractory insulation into the chamber and lined it with a couple pieces of 1/8” plate. The amber color of the sap is from the sugar content raising JUST FROM reverse osmosis. 3 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #13 Posted March 7, 2020 Here’s our new tubing, spiles and tees. This tubing us super tough, even a challenge to press onto the barbs! It’s only 3/16” ID and is supposed to fill better, creating a better vacuum on a gravity based setup. There’s a pretty good hill here where many of the untapped maples are. The blank post on the tee is a plug, for sealing off at the end of a run. Sorry y’all, they didn’t have Regal Red tubing! 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #14 Posted March 7, 2020 For anyone new to the forum in the last year, or for a good catch up, here is the thread from last year’s maple season. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #15 Posted March 7, 2020 So this map,e syrup machine was dubbed the “ManTucket Syrup Factory.” Simple way put, you sometimes need to put your manhood behind you to stand next to it! This refractory blanket is amazing. Very little wood is bringing 3” of sap to full boil in very little time! It’s barely warm to the touch. I’ve got a feeling that between the RO system, the 100 additional taps, better insulation and a better finishing filtration system, this season might just be a bit more successful than years past! 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #16 Posted March 7, 2020 “The hills are alive, with the smells of syrup....” 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #18 Posted March 7, 2020 Hello tire, my old friend. It’s been a while, I s’pose. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #19 Posted March 7, 2020 Lunch time! I packed my left overs in foil so I could warm ‘em by the fire We’ve done ‘dogs in the syrup and poached eggs too. They’re both great, but the eggs seem to grab ahold of any and all floaties in the boil and they get quite crunchy with extras... 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tractorhead 9,064 #21 Posted March 7, 2020 I believe i can smell the syrup... i have a sweet smell in the air here👍 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
squonk 41,020 #22 Posted March 7, 2020 Kevin, they look like "revenuers" moving in on the still. Better run! I was just thinking about a big local farm that makes syrup and the open houses they used to have every year just the other day. I looked on a big local auctioneers sight last night and see all their farm equipment for sale on it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #23 Posted March 7, 2020 Sticky wagon. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,783 #24 Posted March 7, 2020 One line is run. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 48,763 #25 Posted March 8, 2020 Plumber buddy of mine, no not @JCM I ain't paid him to be my buddy yet, uses regular 1/2" plumbing pex to run his sap downhill to his cooker. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
