I have a similar setup as yours with vacuum on gas. With similiar results. I can't leave my vacuum on continually since I would be using my profits for fuel. I feel a big difference between myself and the big producers is that they can leave their pumps on continually and therefore drastically reduce the amount of bacteria that gets back into the holes. Every time there is a leak, ice jam, or vacuum gets shut off the sap can get back into the tree allowing bacteria in. I use checkvavles to help with this but they still leak. Hoping to switch to electrical soon to help with this and hopefully get a longer season.
I get what you're saying but the thing with maple is you're always chasing a way to do it better. And then in turn continually spending more more money to gain that little extra. So you're always pushing the return out further.
Did you get some good runs in the woods you tapped earlier? Or does it look like the later tapped woods will yield a lot more per tap as well? We tapped way back in January and made a lot of nice syrup in February. Then we got that warm weather and the sap started running a lot slower, was lower in sugar content, and looked a lot worse. Still trying to figure out whether it was the right thing or not. We're in southwestern Ontario, similar climate to what you have I think.
We did get some good runs from earlier tapped woods... but bc of circumstances we just didn't get to this one till later. It was a good experiment though. But with all that said it'll be a down year.
If I waited to tap in March my trees are budded and the syrup is not good. Why would I wait to tap until the “historical” time if I already made a crop in the month of February and first part of March. You saying people shouldn’t have tapped until March is honestly not logical. Your area may be different than other people’s area especially with the weather patterns this year. You got to make hay when the sun shines and let’s say February was very sunny.
What do you run for vacuum? I have 2200 taps i tapped on February 5th and im over .5 gallons of syrup per tap pulling 26.5" of vacuum and it's still running good on April 1st. I've found that it stays clear if you don't have any vacuum leaks but any air coming into the system is what it makes it scummy and looking like snot. 2 days ago when it froze i got 3400 gallons in one day from rhose taps and they've been tapped 8 weeks
It also depends on your location, temps, and if you have lots of slope or minimal slope on your lines. Everyone around me with vacuum stopped at about the same time, or earlier (if they tapped earlier).
Why can they tap earlier in Vermont and still get sap? I seen a video a guy in Vermont says he taps every December. Do the trees heal slower or something in vermont?
No it could deal with topography more slope lines drain better... so less bacteria build up in lines, but those taps won't produce as good a fresher ones when the real season is happening.
dude i tapped out the 1st of march. went with normal time i tap as of the 16th i have made 256 gal. been to clod for a week. in a good snow storm now that should charge up the trees again. making med. amber hope for 3 more weeks.
Have you boiled a cup to check the taste? I've seen perfect clear sap end of season make buddy syrup. Sugars have definitely changed.. So please keep us informed. Im 2 hours north and spetical it will be table grade syrup.
Tapped February 12th. 460 taps this year. I’m at 128 gallons of amber. Been cold this week. Warming up starting Monday. Perfect weather for the next 9 days. We just got a snow storm yesterday and today. Over a foot of snow
Thanks for telling us how it is going. I had three wood and gave them all a name. The micky the eave and the dear maples. I have the micky still taped only cause i didn’t have enough in the tank to pull em yet. I am getting 18 inches of snow today so when I go down in a day or two to see I should be like you snot or not. You think because it is a leap year?
Have you ever herd of re-tapping the same hole, 1/8 of an inch deeper? I had a older farmer tell me it works well. I.have never tried it so just wondering.
I’m going to guess 4,500 taps assuming you are at full capacity on each mainline. Also factoring in the 1/2 ton Chevy with the totes. I’m also going to assume that you buy sap as you have way more ro then what’s needed for my guess. Why is the tap count a secret?
I have a similar setup as yours with vacuum on gas. With similiar results. I can't leave my vacuum on continually since I would be using my profits for fuel. I feel a big difference between myself and the big producers is that they can leave their pumps on continually and therefore drastically reduce the amount of bacteria that gets back into the holes. Every time there is a leak, ice jam, or vacuum gets shut off the sap can get back into the tree allowing bacteria in. I use checkvavles to help with this but they still leak. Hoping to switch to electrical soon to help with this and hopefully get a longer season.
I get what you're saying but the thing with maple is you're always chasing a way to do it better. And then in turn continually spending more more money to gain that little extra. So you're always pushing the return out further.
Vt is getting slammed with a storm and super cold temps could see another 3 weeks 🤞🤞🤞Rochester VT. Hopefully it turned around for you
Thanks and good luck to you as well.
How many taps do you have all together.
Enough...
Did you get some good runs in the woods you tapped earlier? Or does it look like the later tapped woods will yield a lot more per tap as well?
We tapped way back in January and made a lot of nice syrup in February. Then we got that warm weather and the sap started running a lot slower, was lower in sugar content, and looked a lot worse.
Still trying to figure out whether it was the right thing or not. We're in southwestern Ontario, similar climate to what you have I think.
We did get some good runs from earlier tapped woods... but bc of circumstances we just didn't get to this one till later. It was a good experiment though.
But with all that said it'll be a down year.
If I waited to tap in March my trees are budded and the syrup is not good. Why would I wait to tap until the “historical” time if I already made a crop in the month of February and first part of March. You saying people shouldn’t have tapped until March is honestly not logical. Your area may be different than other people’s area especially with the weather patterns this year. You got to make hay when the sun shines and let’s say February was very sunny.
Never told YOU to do any of that. What you do is up to you my guy.
What type of spouts do you use?
The disposable extension that goes on a 7/16 stubby.
@@TheMapleDude1 Check valve?
@@MeadAdventure no regular ones
What do you run for vacuum? I have 2200 taps i tapped on February 5th and im over .5 gallons of syrup per tap pulling 26.5" of vacuum and it's still running good on April 1st. I've found that it stays clear if you don't have any vacuum leaks but any air coming into the system is what it makes it scummy and looking like snot. 2 days ago when it froze i got 3400 gallons in one day from rhose taps and they've been tapped 8 weeks
It also depends on your location, temps, and if you have lots of slope or minimal slope on your lines. Everyone around me with vacuum stopped at about the same time, or earlier (if they tapped earlier).
@@TheMapleDude1 oh ok over towards mondovi wi some of it's pretty flat
Are your trees budded out, we had some nasty sap last week , but we froze up for a few days and she is clear now
They are partially budded. Soft maple are much further along
Why can they tap earlier in Vermont and still get sap? I seen a video a guy in Vermont says he taps every December. Do the trees heal slower or something in vermont?
No it could deal with topography more slope lines drain better... so less bacteria build up in lines, but those taps won't produce as good a fresher ones when the real season is happening.
dude i tapped out the 1st of march. went with normal time i tap as of the 16th i have made 256 gal. been to clod for a week. in a good snow storm now that should charge up the trees again. making med. amber hope for 3 more weeks.
Good luck I hope you get there!
Have you boiled a cup to check the taste? I've seen perfect clear sap end of season make buddy syrup. Sugars have definitely changed.. So please keep us informed. Im 2 hours north and spetical it will be table grade syrup.
Will.do on Monday.
Here in central Michigan I don’t think it mattered if you tapped early or late either way it was a below average season.
It will be below average here too.
Tapped February 12th. 460 taps this year. I’m at 128 gallons of amber. Been cold this week. Warming up starting Monday. Perfect weather for the next 9 days. We just got a snow storm yesterday and today. Over a foot of snow
We are also getting most snow of the winter here tonight.
@@TheMapleDude1 I think we both chose the right time to tap.
Thanks for telling us how it is going. I had three wood and gave them all a name. The micky the eave and the dear maples. I have the micky still taped only cause i didn’t have enough in the tank to pull em yet. I am getting 18 inches of snow today so when I go down in a day or two to see I should be like you snot or not. You think because it is a leap year?
I don't think it's cause of a leap year.
Can't u just refresh your tap holes
You can but not a good practice and not practical with thousands.
I I would attach in January
Go for it.
Have you ever herd of re-tapping the same hole, 1/8 of an inch deeper? I had a older farmer tell me it works well. I.have never tried it so just wondering.
It would work... but only on a small scale due to the time involved.
How many pounds per tap do you average ?
Why anyone would ever listen to your advise is beyond me
Haha!!!
Would love to hear how many pounds per tap TMD averages ?
Yeah me too lol
@cadeknutson440 you guys have "small tap" syndrome and it shows.
I’m going to guess 4,500 taps assuming you are at full capacity on each mainline. Also factoring in the 1/2 ton Chevy with the totes. I’m also going to assume that you buy sap as you have way more ro then what’s needed for my guess.
Why is the tap count a secret?