The base on hand pump cracked and leaked syrup while filtering. We had to stop filtering.  We checked our records:  the same piece cracked in 2017.  We got the filter press for 2002 season so the original part lasted 15 years.  We were not expecting the base to crack again so soon.  We keep a spare diaphragm on hand because they wear out from the pumping action.   But the base is just a reservoir although it does get the pressure generated from the pumping action.

33 overnight.  Cloudy windy most of the day.  Snow flurries at 12:45 PM.  By 3:45 PM the sun was out.  Forecast for low 20s next two nights with high around 40.  That’s what we need.

Into the woods at Noon for finishing and bottling.  We were planning a big weekend of bottling.  We had 4 milk cans of syrup.    Planned to bottle 1 today and 2 or 3 tomorrow.  Now we have to wait for parts to recover from the pump blowout.    Time is running out.   Back to the farmhouse by 4:00 PM.