MapleAcres

The tractor ran out of fuel in the woods while we were collecting.   We checked the fuel level before we started the tractor and it was good.   We were almost done when it ran out.  We heard the engine sputter and then it stopped.  The big question was would it start?  Given the problems we had we were concerned.   It did not start.  It would not even turn over.  So we were out in the woods with a dead tractor.  Jumping it does not work well.  The tractor is 6 volt.  Cars and trucks are 12 volt.  12 volt jumping to 6 volt is problematic and potentially dangerous.  We were close enough to the building that we could string together three extension cords so we could connect the battery charger.    But even after charging it would not turn over.   So we had 125 gallons of sap in the tank and dead tractor.   It was getting dark and snow was forecast.   We got a hold of someone with a 4 wheel drive truck.  Connected the tow rope and pulled it.  Within  a few feet it started.   Got the tank of sap back to the building.  And the tractor to the garage.   Its not clear what’s wrong with the tractor.  Its never started this hard. 

About 27 overnight.  Up to 36 today.  Cloudy and snow showers all day, but not an accumulation of snow.  We may get snow tonight.   We did see the sun for an hour or so late this afternoon. 

We bottled 6 ½ gallons of syrup this morning.  We checked the buckets and the ice had melted.  Its forecast to be below freezing the next few days.  Since the sap is liquid now we wanted to collect it.  Picked up 425 gallons of sap.

Cold overnight again.  Single digits maybe 8.  Sunny during the day.  Up to 35.  By Noon we got a little melt.  Some trees tried to run.  But when it gets so cold it takes time for them to warm up.

Prepared the kitchen for bottling:  started the propane gas, washed the filter press,  brought over bottles, filter aid and other supplies for bottling.  By 2:30 PM we were finally ready to get the syrup on the finishing pan.   Takes about 2 hours to reach a boil and finish.  It starts about 30 brix and needs to get to 32 brix for finished syrup.

We bottled 16 quarts and 26 pints:  7.5 gallons.  One pint bottle broke.  Likely a flaw in the glass that caused it to break when the hot syrup hit it. 

We hope to collect tomorrow before the snow moves in.  We are forecast to get 2”-4”.  And then it stays below freezing for the next few days.  And another chance of snow on Monday.  Not exactly the weather we need.

It was cold last night.  Thermometer said 18 this morning, but it must have been colder overnight as the evaporator had ice on it.  It was sunny, but cold all day.  Might have reached 34 late this afternoon as there was some melt.  Very glad we collected yesterday otherwise we would have solid ice in the buckets.

The tanks did have a thin layer of ice.  The concern was now the pipes.  The pipes were empty, but when you run liquid through cold pipes it can freeze up.  So we warmed the pipes before trying to open the valves.  Used the heating tape outside and the small propane touch inside to warm the pipes.  It worked: when we opened the values the sap flowed from the tanks.

Boiled all day.  Four batches of syrup into the milk can.  About every 2 ½ hours a batch was ready.  We boiled through 260 gallons in 12 hours so that’s 22 gallons an hour.

Tonight is cold again: forecast is for 8.   Friday we could get several inches of snow.

Down to 28 last night.  Re-froze all the melt from the prior days rain.  And we had maybe  1/2” of snow.  Up to 36 today and partly sunny.  We had a few lazy snow flakes at times.  At 2:00 PM we headed out to collect.  The tractor started right away!    We had some concern there would be a lot of ice in the buckets.  There was not a lot of ice.  It did not drop below freezing until after mid-night.  And when the sun did appear it help melt.  We collected 260 gallons of sap.   There was rain mixed in with the sap too.  We may have to boil longer.  Tonight it gets colder: in the teens.  Glad the buckets are empty and ready for fresh sap. 

For reference, last year’s season, 2012,  March 12th was about the end of the season due to the warm weather.

Emptied the storage tanks today.  Took three batches of syrup off the evaporator.  The milk can is almost full.  We still need to finish it on the gas finishing pan and bottle. 

Didn’t seem to freeze overnight.  Today was still cloudy with a few shows.  Up to 37.  Around noon sleet started to fall.  By late this afternoon it turned to snow.   We are due for an inch or so. 

We should have collected this afternoon.  Some buckets are half full and its turning colder.  That means ice.  If we collected today it would have been liquid.

We did try starting the tractor this afternoon.  We didn’t need it for anything; we were just testing.  It started!   We hope this continues.

Had the first boil about 10:50 AM.  By 4:15 PM we took a batch of syrup off the evaporator.  Did not bottle it yet.  We will wait until we have more in the milk can.   Stayed until about 6:00 PM.  We did not empty the storage tank.  Tomorrow we will finish.

The weather was crummy all day.  Rain.  Cloudy.  Rain on packed snow makes ice.  It was very slippery.  If it had been colder this would have been a major snow.  They rain makes you feel crummy too.  Its just not maple syrup weather.

We may or may not get some snow yet.  Further North its forecast for 5”-10”.  But it will be colder tomorrow.  We should have some freezing nights next week.   That will create even more ice from the rain and snow melt of today.

Around 28 for the  overnight low.  Cloudy and then rainy today.  High around 40.    Prepared the storage tanks and syrup building today.  Had to break up the ice around the storage tanks and wash the tanks.   Put up the new smoke stack.   Prepared the values and pipes from the storage tanks to the evaporator.  Our plan was to start collecting around 2:00 PM.  Help arrived to help us collect.  We were delayed again by tractor trouble.  The battery was completely dead.  Hooked up the charger. 

While charging one of the helpers said he knew tractors.  We told him of our troubles.  He started looking at it.  Found water in the air filter.  He said its common for water to get into the air filter when the tractor is used for snow plowing, which ours is.   Dried it out and added a clean oil bath.  After the charge was completed the tractor started right away.  Maybe we were sucking water in through the air filter.  That would cause problems.  We await to see what happens in the coming days.

The new collecting tank with the self standing legs is nice.  It stays in place on the wagon.  We struggled for too many years with that round bottom tank. 

About 4:30 PM it started raining.  It will melt the snow, but leave a mess.  Tomorrow rain continues.  Next week it gets colder but there may be a few good days for us.

Tomorrow we start the evaporator and boil.   We will have syrup soon.

Down to 8 last night.  About 40 today and sunny.  The sap ran.  We hope to collect tomorrow.  But the weekend weather gets messy.  Warmer and rain.  Rain will settle the snow, but also leave a lot of water. 

Tractor started this morning without a problem.   Put out 50 taps.  Left the tractor running in woods while we worked.  Came back to house for more buckets.  Shut off the tractor.  We did this to see if problems starting would return.  There were problems.  The engine turned over but would not fire.  Drained the battery and needed to charge it.  Hit it hard with starter fluid.  Finally it started to fire.  It didn’t start right away but it was trying.  A few more attempts and it was running.  It should not be this hard to start.  Plugs, points, coil all replaced now.  This is frustrating.

Put out 168 taps today.  That gives up 468.  We will find 7 more so we have 475.  We tried 75 of the smaller 5/16” plastic spouts.  Broke the first bit before we finished the first tap hole with it.   Seemed to be a flaw in the metal used in the bit.   But we did have another.  These spouts seem to work well.  The aluminum pails hang well on these spouts.  Sap flowed well.  And a smaller hole is easier on the tree: it heals over faster.  We tapped smaller trees with this spout: 10”-12” diameter.   We were staying above 14” diameter with the 7/16” stainless steel spout. 

Tomorrow we prepare the building and collect.

Down to 18 overnight.  Sunny today with a high around 32.  That’s the weather we need during maple syrup season.

Our plan was to start tapping around 8:00 AM.  Nope.  Tractor trouble.  It would not start again.  Called the mechanic.  He was busy in the morning.  Got here around 12:30.  Of course he got the tractor started without any problem.  We felt a bit embarrassed.   He held the choke out until the tractor fired.  We were releasing the choke much sooner and hence starving it for fuel.  Our choke method had worked for years.  So something changed in the engine.   But the tractor has a lot of years on it.  The expertise of a mechanic who can hear and feel these changes can resolve these type of problems easily. 

While waiting for the mechanic we loaded the pickup truck with buckets and covers and headed out to tap.  This was about 11:15 AM.  We did not want to waste the whole day.  Sap is moving in the trees.   We stayed close to the building where we could carry buckets and covers.   We got 80 taps out.  Went for lunch.  After lunch we did 105 taps then loaded up again and tapped another 65.   We should have 300 taps now.   Tomorrow we push for another 100 – 200 taps.

Mid-20s last night.  Cloudy and windy today but temperature reached mid-30s.  The plan for the day was to tap.   However the plan failed early when the tractor did not start.  We were afraid of that last night when it wouldn’t start.  It would turn over but never fire up.  We called the mechanic.  He arrived this afternoon.  Checked the electrical signals.  Filed the points a bit, then the tractor started.  So he replaced the points and plugs so they were fresh.  We are still a little apprehensive that it will start tomorrow.  We will likely let it idol in the woods so we don’t get stranded out there. 

Tomorrow we plan to push hard to get the taps out.  The weather is going to change and we want the taps out. 

The hoses and valves for the R/O arrived.    We still have to get them connected.  And think through how it alters our work flow.