Posted by FarmallCT on October 03, 2019 at 11:45:49 from (72.10.124.1):
Hi ACG, All
I hope this isn't too off topic, though having seen many threads on maple syrup in the past I am assuming it is allowable.
I am looking into getting into maple syrup production and am looking for some advice. I know ACG is the local expert on this topic and I think I have seen some others in the New England area posting about their operations on here. I will most likely be using the F series Farmalls for sap collection, to keep this at least somewhat relevant to tractors.
As a brief overview, I am familiar with the maple syrup making process. I have been making maple syrup for the past 6ish years at home on the stove with 1 tree and 3 taps, usually getting about 1 gallon a year. I was unable to do much more previously due our small farm having only about 5 acres which was mostly open field meaning not many trees. As a result of a recent move, we have now acquired about 70 acres of land, with about 55-60 acres of woods and 10-15 acres of field in northwest CT. I currently have been budgeting to purchase equipment to try to get setup for this spring. Including 5/16 tubing, taps, tanks, a new evaporator, firebrick, and a gravity filter I am looking at about $2,000-2,500 to purchase all the equipment I need to make syrup this spring. All equipment would be purchased new as most for sale locally is either much too big or asking almost new price for well worn equipment.
I have several main areas/questions I am looking to get information on.
1. Tree identification: I am familiar with tree identification techniques, and am fairly good when it comes to going by the leaves/leaf appearance/stems. This is fine for the trees around the field where leaves can easily be seen, and I have identified about 40 sugar maples so far this way. The problem I am having is that the majority of the property is woods which really only allows the bark on the trees to identify with. Any tips on this? I have been having a hard time identifying only based on the bark due to how variant sugar maple bark can be. I know many people are able to identify them in the winter with ease, so any tips would be appreciated.
2. Which trees to use: I know sugar maples are the clear first choice to use, though I have heard that many also have red maples, black maples, and silver maples as a part of their sugar bush. What are the thoughts on this? Is having red maples in the mix common? We seem to have a mix of both sugar maples and red maples. The only downsides I have heard about red maples is that they have lower sugar content so more sap is needed as well as that they bud about a month earlier than sugar maples. If using a tube system, does this mean sap collection has to stop sooner to prevent buddy tasting syrup from the red maple sap?
3. Equipment/size of equipment needed: Due to not being sure of how many sugar maple/other maple trees present, I am unsure of where to start as far as tank capacity and evaporator capacity go. I am hoping to start out with about 30-50 trees this spring if I can get everything together in time. With this said, I know I do not need anything too big, but also want to allow room to expand in the coming years. The 30-50 sugar maples I have identified so far are all from around the field, and in one area I got maybe 20 feet into the woods. The rest of the woods I have not been through yet and have no idea what I have to work with in the future, though from a quick walk a little further in I have been finding small sugar maples, and believe the tall trees are as well but cannot confirm. Evaporator prices seem to be between $1200-1600 for a decent sized, small evaporator with 1 pan and a preheater pan which should allow some degree of self feeding. I think dimensions are 2' x 3' or 2' x 4' for this price range, and estimates are that they boil 8-10 sap per hour. How much sap can I expect per tap/per season so I can get a better estimate on evaporator size? With 30-50 trees, or 50-70 taps, what size evaporator would be suggested?
4. Taps or tubes? The land has a slope to it in most places, though it is level, or at least gentle enough that a tractor can be driven mostly everywhere. As nice as buckets look they are more expensive so tubing would be my first choice, though with just starting out I am trying to keep expenses to a minimum and do not want to have to get a vacuum pump.
5. Useable materials for syrup handling: From what I have read, only stainless steel should be used for boiling pans, as aluminum or steel provides an off taste. I saw that no lead solder should be used, though some older setups I've seen for sale mention that they contain lead. Is this accurate? Also, what can be used for sap storage and transport? In many places I see food grade tanks only should be used. I found one of ACG's older posts on the subject and I believe it was mentioned old oil tanks were being used for the sap collection trailers. How would one properly clean this or other types of tanks for sap if used?
6. Rules and regulations: My final question is what are common rules and inspections? It might be a bit different in other states than here in CT, but how complicated is it to be able to sell syrup? Not sure yet how many gallons of syrup I would be getting from 30-50 trees, though I estimate at least 10 or so depending on how many I actually tap. I know I won't make any profit the first year, but I would like to know I will at least make a little to help pay for the equipment, and I would like to make sure I am doing so legally since it will be more syrup than just friends and family will be able to use.
Thank you for any replies and for helping on this off topic post. I have read as many of ACG's maple syrup posts as I could find and have seen the wealth of information that ACG and many other members hold on not only tractor topics, but on side topics such as this. I would post on MapleTrader, not sure if any of you guys use that forum as well, though am still waiting for account approval. Email should be open if anyone would rather email or have me email them.
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