Kick me or pat me on the back????

[Brian_Stephens]

I've just spent 5K $CAD (which is about $5 US /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif actually $3700) on a used maple evaporator (small Bros 3X8)... It's something I want to do.. But why do I make a large purchase I always wonder if I've done the right thing.... Now I have to get rid of the Harley....

I still have to get the tractor, get the site cleared,get the shack built get wood cut and get the lines run... And you've think you've got a busy summer... I work 9-5 and have 2 others business's on the side... I guess maybe it's time to get my unemployed brothers up here and put them to work....

 

[DocHeb]

When you're having a rough day at the 9 to 5, do you suddenly stop, think about the evaporator, and kinda smile a bit thinking about it, and mentally tweak the plans for the sugar shack? If so, the evaporator was well worth it.

There are a series of effective ads (well, maybe not effective, rather attention getting, since I can't remember what company runs the ads) that ask the question:

Why do we work?

This question makes me stop and think - life is transient, and you better enjoy it while you have it.

How many maple trees do you have, and can you refi your home equity mortgage so you can keep the Harley?

 

[Brian_Stephens]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( When you're having a rough day at the 9 to 5, do you suddenly stop, think about the evaporator, and kinda smile a bit thinking about it, and mentally tweak the plans for the sugar shack? If so, the evaporator was well worth it.

There are a series of effective ads (well, maybe not effective, rather attention getting, since I can't remember what company runs the ads) that ask the question:

Why do we work?

This question makes me stop and think - life is transient, and you better enjoy it while you have it.

How many maple trees do you have, and can you refi your home equity mortgage so you can keep the Harley? )</font>

I actaully just don't want the bike anymore... I don't have time for it and I don't enjoy it like I used to... I bought my first Harley from a gentleman who didn't have time for it anymore... And he figured better to take a loss on the bike and have somebody ride it then to have the bike destroy itself.. And I agree with him...

I'm looking forward to the day where I can work 7 to 7 but for myself rather then 9-5 for somebody how doesn't give a **** about me....

We have 100 acres about 30 of it are in maple... I'm aiming to 250-300 taps for next season and then 500 the season after that...

 

[RobertN]

Keep the Harley; you'll need the wind in your face to even out all the hard work going on!

'Course, I can't say much; ours have been sitting a lot lately /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[JimR]

I wish I was still making maple syrup with my father in law. We gave it up after he passed away a few years back due to the amount of time it took to cook it down. We did however cheat at it very well. We make a firebox out of a 55 gallon drum. We cut a section out of the middle of it. Put a stove pipe in one end and a fire door on the other end. We made up two copper pans to boil sap in. They fit nicely into the cutout section of the drum. We had a lean to that we used to block the wind and burned up fallen trees and such for the fire. We made around 25 quarts a year depending on how long the season was. It was hard work and very long days.

 

[Rowski]

Give Alan40 a private e-mail. He got into sugaring this year with a new Algier 2X5.5, it's made in canada. He has tons of info about sugaring and all its related stuff. There is forum he goes to that just deals with maple sugaring. I helped Al fire a few times, what a blast we had. Best of luck!