Sugarmaker
02-26-2011, 06:30 PM
Several folks have asked me about the roadside trees and what I call short run tubing systems or "sets"
I have about 30+ stations like this and have included some pictures of what I use to make it work for us.
The pluses:
1. Roadside trees have large crowns and generally have better sugar content.
2. Most are hard maple but I also see a lot of soft maple too. We tend to tap 98% sugars. but if a soft maple is in the line it may get a tap or two also.
3. Bringing the lines back to the sugarhouse each spring allow for a good cleaning with water and compressed air combo.
4. Instead of touching/ dumping 600 buckets we pump from 30 + locations.
5. Saves the back and more that half the time of gathering.
6. Allows me to send out a small crew to gather and I know it wont be overwhelming for them.
7. I can gather by myself and still be relaxed and refreshed when I get back to boil:) Takes about 2 - 2.5 hours to gather.
8. I set the containers on a small rather light weight wooden skid. [half of a full size skid].
9. We have about 1000 gallons of storage capacity in the containers, They are 40 and 35 gallons.
10. I use a 36 inch long bungee's with plastic hooks to hold the container to the pallet. Yellow ones from Walmart.
11. Three holes are drilled [about 7/16 dia] in the container near center just under the rim. Two holes [one on each side] are for the bungee. One is for the tubing to enter.
12. I have tried several methods of attaching the bungee but like the version this year the best. The bungee is under the pallet and up both sides.
13. I have some pictures of the CEC Loop I talk about. This is the key to making this work for us. 8 inches of 30P, two CDL end rings and you have a simple adjustable tightening system for the lines between the trees and at the container too.
14. We use the CDL end hook also and then the lines can be put up and taken down with no cutting and they can be adjusted [tightened] while your waiting for the sap to pump out of the container.
The disadvantages:
1. You have to rent the trees from land owners and pay the rent.
2. I take the tubing down each April equals more labor than leaving it in the bush.
3. We have to put it back up each spring. Takes about 15 min to re-string each set with two folks.
4. Once I have the grade set [5%] the first time. I mark the trees above and below the tubing. Then its a good reference point for setting the tubing next year.
5. I mark each set with a plastic tag with the owners name or the location.
6. All 5/16 lines so I limit each set to no more that 20 taps. [ a big run of 2 gallons per tap would fill the container].
7. I travel about 30 miles if I don't have to go back and dump the tank.
8. Cost of any new system can make you cringe. If you have buckets now this is added expense but I believe is a good investment. May want to figure $6-$8 per tap.
9. you can tighten these too tight and the fittings might pull apart when the temp drops. Carry your tubing tools when you go to gather.
10. Containers can get moved and dislocated during sever wind and snow plowing. Also inspect the lines during gathering for limbs and damage.
Well now you know the rest of the story. Sorry for the length.
This is not for everyone but hope it helps some folks! Of course questions/comments suggestions are welcome.
Regards,
Chris Casbohm
I have about 30+ stations like this and have included some pictures of what I use to make it work for us.
The pluses:
1. Roadside trees have large crowns and generally have better sugar content.
2. Most are hard maple but I also see a lot of soft maple too. We tend to tap 98% sugars. but if a soft maple is in the line it may get a tap or two also.
3. Bringing the lines back to the sugarhouse each spring allow for a good cleaning with water and compressed air combo.
4. Instead of touching/ dumping 600 buckets we pump from 30 + locations.
5. Saves the back and more that half the time of gathering.
6. Allows me to send out a small crew to gather and I know it wont be overwhelming for them.
7. I can gather by myself and still be relaxed and refreshed when I get back to boil:) Takes about 2 - 2.5 hours to gather.
8. I set the containers on a small rather light weight wooden skid. [half of a full size skid].
9. We have about 1000 gallons of storage capacity in the containers, They are 40 and 35 gallons.
10. I use a 36 inch long bungee's with plastic hooks to hold the container to the pallet. Yellow ones from Walmart.
11. Three holes are drilled [about 7/16 dia] in the container near center just under the rim. Two holes [one on each side] are for the bungee. One is for the tubing to enter.
12. I have tried several methods of attaching the bungee but like the version this year the best. The bungee is under the pallet and up both sides.
13. I have some pictures of the CEC Loop I talk about. This is the key to making this work for us. 8 inches of 30P, two CDL end rings and you have a simple adjustable tightening system for the lines between the trees and at the container too.
14. We use the CDL end hook also and then the lines can be put up and taken down with no cutting and they can be adjusted [tightened] while your waiting for the sap to pump out of the container.
The disadvantages:
1. You have to rent the trees from land owners and pay the rent.
2. I take the tubing down each April equals more labor than leaving it in the bush.
3. We have to put it back up each spring. Takes about 15 min to re-string each set with two folks.
4. Once I have the grade set [5%] the first time. I mark the trees above and below the tubing. Then its a good reference point for setting the tubing next year.
5. I mark each set with a plastic tag with the owners name or the location.
6. All 5/16 lines so I limit each set to no more that 20 taps. [ a big run of 2 gallons per tap would fill the container].
7. I travel about 30 miles if I don't have to go back and dump the tank.
8. Cost of any new system can make you cringe. If you have buckets now this is added expense but I believe is a good investment. May want to figure $6-$8 per tap.
9. you can tighten these too tight and the fittings might pull apart when the temp drops. Carry your tubing tools when you go to gather.
10. Containers can get moved and dislocated during sever wind and snow plowing. Also inspect the lines during gathering for limbs and damage.
Well now you know the rest of the story. Sorry for the length.
This is not for everyone but hope it helps some folks! Of course questions/comments suggestions are welcome.
Regards,
Chris Casbohm