Sap Ladder Question

[michiganfarmer2]

I got about 12 acres. I got about 1100 taps. I have an sp22 vacuum pump. I need about 6 sap ladders in that woods, is that enough vacuum pump? What information do you need to answer this question?

[waysidemaple]

Pretty sure that an sp22 isnt going to be enough pump for that. 800 taps would be pushing it for an sp22 without sap ladders.

Scott

[red maples]

nah I would say 900-950 would be good with a sp22 but anyway 6 lifts and 1100 taps go bigger than a sp22

[michiganfarmer2]

are there bigger piston pumps than the sp22?

[wiam]

I ran about 1000 on a sp-22 with no ladders with 23" of vac. doubt it would work with the ladders.

[DrTimPerkins]

I got about 12 acres. I got about 1100 taps. I have an sp22 vacuum pump. I need about 6 sap ladders in that woods, is that enough vacuum pump? What information do you need to answer this question?

Maximum lift with ladders is about 20 ft, but that takes a good pump that will move a lot of CFM, and will result in very little vacuum at the end of your woods (you're using all the pumps capacity to move sap in the ladder instead). The best number of ladders to use is NONE if at all possible. They can frequently be a real PITA in terms of keeping them running properly (they freeze up, break, thaw out slowly, kll your vacuum). Your production would definitely be impacted. If you had to use one in an area that you could check regularly....OK...if you must, but if you can find another way to do it without having to use 6 ladders (or even 1), I'd do that instead.

[sjdoyon]

You'd be lucky to have one ladder work. Try to find a work around.


4,200+ Taps
7,5 HP Vacuum pump
Lapierre 600gph RO
3 SS 1500 gallon tanks
3x10 Inferno Arch
24x32 Sugarhouse

[OGDENS SUGAR BUSH]

all good advice about ladders(see where it all comes from) its fine if you got 5% slope but here in MICHIGAN where its pretty flat ladders are better than buckets any day. I have 3 of them and all 300 taps comes thru the last 1. not sure if a sp22 is big enough pump

[Greenwich Maple Man]

Has anybody ever tried the "injector" from Leader for sap ladders? They are not cheap but have wondered how they work?

[tuckermtn]

There are plenty of pumps with more CFM than a SP-22. As for a bigger piston pump there are BB-4s that are the next step up in the Surge line-up. Nice pump- but pretty hard to find.

[maple connection]

The air injector from leader works very well. In our experience in WI we struggle to get 1% slope. Sap ladders are a must in alot of locations unless you like to pump alot, Alot of people are using the high cfm vacuum pumps that can give you vacuum at 25 inches at all times. The key is not to have a under sized pump. We use wet dry lines with these sap ladders. And The main lines have to be straight and super tight with no low stops for freeze up. We struggle with flat land. I Think that sap ladders work the best with a air injector. With a super air tight system I don't believe the sap ladders work properly. You add a air injector and the sap flows up the ladders very nicely.