How Far?

[toquin]

How far would you run 5/16 into your main to pick up another tree? 1-2 taps,gravity.

[sjdoyon]

it's not recommended to run 5/16 more than a hundred feet. You also need to consider the cost of the tubing and the return on sap. If boiling for the joy of it then the latter probably doesn't matter.



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

[adk1]

I go as far as I need since maples are scattered here and there. I will run around 2000' of lateral line to pick up 120 taps. Do the math, that is alot of lateral line for that amount of taps

[ennismaple]

ADK1 - that's not too far off the rule of thumb of 15' of lateral line per tap. We generally get about that in our bush too. It sounds better when you say 4 rolls or $3.35 per tap for lateral line tubing!

I'll easily run another 50 feet to get another tap. I figure its better than not tapping that tree at all, it just takes slightly longer to pay for the line and fittings to add that tap. The way I look at it is all your money's in buildings, evaporator, RO (for some), tractors, tanks, releasers, tools and mainlines. Adding more taps by stretching new laterals is the cheapest part of the operation and the fastest way to pay off your capital costs.