Going to Vacuum

[Red-bellied Woodpecker]

I'm looking at going to vacuum system in the spring of 2014. With my fingers crossed that the coming spring is better then last spring I should have around $11000-$13000 to put into it. With that how many taps should I be able to set up in my bush. Also my woods has just over 2,000 taps and I have had a guy look at the bush and said I could set the whole thing up on vacuum if I choose. I will someday but just seeing with what I could afford to put into it would get me.

[spud]

Just the woods will cost you $5.00-$6.00 per tap. A 3HP two stage vacuum pump will cost you close to $4,000 but it will give you 28 inches of vac. I would rather set up just 1000-1500 to start but do it with a vacuum rather then 2000 taps with no vacuum. The quickest way to make money is to have a vacuum pump.

Spud

[sjdoyon]

Our dealer estimates $12 per tap if you hire a crew to install. If you're doing it free of labor charges, you are looking at 6-7 dollars per tap. When you do your budget, keep some extra cash for all those little items that constantly pop up.

[Jeff E]

Curious on those cost estimates. Is that just the tubing and fitting costs?
Releasers, sap pumps, potential outbuildings for releasers, all can add real costs. And that is just the woods.
My set up has basically 3 systems:
1. Vacuum system. That is the pump, the vac lines to remote releasers, releasers and tubing to the trees.
2. Pump system. That is pumps and lines to move sap to the sugar house, and electric to the pumps, and pump houses
3. Syrup making system. With all that sap, you need the right equipment. Sap storage, sap filters, RO, feed tank, evaporator, syrup filter, syrup storage and bottling.

[spud]

The estimate I gave is only for the woods set-up. That is everything from the wire to mainline, tubing, fittings, wire ties, saddles and spouts.

Spud