Minimum tap number to require a main line

[PerryFamily]

Hello all. I was wondering about a gravity tubing setup. 1) What would be the minimum tap number to require a mainline. I have a spot that has approx 125 taps, side hill fairly steep. I would like to do it in 5/16 and not mess with a main line. Seems like the pipe, wire and saddles would be fairly expensive for only 125 taps.

2) I have another section that was tapped years ago and needs to be re done. Not sure the exact amount but there is 70 acres total. The existing main is a white tubing probably 1/2", maybe 3/4". This lot has the potential of vacuum since there is a power pole at the roads edge. What would be the recommended setup for this lot. If I am going to invest in re stringing this lot I would like to do it once. Single 1" line ? Wet dry line??

Thanks in advance

[Tapped Out]

I have been told to use 15 taps or less on laterlines (5/16" tubing). If you ever choose to run vacuum, then cut it down to 5-7 taps, before entering a mainline. If your hillside is steep you do not want a lot of sap turbulance in that little line. Hope this helps with your first question. I'm new at this, but sure that others will agree.

[Thad Blaisdell]

70 acres leaves a lot of grey area, how many taps? good slope to one area? Is it all maple or sparce?

Where abouts are you located?

[PerryFamily]

I believe there to be 300 + taps on the property. The property follows a small stream to the road and it is fairly steep at the stream. The rest is a gentle slope. I am located in westminster vt. The lots are in Westminster west.

[maple flats]

300 taps on 70 acres is very low, unless the maples are bunched together.

[PerryFamily]

I honestly have yet to walk the property. I got in touch with the landowner from the guy who used to tap it. He has 70 acres total and I believe some of it is on the opposite side of the road which pitches the wrong way. I have no idea if all of the potential trees were tapped. I may not even get this spot set up for the up coming season depending on funding.

[maple flats]

If steep enough you can have a lot of taps on a lateral. Check with Yeast Pimp, I think he has something like 53 taps on one line. His land has very good slope (too steep to easily walk for sure). He can give you his slope and the flows he gets. I think he does not tap near the bottom of his hill.

[rookie]

check the property for maples before your plans get to big. I have about 3 acres across the street that is on a steep hill. I had all sorts of dreams and plans about putting a collection tank at the base of the hill, so I got out my flagging tape to mark all my maples. . . . boy was i dissapointed when all I found was one large maple at the top of the hill! not even worth the effort to climb back up the hill again. most of the trees were hemlocks, pine and ash :( oh well.