"transfer stations" getting the sap to the storage tank

[sugaringcrazy]

I have all 150 buckets on a hill above my sugar house and the last couple of years I have used a network of "transfer stations" to dump my 5 gallon pails as I go. These transfer stations are a collection of trash cans, horse trough, blue barrels that used to have malt in them from a local homebrew store. They are connected together via 1/2" pipeline coming out of a spigot I installed at the bottom of each barrel. I am trying to find out what other people do. It works pretty well, but I don't like my spigots I installed as they tend to leak. The barrels tend to move around breaking the silicon seal. Any thoughts on how to get that seal.

[heus]

Maybe use pvc bulkhead fittings instead of silicone.

[Thad Blaisdell]

first I would get rid of any barrel that is not food grade. Especially Garbage cans..... as they are not food grade at all. This is another example of why the FDA is knocking on our doors and why inspections of all sugarmakers is just around the corner.

[sugaringcrazy]

I am getting rid of the trash cans. I started replacing them last year. I'm aware of the food grade issue and I strongly believe that no one should be consuming syrup that has concentrated levels of chemicals, plastics, etc. I had to use what I had available. thank you for the advice

[jcb]

I used a shower drain at one time in the bottom of my feed tank, worked great

[maple flats]

Look up bulkhead fittings. I googled them and ordered 3 more yesterday. They are made to seal well but you must be able to reach both inside and outside the attach them. I ordered PVC ones, 2 at 1" and 1 at 2".

[wiam]

I have mounted bulkhead fittings from the bottom. I like that I can completely drain the tank. You wont need the nut that came with the fitting. I drilled 8 holes around the edge of the fitting and gasket to fit #8 x 1.5" stainless screws. I usually drill these with a drill press. Holes need to be as close to edge as you can get them to leave room for nuts on the bottom. Then make a hole for the fitting in the tank. I then put the fitting in from the top and drill the tank through the holes that were drilled in the fitting. Then you can put the fitting on the bottom with gasket above and put in screws. This step takes 2 people.

[GeneralStark]

I use 5 gallon buckets (food grade of course) with bulkhead fittings in the bottom (drilled with a hole saw). These a threaded to 3/4" water pipe witch runs to 1" water pipe to storage tank. All on decent slope with the pipe pipe stretched and pitched. I would recommend not using any pipe smaller than 3/4" as there is less tendency to freeze and it drains considerably faster. 1" is better. I collect with a five gallon bucket, and once I return with another full bucket the previous has drained to the tank.