What size black pipe for transferring sap?

[Bruce L]

We have set up another bush,tapped a little over half this year,but have to drive across a pasture to pick up the sap,nevertheless the trailer was heading for china on several occasions,and needed towing out more than once,all while I was requiring sap a mile away.We have an Echo gas transfer pump,similar to a Tanaka,1" discharge.At the main bush we have a 3/4" line to transfer sap,takes quite a while to pump a tank of sap,but a dealer recommended using 3/4" to travel the distance and height,something about restriction? In the pipe?This secondary bush would require being transferred just under 1000' in distance,and I would be raising the pipe up to possibly a height of 15' or more,so that it would drain back both ways and not freeze after pumping.Should I go with 3/4" black poly again,or will 1" work?
Thanks,Bruce

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

The bigger the pipe, the less friction to slow the flow. I use at least inch and often 1 and 1/4 inch. If you have sap, you don't want to stand around and watch a pump run!

[Russell Lampron]

I pump my sap about 1500' with a 25' elevation change. I used to use a 1" pump and 1" black poly pipe. I upgraded to a 2" pump and it was still too slow. The 1" pipe was replaced with a 1-1/4" pipe and now it takes about 20 minutes to pump 400 gallons when it used to take an hour and 20 minutes. The 1" pipe is now used as a dry line so it didn't go to waste.

[PerryW]

I have 95 gallons gravity tanks, one w/ 1 inch and one with 1-1/4 inch and it's amazing how much faster the 1-1/4 flows.

looking at my frictional flow chart on the wall..

for 1000' at 20 GPM:

1 inch pipe Frictional Head Loss = 686 feet
1-1/4" pipe Frictional Head Loss = 212 feet
1-1/2" pipe Frictional Head Loss = 56 feet

for 1000' at 10 GPM:

1 inch pipe Frictional Head Loss = 190 feet
1-1/4" pipe Frictional Head Loss = 59 feet
1-1/2" pipe Frictional Head Loss = 16 feet

For example (see red text), If you had a pump that could get the sap going at 10 GPM, the 1000' of 1-1/2" pipe the frictional loss of the pipe would be equivalent to an additional vertical head of 16 feet.

If you posted the model number of your pump, I could probably find the pump curve and calculate your numbers for you.

[Sunday Rock Maple]

We do 1,400 feet up 18 feet with 1". I agree with what the guys said -- go with 1 and 1/4" or you'll be wishing you had (like me).

[maple flats]

I have a similar issue. I pump 900' but it is a 15' drop thru 1" tubing. It takes 45 minutes with a 1.5" pump just on the suction end to transfer 275 gal. When I also run a 1" pump on the push end (both pumps running) I only get a 6-7 minute improvement. I plan to go with a 1.5" for next year for faster TF. I'll also be hauling 550 gal or more on a trip next year, possibly as much as 1100 per load, and the TF times will then be critical. I also think I'll leave a 1.5" pump at the top (woods) tank to use all the time.

[Russell Lampron]

I have a similar issue. I pump 900' but it is a 15' drop thru 1" tubing. It takes 45 minutes with a 1.5" pump just on the suction end to transfer 275 gal. When I also run a 1" pump on the push end (both pumps running) I only get a 6-7 minute improvement. I plan to go with a 1.5" for next year for faster TF. I'll also be hauling 550 gal or more on a trip next year, possibly as much as 1100 per load, and the TF times will then be critical. I also think I'll leave a 1.5" pump at the top (woods) tank to use all the time.

That's what I do with my 2" pump. I leave it at the tank all season and bring gas down when needed. I also drain it so it won't freeze.