Saddle gasket install trick?

[I Luv Stainless]

As I fought with properly seating over 40 gasket saddles this past week, I thought “There must be a trick I don’t know about!” How do folks get the little ring to seat itself inside the mainline hole quickly and accurately?

[sugarman3]

I have always put the gasket in by itself,conforming it to the line,gasket should have a bevel to it so when you push it in it will conform to the line and then push the saddle in the gasket holding the line on the bottom,always worked well for me,hope this will help you

[Mike's Sugar Shack]

I do the samething and put the gasket on first and only had 2 leak out of 50 saddles i do use the ones from cdl with the screw kit.

[VT_K9]

We installed several CDL saddles in 3/4" and 1" lines this year. I placed the gasket into the hole first. You can feel when the gasket is seated in to the hole. Then bring the saddle over the gasket in some what of an alignment. As you press down you can feel it seat into the gasket. I wiggle the saddle just a little when I think it is seated to ensure a good fit. I press the ratchets together and then install the screw kit. I'm headed to the woods in a bit to turn on the sap puller to see how things turned out. I am using the CDL Max-Flow saddles.

Mike

[Sullydog]

We put about 1500 of the leader ones in this year and found it was better to put the gasket on the mainline first and then put the saddle on.

[Bruce L]

Helps to moisten the saddle gasket, put it into the mainline, then we take the butt of a screwdriver handle or pliers that we are squeezing the clamps together with to gently push down into the hole and twist to make sure it is seated properly.

[I Luv Stainless]

Thanks for the ideas. I have been installing the rubber gasket first and pushing in the saddle in second. However getting the rubber ring flat and well seated in the hole can take some finesse. I’m heading out to finish the job now, I’ll try moistening with a little water (not saliva!) and some gentle pressure from a screwdriver butt. Forecast high today…. 25 f. :(

[jimsudz]

Are u sure you are drilling the right size hole?

[GeneralStark]

In LaPierre's instructional video for saddle installation they suggest using a little glycerine or food grade grease to lube the gasket before installing. Since starting to do this, I have found gasket installation to be much easier.