New tubing user - go right to 3/16?

[TrentonMaple]

I'm making the switch from buckets to tubing. I'm going to start this year with about 70 taps on tubing. Our back sugarbush has a very steep slope - so steep that it makes collecting buckets perilous. I think the high degree of slope would let me develop a nice natural vacuum on 3/16.

But since I am new to tubing, and 3/16th is new to everyone, would I better off to stick with the tried and true 5/16 until I get the hang of things? I'd love to hear opinions.

[lakeview maple]

Jump right in with both feet, if you have the slope you say you should have great results ,go to the Proctor research center web site and read the report on 3/16th tubing , good luck ,Al

[coyote]

Go right to 3/16 if you have the right conditions. I am switching 1/2 my taps over for this year. It's a lot of work, so you want to do it only once.

[Dennis H.]

Just got a flyer from Bascoms and saw that they are now making 3/16 tubing and fittings so if it was me and I was looking into starting with 3/16, I would go for it.

[psparr]

It works great!

Sent from my SPH-L710 using Forum Fiend v1.2.7.

[unc23win]

I admit I never got much interested in the 3/16" before do to the lack of fittings. Now I am at least a little curious. I see Bascoms has the IPL/CDL fittings just wondering what do you do about saddles? Use a 3/16" to 5/16" reducer then a piece of 5/16" for your loop into the saddle?

[Walling's Maple Syrup]

I admit I never got much interested in the 3/16" before do to the lack of fittings. Now I am at least a little curious. I see Bascoms has the IPL/CDL fittings just wondering what do you do about saddles? Use a 3/16" to 5/16" reducer then a piece of 5/16" for your loop into the saddle?

D&G manufactures and has the 3/16" saddles in stock. They require a 31/64" drill bit.
Neil

[unc23win]

D&G manufactures and has the 3/16" saddles in stock. They require a 31/64" drill bit.
Neil

Thanks Neil I guess I might have to look for a D&G Dealer and try some. Have you tried some yourself?

[Walling's Maple Syrup]

Thanks Neil I guess I might have to look for a D&G Dealer and try some. Have you tried some yourself?

Yes. I set up a small 400 tap woods this year with them. They work well. If you can't find a dealer near you, I stock them.:) Probably too far of a drive though. I am sure you have one closer to you.:cool:

[unc23win]

Well I looked on the D&G website I didn't see 3/16" maybe not the right site. I am not sure where the nearest dealer is (I know there aren't many around here) I am looking into that. I'll get ahold of you if I can't find any closer. Maybe I'll drive or you'll ship? Thanks

[steve J]

They do not have them on the web or in the catalog but they do have the mainline fittings. They are in the dark ages when it comes to the internet.

[StayinLowTech]

To your original question - go 3/16, you won't regret it if you have the means to store and boil it. You will get a lot more than with 5/16 tubing and you won't have to watch as the sap barely runs in the 5/16.

[Walling's Maple Syrup]

Well I looked on the D&G website I didn't see 3/16" maybe not the right site. I am not sure where the nearest dealer is (I know there aren't many around here) I am looking into that. I'll get ahold of you if I can't find any closer. Maybe I'll drive or you'll ship? Thanks

Jared,
I sent you a pm earlier today.

[mapledog13]

I am looking to transfer over to tubing from buckets. I don;t have a lot of slope in my sugarbush, maybe 20-25 feet of total drop. I know that in order for 3/16 to work its best you need some good drop (40 ft+?). Is it still more beneficial to go with 3/16 instead of 5/16 even though I don't have the elevation? I would still get more vacuum from the 3/16 then the 5/16 even if I can't get the elevation, right?

[VTmaplehobby]

According to the study from the Proctor Center, it could still be beneficial over varying shallow slopes. Everyone who is curious about 3/16th tubing should read this paper.

Here is the link to it.

http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc/highvacuum.pdf