PDA

View Full Version : High Tensile Wire



OCHTO
10-07-2014, 11:59 AM
Planning on running 400' of 1/2 inch tubing as I am sick of carrying sap in 5 gal jugs to my shack. I have very little slope so I'm going to put up some scaffolding with a tree stand ladder to a platform to get my 2 percent slope. I have 20 gal. tanks for each end. 8 feet of drop in 400 seems like a lot just to get fluid to flow? Will I be able to get that wire tight enough to need minimal supports? I'm putting a ratchet on each end. Can I just use Y's cut from saplings for support. I read a post where a fellow was putting a fence post every 25 feet. That seems excessive and expensive but he must have been using larger tubing.
Thanks

GeneralStark
10-07-2014, 12:34 PM
Just to be clear, are you saying you're setting up some sort of "dump station" or are you actually setting up mainline and lateral tubing?

If you are setting up a dump station you do want to support the line as much as possible as when the sap is flowing through there will be a significant amount of weight in the pipe. Using saplings or scrap wood is fine.

Also, you would be better off using at least 3/4" pipe if not 1" for a dump station. Having done this, I had problems with 3/4" line on low slope air locking and freezing. 1" will allow better flow of the sap and fewer issues.

Stretch the wire tight, and use side ties if possible, and support it frequently.

unc23win
10-07-2014, 12:42 PM
I like to use the high tensile spring as well. In fencing we put the spring in the middle of the run with the ratchet so it pulls both ways. When I do main lines I put a sping and ratchet at one end.

Get your wire run how you want it then put the line on then see if it will tighten a little more and then add supports where needed.

As General said you might want larger pipe.

BreezyHill
10-07-2014, 02:08 PM
With 1/2" pipe being fairly light you will be able to be able to run supports at 30-35'.

High tensile springs are designed for wire to be tensioned to 250-300#. I tighten to 7-800# for support wire. Springs start to become misshapen at 350 and at 500# are worthless. On Gallagher springs there is a mark on the bail wire that is marked off in 100# increments.

While not a true dump station in a milk production point of view it is still a dump station.

This will work. In the future you may want to invest in a cordless drill and a pump for the end to pump the sap up and into the line from your tank. Climbing the ladder to dump the buckets will be tough on the ankles, hips, knees and shoulders. But a few strategically placed shelves to pass the buckets to will make life easier. While you could achieve this with slightly less slope 2% will give you some room for error if you have a support that allows the slope to be less than ideal. You could use rapid tie to hold the system tight as a side pull and give support if you have trees to tie off to.

Ben

Mark-NH
10-07-2014, 08:07 PM
2 thoughts as I run 500' of line across a field.

"1. Skip 1/2". Go to 3/4". Negligible price difference, as easy to wok with and big performance difference.

You straighten the line, not by placing supports under the line but by offsetting the supports and pulling the line towards them. It looks like a big snake

OCHTO
10-08-2014, 07:06 AM
Who makes rapid tie? I don't recall seeing it in the catalogs. Springs too, should I be able to get one where they sell the wire? Will a drill pump move the sap straight up 12 feet? I'm glad I asked you guys the question, more questions but I only want to do this once so do it right. But it should work! Bigger pipe? I envisage dumping 10 gallons then going down the line to get 10 more. When I think about all the trips I made back and forth the last couple years I can't believe I do it. I really like the drill pump suggestion. Thanks

BreezyHill
10-08-2014, 07:44 AM
Capacity of 1/2" pipe is in the 85 gallons/ hr at 2% slope and 3/4" is 195 GPH, 1" is 330 GPM
Drill pump Yes. Spring from Gallagher or most any where HT wire is sold.
Rapid Tie is a CDL product. CDL USA catalogue on the internet will list your areas dealers...mostly...they don't have all of them in the current catalogue.

My Motto is "Work Smart Not Hard"

Rapid tie is also available in some nursery supply stores now in a slightly different material and in different sizes. This product is changing bushes and the way we design systems. I give a guy 20' and he comes back and buys a roll or two. One guy ordered 20 rolls for this coming season Great stuff!

Ben

Dennis H.
10-08-2014, 09:08 AM
Why do you need a tank up so high?

I would get one of those 2cycle pumps and just pump it up and then over to where you want it to go.
Place your collection tank on the ground out in the woods and when you go to collect the sap take along the little pump.
Use either unions or camlocks to hook the line that you ran to the other tank, then hook up inlet hose to the pump that you place the other end into your collection tank. Fire up the pump and watch the sap go, no climbing of steps or ladder.

OCHTO
10-08-2014, 09:30 AM
The light bulb went on when I heard drill pump. Yep, no ladders. Now to go shopping. I knew I would get some answers here. Thanks again all.

GeneralStark
10-08-2014, 10:30 AM
Drill pumps are junk. You will burn up the pump and a cordless drill trying to pump any substantial quantity of sap.

unc23win
10-08-2014, 11:36 AM
Drill pumps are junk. You will burn up the pump and a cordless drill trying to pump any substantial quantity of sap.

Ditto that.

OCHTO
10-09-2014, 06:02 AM
Anyone know of an inexpensive 12 volt pump that would pump straight up 12 ft. My cabin is 12 volt so I have lots of batteries.

OCHTO
10-09-2014, 08:19 AM
Answer my own question, found one on E bay $65.00.