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View Full Version : 5/16th Drops on 3/16th Laterals?



OakCorner
03-01-2015, 08:57 AM
Hi everyone. I'm setting up some new 3/16th laterals this year and was just wondering how people are doing the drops. Typically I use the 5/16th CVs on 5/16th laterals. I'm thinking of a few different ways I could set this up so I'll list them:

1) Use 5/16th CVs on 5/16th drop and then reduce down to a 3/16th stub to fit on the 3/16th tee with the 5/16th to 3/16th CDL reducer
2) Instead of using the CDL reducer can I just slide the 5/16th drop over a stub of 3/16th and then connect to 3/16th tee?
3) Just use 3/16th spouts on 3/16th drops but then I don't get the extra benefit of the CV spouts

Do they make tees with 3/16th sides and a 5/16th top barb? That would make this a lot easier. All I've seen are full 3/16th tees. Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!

WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER
03-01-2015, 11:32 AM
I set up 400 on 3/16 this year and I went with 8" of 3/16 and then adapter to 5/16 and 24" of 5/16. This allows me to use leader seasonal first year and check valve after that. I may try some next year with just 3/16 drops and replacing with 3/16 spout every year. I think CDL is coming out this spring with T that have 5/16 barb on it for 5/16 drops.

steve J
03-01-2015, 02:51 PM
I set up my 3/16th lines a year ago before all the new 3/16 fittings were made. And the way I am set up is with 5/16th drops with a 5/16 to 3/16 reducer were about a 3 inch piece of 3/16 is used to connect to the T it works fine.

DJ Lasell
03-16-2015, 11:11 AM
I have about 25 taps on a knoll with 5/16 taps, drops and laterals.
from my last (lowest) tap to my collection barrel is about a 200 foot run with 20 feet drop in elevation.
Will I gain vacuum (more flow) if I only replace the last 200 foot run of 5/16 with 3/16.
If so, how much?

I also have a couple other similar areas with less final drop.

wurmdert
03-16-2015, 05:45 PM
I ran 3/16 to the tree, and i expect to see a 3/16 cv spout very soon. D&G already makes a tee with 1 5/16 barb I used them to attach by vacuum gauges.

DJ i expect you would still get vacuum but not as much as full 3/16 run due to a shorter column of sap pulling on the upper taps.

Meaford Maples
03-16-2015, 08:46 PM
Last year I used 5/16 drops with 3/16 line. I used a 3/16 x 3/16 x 3/16 tee and put a short piece of 3/16 line over the leg of the tee and then trimmed it flush. The 5/16 slid nicely over that for my drop. This year I am using 3/16 drops and spiles and like avoiding the extra step. Good luck. I love using 3/16" lines with free vacuum.
Steve

DJ Lasell
03-18-2015, 10:34 AM
if I use 3/16 laterals with 15 to 25 taps (about 30 feet of drop each), can I use 5/16 as a mainline for 2 or 3 of the 3/16 laterals without restricting anything?
I have lots of extra 5/16 now.
Mainline will have about 2% grade.
Will the mainline need to be vented?

wurmdert
03-18-2015, 01:35 PM
I dont think you should have over 50 taps running into 5/16. I dont think its recommended to use it as a main line. The sap will run down it, but i dont think efficent