yet another 3/16 question

[katmike]

All buckets now... but have some potential slope for using 3/16 tubing for gravity. I have one section that I am not sure I would benefit, but I'd sure like to get these on tubing and avoid the bucket hassle.

Here's the setup: There's maybe 15 total taps I can count on a this particular slope. The highest above my potential tank area is about 20 feet, however the last taps are out of a cluster of maples that probably share a common root system that I have around 9 taps. This cluster is on a steep slope and really treacherous footing when muddy/damp. I've dumped sap here more than once, but it's yield has always been one of my best per tap. The problem is this cluster would also be the last area before the tank and I am guessing maybe only 10 feet vertical above the tank.

So my question is will I realize any benefit to having (.88 x 10 potential vacuum) on tubing instead of buckets? Or would I be better to stick with buckets here and risk injury? (I am getting this sap no matter what lol)

[jrgagne99]

3/16" tubing will produce more sap, hands down.

[BlueberryHill]

Yes, do it. You won't get "max vacuum" at that cluster but a 10 ft drop is still decent enough to see benefits. And the higher up trees will increase a bunch. You'll be glad you did it.

[DrTimPerkins]

So my question is will I realize any benefit to having (.88 x 10 potential vacuum) on tubing instead of buckets?

Since 8.8" Hg is > 0 " Hg, then the answer (will I realize any benefit) is fairly simple. Similarly, since you will significantly reduce the number of trips up the slope and therefore the risk of falling (and spilling sap) if you use 3/16" tubing, then the outcome is good either way, and doubly good at that.

[Biz]

I'll second the 3/16" tubing. New to tubing this year, but you will find that it runs longer in the evenings than buckets do, is faster and easier to gather, and your sap is cleaner since it doesn't get rainwater, bark, or insects in the sap. You will also get some vacuum which will increase sap even with only 10' of drop. Should run later in the season due to less bacteria. Cheaper than buckets too. Have we sold you yet? :)

Dave

[Maple UP]

An additional option that I've used with good results is to set up 2 separate tubing lines: one for your higher elevation trees, and the other for your lower elevation cluster. That will keep strong pessure on the entire first line and still allow you to get some vacuum on the lower trees. I've had good success with this. In any event, 3/16ths is definitely the way to go! Good luck.

[katmike]

Yes...I am sold!

Just wasn't sure.... common sense was telling me that ANY vacuum is better than 0 vacuum, but in the back of my mind I wondered about other "variables" of the physics involved. Even so, you remove potential injury and sore back, bugs, rainwater, some bacteria. Thanks for the responses!

[eustis22]

if I am in the wrong 3/16 thread I apologize but I have a couple questions. For background I am planning a small 3/16 setup for 12-20 taps on a 30 foot hill next season. Does one leave tubing up year round? If so, what about using plastic tees for the drops? do they get changed out year and if so, what does that do to your tubes? How would you flush such a set up at the end of the season? I not there are stainless tee fittings out there, does anyone go to that expense?

[psparr]

You only need to replace the taps. Leave the rest. You don't need to flush the tubing either. You can, but not necessary. I let the sap run on the ground for a day to "flush the line".

[Dave Puhl]

I have been running 5/16 for a number of years, I have 6 runs from 100-to several hundreds of feet I take them down each year.. I will put one more season on the 5/16..and then switch to 3/16....

[VTmaplehobby]

Dr. Tim as always has the right answer and the math to back it up!!!

[eustis22]

ok..here's another...does one use 3/16 spiles for the taps or does one use the regular 5/16 and how does that fit into the [assumed 3/16] tee, anyways?

[MikeV]

ok..here's another...does one use 3/16 spiles for the taps or does one use the regular 5/16 and how does that fit into the [assumed 3/16] tee, anyways?

I used 3\16" spiles from CDL - http://en.cdlinc.ca/Data/Sites/7/media/catalogue-2015-anglais.pdf PAGE # 6 shows all 3/16 and some combo 3/16" to 5\16" fittings.

Ran a test line with 23 taps, 400 + feet 3/16" line, 35' to 40' drop. Out produced pails in the same area minimum 2 to 1. Pulled all pails today and 3/16" is still running strong. No more pails for me.

[markdahl]

We are believers. 2015 Stats
141 taps on 3/16 = 1790 gal of sap (had to dump 75 gal that got too old to cook)
224 taps on bags = 865 gal of sap
about 59 gal of syrup = average 44 gal of sap per gal of syrup
.276 gal of syrup per tap on 3/16
.09 gal of syrup per tap on bags
We have 30+ft of drop on 80% of the taps on lines. The rest have less but at least 5-10 ft minimum. Short season this year with the warm weather coming early.
Everything will be on lines next year.

[MikeV]

We are believers. 2015 Stats
141 taps on 3/16 = 1790 gal of sap (had to dump 75 gal that got too old to cook)
224 taps on bags = 865 gal of sap
about 59 gal of syrup = average 44 gal of sap per gal of syrup
.276 gal of syrup per tap on 3/16
.09 gal of syrup per tap on bags
We have 30+ft of drop on 80% of the taps on lines. The rest have less but at least 5-10 ft minimum. Short season this year with the warm weather coming early.
Everything will be on lines next year.

Very impressive results markdahl - if my math is correct - 1\3 less taps with tubing yet 3X yield !

I AM SOLD!

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

I may have posted before, but the last 2 years I averaged 12 gallons of sap per tap on 5/16 gravity and this year, I got 4 gpt on 5/16. I put in 400+ on 3/16 and got 20+ gpt. About the worst or second worst weather we have had in my memory in the 25 years of making syrup. Another friend of mine that has 460 taps on 5/16 gravity about 3 miles from me and his 10 year average was .2665 gpt on them, got .109 this year and the worst year they have had in the last 11 years. I can't imagine how much sap I would have gotten if I had normal season on the 3/16. I do have probably 50' to 100' of drop on most of my 3/16 lines and they are all no more than a full roll of tubing and most much less than full roll. I have the perfect setup for 3/16 until I get older as it is so steep.