creating vacumm by gravity???

[Rivers Maple Products]

hey everyone, need some advice please.....We are going to install about 300 taps at a different location besides our sugar bush this yr and just don't have the money for a vacuum pump and the likes as we are trying to establish that at the main sugar bush so i was wondering if we could get some insight from everyone on how best to create a vacuum by gravity. We have a bunch of 3/4" main line that we were going to use and then use 5/16" for the laterals and drop lines, or should we use 5/16" for everything? also to accomplish this what would the ideal drop be or for that matter the minimum drop needed to achieve vacuum? ( we don't have that much of a slope unfortunately ) thanks to all reply's in advance!

[maple flats]

If the slope is good, use 3/16 laterals. They give better natural vacuum, because the sap does not pass the air (or more correctly the gases) in the line where 5/16 does. As such it takes a lot more flow to get good vacuum on 5/16".

[Daveg]

Everything I've read so far stress trying to get 30 feet of elevation loss AFTER the last tap. You can produce 20+" of vacuum, even 27"!

[maple flats]

Cornell recently had an article in The Maple News and it seemed to show the comparison at various drops, but they were from the top tree to the tank and didn't reference the lowest tree. They showed good sap increases even with less than 30' drop, but the more the drop the better the gain.

[brookledge]

Definitely want to use 3/16. Many manufactures are now making it and expanding the fitting options. I personally would like to use 3/16 lateral and then have the tee upsized to 5/16 for the drop. That would keep the taps etc. All the same
Keith

[sugarsand]

Brookledge, if you use the 3/16 spouts you can eliminate buying 5/16-3/16 reducers, this also avoids one potential leak spot. Good luck with the little tubing, works for us.

sugarsand

[DrTimPerkins]

( we don't have that much of a slope unfortunately )

I would suggest you call or email Tim Wilmot of UVM Maple Extension (802-899-9926 or Timothy.Wilmot@uvm.edu ), the originator of the 3/16" tubing. Whether 3/16" tubing is indicated depends upon the slope, or more correctly, the elevation drop from the tap to the tank (or where it empties into mainline). 3/16" tubing should NOT be used on minimum slope.

[GeneralStark]

Definitely want to use 3/16. Many manufactures are now making it and expanding the fitting options. I personally would like to use 3/16 lateral and then have the tee upsized to 5/16 for the drop. That would keep the taps etc. All the same
Keith

I have been waiting for the same thing and CDL is making it. Will be available soon.

[WESTVIRGINIAMAPLER]

Keith,

CDL has a "T" that is for 3/16 with a 5/16" top barb for a 5/16" drop. Should already be available been on website for few weeks.


Definitely want to use 3/16. Many manufactures are now making it and expanding the fitting options. I personally would like to use 3/16 lateral and then have the tee upsized to 5/16 for the drop. That would keep the taps etc. All the same
Keith

[brookledge]

Once that becomes available you would be able to use cv's
Keith