3/16 gradual slope to drop off.

[cjf12]

Am I thinking right? Can I run 3/16 with a slight slope say 100 to possibly 500 feet laterally and then allow it to drop into a sinkhole and as long as I have proper drop I am good with vacuum? Does the lateral run effect the vacuum on the tap at all?

[maple flats]

Yes, the drop is not needed on that upper section as long as you have good drop after that. 30' is ideal, but any slope give you some vacuum, and I find the 3/16 is cheaper to run because you can put up to 30+ taps on each lateral, then if you are going to a mainline you only need 1 saddle, rather than 6 saddles if you'd had 5 taps per lateral. However, the 3/16 can also terminate at a tank with no saddles.

[cjf12]

Thanks, I have a sinkhole possibly 150 feet deep with steep sides in the middle of my bush and this could save close to 250 buckets. One more question. Could you overcome some sag in your line? The terrain above the sinkhole is not entirely sloped toward the sinkhole and has some raises here and there. How much could the tree "push" SAP over a slight hump? If at all?
Is this where SAP ladders come in? Trying to keep it simple.

[BlueberryHill]

how much of a sag are you talking? you should keep the tubing sloping up the whole run. if you have a dip in your terrain that is not too low, you can just tap those trees higher in order to maintain the correct slope on your tubing. I have a couple that I have to stand on my 4-wheeler to tap. (except for last year with all that snow)

[cjf12]

I just took a drive to the bush and I think your spot on. Some may need to be tapped at 10' but only a few. Hardest part will be getting a tank to the bottom of the sinkhole. Just had shoulder surgery. Anyone up to learn a little bit about rigging techniques?

[maple flats]

If the dip is in a 3/16 line but the drop is at or over 30' down stream of that dip, it won't hurt at all. If the same scenario but using 5/16, there will be a low section that holds sap to spoil and it will just hang there, not good. In 3/16 the sap and the air (gases) do not mix or pass over the other, the sap will flow completely as the stream of sap/air/sap/air ..... continues to flow.

[blissville maples]

if you drop over 20 feet 30' better youll be fine, needs to be tight though, shoot squirrel now.