Bucket Sap Level Indicator Idea

[umpwood1]

I have several bucket that are 50 to 100 feet of the trail. I was trying to come up with something to get a visual on the sap level in the buckets. After several failed attempt, I have something that works great. I drilled a small hole toward the top of the bucket. Put a 1 1/4" bobber inside, on the bottom. Attached 6lb fishing line to it. Ran the line up and out the hole, to the bottom of the bucket, on the outside. On the outside, attached a 3 oz splitshot weight, at the bottom edge of the outside of the bucket. Added a piece of orange flagging, just above the weight. As the sap level rises the weight and the flag drops, indicating the amount of sap in the bucket. Anyone have any ideas on improving this, let me know. Areal time saver.
Regards,
Woody

[TerryEspo]

Great idea. A time saver for sure since your buckets are away from your trail.

[littleTapper]

I like this idea! I'd just use a heavy steel nut vs the split shot. But, still a great idea!

[DMF]

Genius! I'm going to try this for my off the trail buckets!

[Biz]

How about using the newer blue plastic buckets? They are translucent and you can see sap level from a distance, and only about $5 each. A neighbor has some on roadside trees and you can see the sap levels when driving by. But I love your ingenuity! :)

Dave

[umpwood1]

I like this idea! I'd just use a heavy steel nut vs the split shot. But, still a great idea!

Nuts would work great. The trick is finding the weight balance. The splitshots are cheap and very easy to apply.

[umpwood1]

How about using the newer blue plastic buckets? They are translucent and you can see sap level from a distance, and only about $5 each. A neighbor has some on roadside trees and you can see the sap levels when driving by. But I love your ingenuity! :)

DaveGreat idea with the blue buckets. I already have my buckets, hate to sped money on new. This idea will work on metal, also.

[umpwood1]

I wish I could figure out how to post picture. I would show it in action.

[Sugarmaker]

Neat idea!
We gather each one any way so it doesn't matter. so we get a surprise each time we open the lid. After many years I can almost predict how much sap is out there in the bush and which ones will be full.
Regards,
Chris

[Galena]

Very cool idea Woody! If I had more than 6 trees on the perimeter of my 1/2 acre of land, I'd probably rig that up. But I must admit, I do like going from tree to tree and not knowing how much is in the buckets til I lift the lid.

[saphound]

I wish I could figure out how to post picture. I would show it in action.
To post a picture:
after clicking Reply to Thread, choose Go Advanced, scroll down and click Manage Attachments, then Add Files, then Select Files. Browse to your file, hilight it and click Open. Then click Upload File(s).
Umpwood, did you really mean to say a 3 oz splitshot? Seems a little heavy to me.

[umpwood1]

To post a picture:
after clicking Reply to Thread, choose Go Advanced, scroll down and click Manage Attachments, then Add Files, then Select Files. Browse to your file, hilight it and click Open. Then click Upload File(s).
Umpwood, did you really mean to say a 3 oz splitshot? Seems a little heavy to me.
Thanks for the instructions !! YA, i goofed on the weight. The split shots are a Water Gremlim PSS-3, 4.31 grams. I'll post some pictures this weekend.