3/16 vs 5/16

[michttm]

I am running a new mainline with about 180 taps on it. I would like to know which configuration I would get the most sap from, running a 3/4 mainline with 25in of vacuum: 5/16 with 5 or less taps on 50 to 75 ft laterals or 3/16 with approx 20 taps per lateral. There isn't a lot of slope after the last tap so I'm not depending on natural vacuum and would run the pump either way. Appreciate all the great advice I get from all the wisdom on this forum......Terry

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

It is going to depend on the drop you have on your laterals from the high point to your mainline.

[maple flats]

Running 3/16 with vacuum has at least 2 advantages, even with a little slope the 3/16 adds to the vacuum the pump produces, up to max. if the 2 combined get there. I think a bigger advantage is that 3/16 does not let the sap pool because the sap and air (gasses from the tree) remain separated and they flow even if you get a low spot because a fallen limb pushed it down. I also think the sap stays cooler in the 3/16 because it moves thru faster.

[MISugarDaddy]

Not to steal this thread, but do people using 3/16 tubing have any problems with line plugging due to small wood chips from the tap holes? It seems that we always get a few chips from 5/16 in our collection barrels so I was wondering if those chips would plug up 3/16 at the T's. The majority of our lines are on gravity.
Gary

[Cody]

Not to steal this thread, but do people using 3/16 tubing have any problems with line plugging due to small wood chips from the tap holes? It seems that we always get a few chips from 5/16 in our collection barrels so I was wondering if those chips would plug up 3/16 at the T's. The majority of our lines are on gravity.
GaryWe use a tapping bit,this is our first year with the 3/16 and no problem what so ever.Did notice small chips in collection tank.The sap does really race down the laterals though,and I think the sap stays cooler cause it doesn't sit in the lines.

[WVKeith]

Not to steal this thread, but do people using 3/16 tubing have any problems with line plugging due to small wood chips from the tap holes? It seems that we always get a few chips from 5/16 in our collection barrels so I was wondering if those chips would plug up 3/16 at the T's. The majority of our lines are on gravity.
Gary

I have had a couple situations of small wood chips lodging at the "T"s. They did not appear to stop the flow, but probably slowed it down. Nothing so big that I could not just "flick" the tubing and get the wood chips to move down the line. I do use a tapping bit, but frequently drill over my head where I cannot see in the hole. I plan to be more careful in the future to keep clean tap holes.

Keith

[michttm]

From what I have read, for 3/16 the last tap on the line should be 30 feet above where it enters the mainline. Is this 30 ft drop or 30 ft of lateral from last tap to the mainline. If the former, that is some pretty steep ground for sure. If it is 30 ft of lateral, how much drop should there be from the last tap to the mainline.....Terry

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

On 3/16, your last tap can be as close to the mainline as you want. For it to have maximum vacuum, it would need 30' of fall. But if it was 10 feet above the mainline, gravity would produce about 8" of vacuum. If you have a pump as well, this vacuum would be addative to whatever was on the line at the point of entry into the mainline up to maximum vacuum (a bit over 29" at sea level)

[michttm]

Some real good info here, but all things considered, with approx 5% slope and 25 in of vacuum (both natural and mechanical combined) which will provide the most sap at the end of the season 3/15 or 5/16? Thanks much.....Terry

[mainebackswoodssyrup]

Call me a pessimist, but I wonder what 3/16" tubing will look like and how it will function long term....... in 10 years? With 10 years of mold, wood chips, yeast, etc plugging up tees and connectors. Lines will get crud in them no matter what you do and I would think the 3/16" would be impacted most. Maybe I'm wrong.......It's too early to tell with this new technology but if I was planning on having a vacuum pump anyway I would stick with 5/16".

[GeneralStark]

Call me a pessimist, but I wonder what 3/16" tubing will look like and how it will function long term....... in 10 years? With 10 years of mold, wood chips, yeast, etc plugging up tees and connectors. Lines will get crud in them no matter what you do and I would think the 3/16" would be impacted most. Maybe I'm wrong.......It's too early to tell with this new technology but if I was planning on having a vacuum pump anyway I would stick with 5/16".

I'm kind of with you on this. I replaced 8 long 5/16 laterals this season with 3/16 to experiment. It seems to me that if 3/16" works on high vac. it could be advantageous in several situations I have in very steep slope areas. The lines I replaced were over 100' long and had 5-7 taps on each. They seemed to work great until while pulling taps with the vac. on I found that 6 of 8 were completely plugged about halfway up the lateral. What surprised me was they were not plugged at a T but between trees and in each case it was a 3/4" long blob of pink snot that we all see in our tubing.

Perhaps if I had pulled taps immediately after the season ended I could have avoided this but either way I suspect plugging of 3/16 lines will be a challenge.

[michttm]

Many thanks to everyone for the great info. I have decided to go with the 5/16 due to the possibility of plugging. I know the 5/16 works so I figure I'll just stick with what I know a little something about.....Terry