Installing a vacuum system for newbies!

[maplechaser08]

Hey everyone..

I am installing a vacuum system on my 40 acres. I've gone through with a friend and marked where we want to run the mainline. I am going to run a 1inch mainline and then have 3/4 laterals tied in.
My question is...Should I invest the $$$ into a wet/dry line- I would rather do it right the first time then have to go back and add later.

Any other tips for a first time vacuum system installer would be greatly appreciated! My Goal is 750-1000 taps on vacuum before next season that end up right at my sugarhouse and RO.

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

A 1" mainline will be inadequate for that number of taps during a major run

[wiam]

A 1" mainline will be inadequate for that number of taps during a major run

I will agree. I have over 900 with 1" wet and 1" dry. When running hard sap will also come down the dry line. But the biggest reason I like a wet/dry setup is early morning the wet line can be froze and sap is running down the "dry" line.

[maplechaser08]

I will agree. I have over 900 with 1" wet and 1" dry. When running hard sap will also come down the dry line. But the biggest reason I like a wet/dry setup is early morning the wet line can be froze and sap is running down the "dry" line.

what size line do you recommend then? 1.25 or 1.5? I am still up in the air with whether to run one line or a wet/dry setup . mostly due to initial $.

[wiam]

Can't answer that till you tell us if you use a dry line. That will depend if you want to maximize production.

[WestfordSugarworks]

Maplechaser,

If you were in it just for fun I would say choose whatever system is low cost and will still give you enough sap to have some good boils and make some syrup. However, as you will have an RO and have a fair-sized sugarbush, I imagine you've spent some money so far and probably want some returns on your purchases. I recommend setting up an adequately sized wet dry system that will yield as much sap as possible from your 40 acres. I have a couple questions for you.


1. How long is the section that you and your friend marked to run the mainline? It's important to size your wet/dry system based on both the distance it will span, as well as the number of taps that will flow into it, among other things.

2. What's the shape of your sugarbush? If you have nice slope and a nicely shaped parcel (like we do in our 40 acre woods), you can probably get away with 1 wet/dry system that runs up the center of your woods. All mainlines could easily feed by gravity into your wet/dry lines and they could be relatively short, as is the recommended practice (some people suggest keep mainlines under 1000 ft). If you have a sugarbush that isn't well sloped you may want more than one wet/dry system.

3. What are you going to have for a vacuum pump? An adequately sized vac. pump is really important to getting good yields.

I would shoot for the best possible tubing system you can install. Once you set those mainlines up they'll be there for years. Get it right the first time! There's a lot that goes into creating a good tubing system. I would recommend getting your hands on some maple books such as the North American Maple Producers Manual and the New York State Maple Tubing and Vacuum System Notebook. Read up and you'll get an idea of what is necessary to make a good tubing system and maintain a high level of vacuum at the taphole.

I might even recommend hiring somebody to help you install. You could maybe pay them by the hour and work with them, so you could learn how to do it on your own the next time around.

Private message me if you'd like to talk more, I always like to talk sugaring and help people, especially when it comes to setting up tubing.

[Maple Man 85]

Hey everyone..

I am installing a vacuum system on my 40 acres. I've gone through with a friend and marked where we want to run the mainline. I am going to run a 1inch mainline and then have 3/4 laterals tied in.
My question is...Should I invest the $$$ into a wet/dry line- I would rather do it right the first time then have to go back and add later.

Any other tips for a first time vacuum system installer would be greatly appreciated! My Goal is 750-1000 taps on vacuum before next season that end up right at my sugarhouse and RO.

Hi Maplechaser,

I am in the same boat as you just on a but bigger scale, installing a vacuum system on my 80 acres. What I would recommend calling up your local tubing supplier and having them walk the woods with you. (I had CDL and Leader walk the woods with me and provide recommendations and a full quote). They will do some of the research and may even provide a design on a topography map. Just remember the money is made in the woods and with 750-1000 taps you are incurring some major expense so take you time, ask questions and get it right the first time cause a poor system is nothing but problems and you don't want to spend time chasing leaks. I am considering having a vacuum gauge at the end of each section of tubing leading to my main lines, eventually it would like to deploy a system at registers in the sugar house when vacuum drop so I can go directly to section and make the repairs. As westfordsugarworks mentioned we all enjoy talking maple keep asking questions!!!

[Shaun]

I referenced a vacuum notebook and went with a 1.25" dry and 1 inch wet. I was amazed at CFM loss in smaller pipes. This is for about the same amount of taps with steep slope and max 1200 foot mainline. I chose all 1 inch pipe for "lateral" mainlines.

All the other advice is very good. The price adds up fast and I agree to do it right. Hope I did...

[maplechaser08]

Thank you for the reply! PM sent!


Hi Maplechaser,

I am in the same boat as you just on a but bigger scale, installing a vacuum system on my 80 acres. What I would recommend calling up your local tubing supplier and having them walk the woods with you. (I had CDL and Leader walk the woods with me and provide recommendations and a full quote). They will do some of the research and may even provide a design on a topography map. Just remember the money is made in the woods and with 750-1000 taps you are incurring some major expense so take you time, ask questions and get it right the first time cause a poor system is nothing but problems and you don't want to spend time chasing leaks. I am considering having a vacuum gauge at the end of each section of tubing leading to my main lines, eventually it would like to deploy a system at registers in the sugar house when vacuum drop so I can go directly to section and make the repairs. As westfordsugarworks mentioned we all enjoy talking maple keep asking questions!!!

[maplechaser08]

Thank you for the advice!

Pm Sent!



Maplechaser,

If you were in it just for fun I would say choose whatever system is low cost and will still give you enough sap to have some good boils and make some syrup. However, as you will have an RO and have a fair-sized sugarbush, I imagine you've spent some money so far and probably want some returns on your purchases. I recommend setting up an adequately sized wet dry system that will yield as much sap as possible from your 40 acres. I have a couple questions for you.


1. How long is the section that you and your friend marked to run the mainline? It's important to size your wet/dry system based on both the distance it will span, as well as the number of taps that will flow into it, among other things.

2. What's the shape of your sugarbush? If you have nice slope and a nicely shaped parcel (like we do in our 40 acre woods), you can probably get away with 1 wet/dry system that runs up the center of your woods. All mainlines could easily feed by gravity into your wet/dry lines and they could be relatively short, as is the recommended practice (some people suggest keep mainlines under 1000 ft). If you have a sugarbush that isn't well sloped you may want more than one wet/dry system.

3. What are you going to have for a vacuum pump? An adequately sized vac. pump is really important to getting good yields.

I would shoot for the best possible tubing system you can install. Once you set those mainlines up they'll be there for years. Get it right the first time! There's a lot that goes into creating a good tubing system. I would recommend getting your hands on some maple books such as the North American Maple Producers Manual and the New York State Maple Tubing and Vacuum System Notebook. Read up and you'll get an idea of what is necessary to make a good tubing system and maintain a high level of vacuum at the taphole.

I might even recommend hiring somebody to help you install. You could maybe pay them by the hour and work with them, so you could learn how to do it on your own the next time around.

Private message me if you'd like to talk more, I always like to talk sugaring and help people, especially when it comes to setting up tubing.