Anyone using 3/16 tubing with sap ladders?

[pls009]

I'm setting up ladders right now and almost done and a local dealer mentioned that people are using 3/16th with success on their ladders. I wish I would of heard this sooner but I could still replace them if it appears the best way to go. I wonder if you use 3/16th, is the rule of thumb for number of taps per star fitting the same? Thanks for input and experience on this issue.

[GeneralStark]

I fail to see how using 3/16 tubing would in any way benefit the performance of a sap ladder. The whole point of a sap ladder is to get air bubbles to carry sap uphill in the tubing. The increased line loss from narrower diameter tubing due to friction will reduce the capability of the air to move through the ladder thus reducing the system's performance.

It is important to remember in a vacuum tubing system the whole point is air removal. The more effectively the system is set up to allow air to pass through, the better it will perform.

[maple flats]

While it would take far more lines to lift the sap, I'd think each would be good, because in 3/16 the sap and gases (air) remain separate, thus you would get a constant flow. In fact, while I have no 3/16 ladders, last season I did have a large limb fall and it forced that 3/16 lateral to the ground. I still had about 20-25' of fall before it got to the mainline and it was very interesting to watch the sap flow go down under the limb, then raise about 10' to the next tap, then continue down hill to the mainline. I seemed to flow as if that limb was not holding it down to the ground.

[eagle lake sugar]

I asked that question to Glen Goodrich at a seminar this spring, he has changed many of his lines to 3/16 and certainly has more experience than me. He has been studying 3/16 performance with the assistance of vacuum monitoring equipment etc., and claims that ladder performance will be improved by using 3/16 tubing. This monitoring of vac. levels has also changed his thinking on taps per lateral. He said he now recommends up to 15 taps per riser on a ladder if I remember correctly. He runs laterals no longer than 150' and yes, does have more than 5 taps per lat. According to him, there are many advantages to using 3/16, such as increased production with less vacuum, less vacuum loss with a tubing break etc., lower cost,etc. I have some 5/16 tubing to use up, after that my next section of woods will be 3/16.

[BreezyHill]

If a person only had a few taps to lift then 3/16 would work well.

If you have a main to lift the number of risers of 3/16 to equal the volume/capacity of the main would be far to many to be practical or economical. Then factor in the speed at which the 3/16 line will freeze at the end of the day and it wont be given a second thought.

Think of it this way: Are you going to drink your morning coffee thru a straw, how about 5 stirrers 5 feet long? Nope just going to take a drink and enjoy.

Remember a ladder is all about how fast you can get the sap to the top if you want to have good vac past the ladder.