PDA

View Full Version : Questions on a little bit of everything.....



Austin351
02-14-2017, 12:01 PM
Where to start....?? :confused:

Wanting to step up production this year but it is just a hobby.

1. My property - about 50 taps, all reds. 25 of these I think I can get about a 4-5% slope and contemplating running 3/16" natural vacuum. The other 25 taps would be around 2% slope and thinking 5/16" gravity?

2. Neighbors property (may or may not tap) - about 30-50 taps, mainly reds and a few sugars. Again, about a 5% slope, running the whole thing on 3/16" natural vacuum?

3. Due to my work schedule, I would only be able to collect once a week. My thoughts are to put a caged tote (285 gal?) at each property for the lines to run into. As long as the tote is in the shaded area, do you see any issues with a 7 day collection timeline? If I figure a 1 gal per tap average per day (?), I will be running 245 gallons per week of sap. (Guessing the vacuum may do better and the gravity may do less)

4. I'm about 90% completed with my DIY oil tank evaporator. Most pans are 24" wide but the tank, where I cut it, is about 27" wide. Would it be best to cut / weld so the sides are 24" across or use some 3" angle iron to make a shelf / span to hold the pan and leave the width 27"? Horse a piece?

TIA

psparr
02-14-2017, 01:10 PM
How much drop do you have after your taps? If. It much then 3/16 might not be the way to go.
I only boil on he weekends, only lost sap towards the end of the season. I tap early though to take advantage of the cold.
For the arch, you can use 2" angle that will get you to 23" then weld tabs in place to keep the pans from moving around. Only gives 1/2" to rest on, but works for me.

Austin351
02-14-2017, 01:24 PM
300' total length, first 200' would be 5-6% slope and the last 100' going to the tote would only be 1-2%. Perhaps running the 3/16" into a 5'16" main would be better?