Tubbing layout

[tonka]

Which one of the 2 layout do you see most ideal for the topography?

[mol1jb]

That would be easier to say if we knew what kind of system you are putting in place. 3/16 gravity, 5/16 mechanical vac, ect?

[tonka]

Sorry for the lack of details. The system will be gravity, the slope is around that 3% grade so I don't think 3/16 is an option, or is 3% enough? So if 3/16 won't work it will be setup with 5/16ths lines.

[maple flats]

If I'm reading the elevations right, it looks like you have about 20' change in elevation+/- depending on how much below the lowest contour line the tank is. In my book, with that drop you gain enough using 3/16 all the way from tree to tree and to the tank. Also, get a low tank or even set it in the ground if you can. Doing 3/16 vs gravity is like night and day, even if your average vacuum is only 10-12". Looks like the top trees would be near 20" vacuum. Remember, for every inch of vacuum you gain about 5% more sap and that's like compound interest, for every inch you gain 5% more of what you would have gotten at just 1" less. With 3/16 in essence you have no maximum line length as long as you have slope and 20 taps is good on a line. In fact I have several with 30+/- taps and one with 41 taps and 1100' long. That being said, that long one and a few above 28 taps are being split into 2 lines before next year, not because of the length but because of the sap volume at peak flow days.
Some other considerations, 3/16 costs less to install. Then after a year or 2 you could tie a diaphragm pump to the system from the extra syrup you got above what gravity would have generated and you'd have even more vacuum, using a hybrid system.

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Sorry for the lack of details. The system will be gravity, the slope is around that 3% grade so I don't think 3/16 is an option, or is 3% enough? So if 3/16 won't work it will be setup with 5/16ths lines.

The drop is more important than the slope!

[tonka]

I actually started looking again on 3/16 after I responded yesterday and realized that 3/16 could work and seeing a couple of you suggesting 3/16 is reassuring. Instead of running 3/16 to the tank, I would like to try and run a mainline at the lowest point across the woods and run the 3/16 into the main line that will empty into the tank. Comfortably estimating around 1,500 taps, possibly even 2,000 taps in this woods.