Sap going up drop line - why?

[tgormley358]

I tapped 60 of my 100 yesterday, on new 3/16 with new 5/16 drops (no mainline) and a few types of plastic 5/16 spouts, new. On a few of the taps, as soon as I connected the drop to lateral, sap started running up the drop line to the spout, even with the drop at a steep angle to the spout. Sap also was traveling thru the 3/16 tee so it didn’t appear to be clogged. But it looks like sap from that spout is not flowing to the lateral. What would cause sap going up the drop against gravity besides clogged tee?

[maple flats]

What was the temperature out? Did the lateral go all the way down to your collection tank? How many taps do you have on the line? How much elevation drop from the lowest tree that did that to the bottom? And how much from the highest tree that did that? Is this line new this year or did you use it last year? If old, did you clean it last year?
Answer these and we may be able to help

[SeanD]

Did you tap the high end of the line and work your way down the hill? If so, the sap filling the line from the taps above you can push everything in front of it out wherever it can. So it you had residual sap or water in the line, it will be forced out especially if the drop is hanging downward before you get to it.

[tgormley358]

I did start tapping at the top of this line of 20 taps. Other answered below. Thanks really appreciate it.

What was the temperature out? 38, down from 45 earlier in the day.

Did the lateral go all the way down to your collection tank? Yes.

How many taps do you have on the line? 20

How much elevation drop from the lowest tree that did that to the bottom? 5-7’ approx. It was about half way down the line which is about 150’ as the crow flies but with zigs zags probably 225.

And how much from the highest tree that did that? Around 50’ distant, 5-7’ vertical.

Is this line new this year or did you use it last year? new

Answer these and we may be able to help

[Leanna]

I came here to ask the same question!
We're in Toronto, Ontario and this is our first foray into a gravity system.
Sap was running pretty well this afternoon for the most part but on some drops it almost seemed like they were airlocked or backing up, especially closer to the bottom of the line. They didn't seem to be feeding into the main line at all,but rather just sitting there full or with a few small bubbles inside.
We vented a couple near the tap and they drained right away but I know that's not a viable solution.
I'm *very* new to this whole process and looking for any help at all!
Thanks guys!

[maple flats]

tgormley, My guess is what SeanD said. Likely an air lock. It should not continue and with everything new there is no issue of contaminating the tap hole.

[maple flats]

Leanna, if you answer the same questions I asked tgormley it would help. Also, what is the slope on your lateral line (the tree to tree line)? I will check back in tonight, I'm heading to my sugarhouse now, but lots of other members here should also be able to help you.