Making a switch!!!!

[Trapper2]

Too many squirrels by me. I'm making a switch from bags, back to buckets. Should I go 3/16 with a drop into a bucket or 5/16 with a drop into a bucket? Pros/Cons? Thanks.

[sapman]

I say 5/16. The short length you have isn't going to create any vacuum,hence no benefit. I'd be using galvanized buckets if it was me. Don't think you can beat them for production. Collect often to keep lead a non issue

[Mead Maple]

Trapper,
I've been having great luck with a small hybrid system. I pre-assembled some double drops (2 taps leading into a T fitting). I cut my drops 2' long so I've got 4' of wiggle room. This allows me to use this setup with the larger trees I'm tapping. I then run the line into the lid of a 5 gallon bucket. Because of trees being close enough, I'm able to 2-6 taps into one 5 gallon bucket. Really an efficient set up. The trees aren't quite running hard yet in my location but when they do I'll have to be good about emptying the bucket as that many taps will quickly over flow a 5 gallon capacity. But I'm thrilled with the set up. Just bring an empty bucket with me when we gather and simply lift the lid pull out and replace. I'll add pics soon.

[Trapper2]

When placing drops in the buckets do you need to keep the drop close to the lid in the bucket? I realize if you put a garden house in a bucket the bucket will fill because of the water pressure but I’m not so sure on dripping sap.

[Bgreisch]

I use 5/16th taps and hoses to my buckets. I have a hole drilled on the side between the rims so you do not get any rain water leaking in. It seems like there is usually couple inches sap in the lines when I collect but does not seem to effect the flow. I have had buckets full over the hose before, the hole is drilled to be tight to try to stop any from leaking out. I even had a bucket fall over last year and was full and the hose stayed attached so no leaking from the hole.

[Mead Maple]

Yes I try to keep them in the bucket only a couple of inches. Because of the snow we had here in VT I shoveled out where I placed my buckets because of melting and issues with hose length. I found that with a larger drill bit set I was able to find a perfect but that matched the OD of 5/16” line and allows minimal of any rain water/melting snow to enter the bucket. Very efficient way of tapping multiple trees and I lay needing to check one bucket.
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[heus]

Trapper2 I know how you feel about the squirrels. Back before I switched to all tubing on vac, I put out a couple hundred bags. On two separate occasions, red squirrels chewed the corners of almost every single bag in a day.

[Trapper2]

Trapper2 I know how you feel about the squirrels. Back before I switched to all tubing on vac, I put out a couple hundred bags. On two separate occasions, red squirrels chewed the corners of almost every single bag in a day.19838
Now there's 1 working on top of the bag and 1 on the bottom. ( I hate my camera) HaHa. I had 5-6 damaged out of 50 the other day while I was cooking. 12% loss is not acceptable especially when I live 1.5 hours away from the woods.

[fisheatingbagel]

I've had the same problem with my bags and squirrels. I'm contemplating going with 3/16 drop into a bucket next year. I have a thread going over in the Tubing section asking if there are other advantages to 3/16 tubing - vacuum and taphole viability. So far, it looks like vacuum generated by 3/16 into a bucket is minimal at best, but I'm hoping the almost closed system with 3/16 tubing will extend the season. I don't think you would get this benefit with 5/16 tubing as the tube would remain open to the air rather than filling with sap.

[Mead Maple]

Dave,
I think you're right. From what I've read there is no noticeable advantage for 5/16" vs 3/16" in drops to buckets because there's not enough gravity to support a vacuum. Dr. Tim noted in one thread (don't have the link on hand) that the higher you tap in the tree there is a loss on pressure from the tree, using up whatever gravity you gained from the drop itself. So at the end of the day, a drop line into a bucket ends up being equal to a traditional bucket/spile. The advantage I see is cleaner sap (no debris) and easier to consolidate into one vessel. If you have large trees or several close together, you can group them into one bucket for several. I have up to 8 in one bucket and makes it very convenient for gathering. In regards to the closed loop system to extend the season I'll leave to the experts. But I think there's an advantage in this set up vs. open air bucket/spile because there's way less air flow reaching the hole.