mechanical release for small operation

[DocsMapleSyrup]

I'm planning on tubing my woods and have 150 taps with a maximum possibility of doubling the number to 300 but no more. I have no access to electrical and have to have a mechanical releaser out in the woods at a gathering tank unless I run ladders. It sounds like I'll be able to have tghe maximum amount of vacuum if I release at a gathering tank in the woods rather than having multiple sap ladders to lift approximately 30' to get the sap back to the sugar shack. Any recommendations on mechanical releasers? Thank you.

[JoeJ]

I would suggest using a Lapierre single vertical releaser. It looks like the only size in the catalog is a 12" x 18" for 1,200 taps. I know it is too big but the release mechanism is full proof. I have 5 of them that I have used for 13 years and they work great. The releaser has to be under some sort of cover. I would forget about the sap ladders if at all possible.

Joe

[ennismaple]

I'm planning on tubing my woods and have 150 taps with a maximum possibility of doubling the number to 300 but no more. I have no access to electrical and have to have a mechanical releaser out in the woods at a gathering tank unless I run ladders. It sounds like I'll be able to have tghe maximum amount of vacuum if I release at a gathering tank in the woods rather than having multiple sap ladders to lift approximately 30' to get the sap back to the sugar shack. Any recommendations on mechanical releasers? Thank you.

I would recommend you put a releaser at the tank and then pump back to the camp using portable gas powered pump if the distance is OK to overcome the distance and elevation. Worst case you run a generator and a high lift pump.

[DrTimPerkins]

Lapierre does make an 8" x 14" single-vertical releaser for 500 taps (Bernard style). Note that mechanical releasers don't always work well out in the woods where they can freeze up, so a shelter box to keep rain/snow off of them might be good. I agree that using a gas pump at the tank rather than sap ladders is probably the way to go. Ladders "might" work OK for a while once you get them dialed-in, but often take a lot of fiddling to get them to work properly and efficiently, so either way you're going to spend time in the woods (either pumping or dealing with ladder issues). Pumping is more reliable.

[OGDENS SUGAR BUSH]

I installed the small releaser from lapierre in 2 different woods. built small sheds for tanks and equipment. pretty much good to go after starting them each morning. Trouble with ladders is takes longer for them to thaw out on marginal temperature days. Some days when temps hung at 35/36 degrees they never did thaw out and never got a run those days

[Ultimatetreehugger]

I also have the Lapierre 500. This spring was my first season on it and I'm quite pleased. As with any releaser build a dog house. I built mine out of old barn windows I got at the dump. Even on a marginal day I'd open it up to clean and it would be 10 to 20 degrees warmer inside. Didn't freeze hard at all. 202232022320223

[DrTimPerkins]

Some folks will insulate the doghouse, and put a small long-life candle inside on marginal nights to prevent freeze-ups.

[DocsMapleSyrup]

Sorry for the late reply, but thank you for the ideas. I have a CDL dealer that I have bought tubing from but am going high vac in the next year. The salesman for the dealer said that he's running 5 CDL mechanical releasers that work well as long as the proper maintenance is completed. Mind you this is from a sales person. Any CDL mechanical releaser likers/dislikers?

[Ultimatetreehugger]

I've heard the dumping mechanismare not reliable, I was told this by my local CDL rep.

[Clinkis]

I have ran one of the small mechanical releasers from Lapierre for 4 seasons now. Works flawlessly if kept clean, lubricated and unthawed. I am also running on a gas powered vacuum pump. Releaser and tank are in an insulated shed but they will still freeze on a cold night. I always put a stick to hold flapper open once I shut down for the night to ensure releaser stays drained. I can fire up on cold mornings when lines are frozen and go to work and once everything thaws it works great without having to babysit it.

I would also avoid ladders if possible. I have 2 in my system out of necessity and they work but, as already mentioned, they are finicky and require regular tweaking to keep they working effectively and they can be slow to thaw in the morning.

[DrTimPerkins]

Works flawlessly if kept clean, lubricated and unthawed.

That pretty much spells it all out right there. Great advice.