Sap Sacks Hanging Crooked - Running On the GROUND!

[JayTee]

I'm using Sap Sacks for the first time and running into a problem. Any suggestion or corrections would be appreciated! Finally have sap running again in Southeast Missouri. Checked a couple of my sacks to find them most empty, hanging cattywampus, dripping on the edge of the sack holder and running onto THE GROUND! What am I missing in installation/application? I ended up breaking some sticks to shove behind and push them out a bit, that seems like I should not have to do that.

Here's what I found:
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My temporary fix with a stick. That will probably last as long as the first windy day.
20706

Thanks for looking and any ideas.

John

P.S. Thanks to the moderators/owners for implementing image uploads. Have used forums in the past where the only way to include an image was with HTML and a link to an image hosting site.

jT

[johnallin]

Those look like they're bucket spouts. You could possibly cut some off the end to shorten them up or mill up some wood shims to replace the sticks...

Sap Meister makes spouts specifically for bag holders.
https://sapmeister.com/?product=bag-spout

There are others out there, but I used them with good results.

Good luck, and that is one of the best focused pics I think I've ever seen on Trader.

[Pdiamond]

My bag spiles have a ring like a washer you would use on a bolt. You might be able to put washers on those spiles to make it work for this year. I agree with John that those look like bucket spiles.

[JayTee]

@John Allin and @Pdiamond ,

Thanks for the replies. Thought maybe it was something I was missing. :confused: Odd thing is, those were part of a "Beginners Sap Bag Holder Kit" from Roth Sugar Bush.

12 - Blue Sap Bags
12 - 7/16" Hookless Aluminum Spouts
12 - Galvanized Sap Bag Holders
1 - 7/16" Tapping Bit


Kind of thought they would match everything up correctly. Maybe I'll drop them an email.

Thanks for the picture compliment. Got my DSLR out so I could control things. :)

John

[wobbletop]

I used the home made PVC pipe holders for my sap bags. I find them easier to use a if you cap the top (with say tinfoil) then very little gets into the bag with the sap. ie no bug, etc.

[JayTee]

@wobbletop - found directions for those after ordering my set of steel bag hangers. Made the PVC with a 4" piece of 2" Schedule 40. The top/open end seals up very nicely with a 2" Knock-Out Test Cap (https://www.menards.com/main/plumbing/pipe-fittings/pvc-pipe-fittings/oatey-reg-2-knock-out-test-cap/39101/p-1444449937121-c-8571.htm), this is from Menard's. Easily pops out, keeps dirt, leaves and rain out, costs $0.33/each.

I'm also going to trial a make-your-own-bag with vacuum sealing food bag, sealed at one end. Have to look on here and see what the up/down sides of that are.

Just need to get some more taps to trial them on.

John

[wobbletop]

I've looked forever to find a good cap. The PVC ones actually seem to shrink year to year and don't fit anymore. Possibly my wife put them through the dishwasher.

How many mils is the food bag? I worry about them rubbing on the trees in the wind if they are too thin.

[Polaris1]

I made my own pvc holders as well. I was going to use vacuum sealed bags but after trying 1 I bought sap sacks. Vac bags r stiff to wrap are the holder. If you do the math sacks are cheaper I believe. As for caps I looked all over for a reasonable price cap. I did the cheap way. Used a thin walled bottle of water. I cut it about 2” down from where it starts to go to the neck. Then cut out the key hole. Spike holds it on. I tried to download pic but didn’t work.

[Etown Maple Syrup]

The tap hole is not big enough to sink your taps in. Use a 7/16" bit and pound them flush with the ridge on the spout but not too tight to split the wood above or below. Then the gap will close. The drill angle down looks good! These are the spouts I use, no problems. (ok, once during a very windy day, and after I emptied the bags, they blew off).

[JayTee]

The tap hole is not big enough to sink your taps in. Use a 7/16" bit and pound them flush with the ridge on the spout but not too tight to split the wood above or below. Then the gap will close. The drill angle down looks good! These are the spouts I use, no problems. (ok, once during a very windy day, and after I emptied the bags, they blew off).

I did use the 7/16" bit that came with the kit-taps/bags/holders. I stopped tapping when it sounded solid, concerned about splitting the wood - so yes, definitely before it's seated to that ridge. I'll have to do some judicious tapping.

This afternoon I came up with a temporary fix. Cut some pieces out of a piece of 1x4 Cedar Plank that I had scrap to put behind the holders.
20711
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Thanks for all the help!

John

[JayTee]

How many mils is the food bag? I worry about them rubbing on the trees in the wind if they are too thin.

I just realized I had not answered your question. Was about to say, "I have no idea, as I no longer have the packaging". Then it occurred to me to go back and check old Amazon Orders.

2 - 8"X50' Rolls of FoodVacBags 4 mil $14.99. So, assuming 24" lengths, 2 rolls would make 50 bags @ $0.30/ea.

The commercial bags are 12.5"x24" and 5mil; 50 bags on Roths are $0.27/ea

The long and short, you're right. Not worth 'rolling your own'. However, they'll do in a pinch.

John

[Pdiamond]

Your spiles are seated correctly now. If they weren't you would probably see leakage around the hole. Very good idea for the wooden block.

[Trapper2]

20740 I also made my own bag holders.

[Trapper2]

20741 Hopefully this picture is better.

[Trapper2]

20742 In use.

[wobbletop]

My holders and in use...

207582075920760

[JayTee]

@Trapper2 and wobbletop - do you have an concerns about ingress of rain or snow through the top of the bag?

I had read a suggestion for using two cable ties . . . gather the bag, cable tie it (just as you've done). Fold the bag top over/down, add second cable tie below the first.

Kind of makes sense, at least for Southeast Missouri, where we are more likely to have rainy days.

John

[Chickenman]

I originally did the double zip tie and fold over thingy. Found it to be unnecessary and time consuming. Fold the sides in accordion style and zip tie tight. have had full 3 gallon plus bags and never a problem with them slipping.

[wobbletop]

@Trapper2 and wobbletop - do you have an concerns about ingress of rain or snow through the top of the bag?

I had read a suggestion for using two cable ties . . . gather the bag, cable tie it (just as you've done). Fold the bag top over/down, add second cable tie below the first.

Kind of makes sense, at least for Southeast Missouri, where we are more likely to have rainy days.

John

No concerns for me. It's so much more sealed than a bucket, I don't worry.

I've never added a second cable tie. I added the extra lip on my holder and it's never an issue. It also makes removal at the end of the year very easy. Just push the holder into the bag, past the zip tie and everything comes apart.

[Trapper2]

@Trapper2 and wobbletop - do you have an concerns about ingress of rain or snow through the top of the bag?

I had read a suggestion for using two cable ties . . . gather the bag, cable tie it (just as you've done). Fold the bag top over/down, add second cable tie below the first.

Kind of makes sense, at least for Southeast Missouri, where we are more likely to have rainy days.

John

Here in Wisconsin we receive very little rain during sugar season, usually its snow. Anyways, either is minimal other than mid April last year when we got 30" snow in a day. If its that cold that its snowing, there isn't any sap run and I can just dump it. Anything that ends up with the sap just gets boiled off.
I just boil it off.

[Gremlin]

I am using the same spiles/spouts with blue bags without any problems. I also use the homemade pvc holders like others have mentioned.
For covers I use the 12 ounce red Folgers coffee containers. I cut a slot so it fits down over the spile and securely on the PVC holder. Been doing it that way for a few years now.