Need help - tubing system for my sugarbush

[GWebb]

Need some suggestions on what tubing to use for my small sugarbush. Last year I had 14 taps on 3/16" line all merging to a ditchline collection point (7 along a 200' long x 30' drop, 4 from a 40' long x 12' drop and 4 from a 30' long x 8' drop). This worked out pretty good last year, but had to pump sap up a 200 ft hill to get it out of the woods. This year, I want to extend this ditch line collection point to a road about 300 ft away on about a 3 degree downward slope (300' x 15' elevation drop). I am also wanting to tap another 15 trees along the way.

Any recommendations on what tubing to use for the extension: continue with all 3/16" tubing? switch to 5/16" for the 300 ft mainline extension, with 3/16" for the 15 new trees along the 300 ft extension? Any other way? I don't have electric for vacuum so need to rely on elevation drop. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance. Gwebb

[Pdiamond]

How many total taps are you looking at putting on the one line?

[DMF]

I used a lunchbox pump to pump from my low points to the road. I used 5/16 to go from the pump to the collection tanks. I have 3/16 lines feeding the pumps; around 100 taps per pump.

[maple flats]

If it's all downhill, there are at least 3 maybe more options.
To remain pumpless, you could extend each of the 3/16 lines to the destination, likely fewest issues. Choice 2, run all of the 3/16 into a 1/2" mainline, avoid dips, gravity will carry it to the destination, no pump. Or run all into a manifold and run a battery powered (12V) diaphragm pump. I suggest you price all 3 choices and then decide. You may need to extend the 3/16 to the manifold and pump location because of the limited choices for fittings into a 1/2" mainline if going that route, or likely a diaphragm pump on a battery can handle it all.

[therealtreehugger]

I have about 45 taps on laterals, from one to 10 taps per lateral, leading to a 3/4 inch mainline. All this leads right to my sugar shack. I would recommend going with whichever option makes collections easier. A little more expense is worth not having as much hassle in the middle of maple season.

[bmbmkr]

3/16 shines when you have some drop after the last tap. 25-30' is optimal. Any flat run after the last tap, friction resistance is goin to cancel out vacuum very quickly. Shurflo is the way to go. $79 pump, $100 battery, you can pull sap uphill, then push it uphill even further. Use at least 5/16 for the output line, sap will ride the air bubble and not build head pressure that cancels out the vacuum. You will get more sap per tap. Add 200-300 watts of solar and you don't have to charge your battery every two days, it'll pay for itself quick. Good to see another sugar maker in KY. We're in OH, just across the river from Ashland, we have some good friends in the Kentucky Maple Syrup Association.

[maple flats]

I would not suggest any 3/16 laterals for less than 10-15 taps, 20-25 is best. 3/16 laterals are rated for up to 37 taps according to an article I read by Tim Wilmot but that was back when 3/16 was recently introduced. I actually had one line, with about 50-60' of drop that had 44 taps and it appeared to do very well, but I was told I'd get more sap if I split it into 2 laterals.

[DrTimPerkins]

Try the resources at: https://mapleresearch.org/search/?_sf_s=3%2F16 and also the section "Sap Collection" chapter (the part on 3/16" Tubing) of the Third Edition of the North American Maple Syrup Producers Manual.

[GWebb]

Thanks all for all the great information on tubing variations:. Looking for a good season here in north central KY. Bought a new 2x4 Bagerland divided pan - looking forward to using it.