3/16" line disconnects for tractor paths

[trevor47smith]

Howdy,

Very new to the line aspect and just tapped 45 trees with 3/16" line gravity setup with about 25' of drop. The 1 run the gauge went up to 18 which figure was top shelf for the setup. Now to the point :) for me to continue replacing my 200 buckets I need to cross a few of my bush trails...

One looking for what others have done or do to have an option to pass lines using disconnects and also to ensure when leaving in the bush you can still move around.

For the 3/16" lines I found these on Amazon. Brough them to setup vacuum gauge to use on my 3 lines but thought maybe they would work. Also interested in what peeps do with their mains.

https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0B6HCBB5P?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

[buckeye gold]

Those look good. I have 3/16 tubing crossing three places on my woods roads. All three are down grade a ways from the top tap. I just run my line up a tree 8 feet across the raod and down another tree. The sap will flow up and over these lifts if you have at least 10-15 feet of rise above them. That way I just drive under them. I never checked how much vaccum I lose, but I haven't seen any less sap

[maple flats]

I agree with buckeye, while its not an ideal set-up, it would be better than putting disconnects in the system.

[trevor47smith]

Hi All

Really appreciate the feedback. One item that causes me heart burn is my main drop away from the location in question but going up an over did not occur to me. Still lot to learn with these line things. Might try a disconnect too if I can this year

If there are any others that have feedback please chime in :)

[DRoseum]

I have had really good luck using these fittings on 3/16 tubing.
https://www.freshwatersystems.com/products/dmfit-stem-barb-straight-connector-1-4-od-stem-x-1-4-id-barb

I use them to connect to my vacuum pump manifold using standard 1/4 push-fit (john guest style) connectors. I have also used these where I need to be able to disconnect a small branch in my tubing for 2 sets of 4 trees near the top of a line at the end of the season to make coiling it up easier. You just don't want these under tension. Slip hollow braided rope over the lines and use that to draw the two ends tight (to each other, creating slack at the connection, or via anchoring to a tree).

I have also used 5/16" push fit connectors with great success to join 3/16 semi rigid tubing directly. Again, you don't want this under tension amd would use the braided rope to pull tight and create slack in the tubing line at the connection.

https://www.freshwatersystems.com/products/dmfit-union-connector-5-16-push-in

https://www.freshwatersystems.com/products/john-guest-union-connector-5-16