payback on tubing

[Valley View Sugarhouse]

I was wondering what the payback was on adding tubing, ie main tanks laterals and all??? I have 6000 more taps I can add where I am and wondering when I can do it time frame wise... I will post some pics of this tomorrow..

Thanks
Andy

[gmcooper]

Andy,

Those extra 6000 taps probably aren't worth tapping, just send those trees to me and I'll give them a nice retirement home! LOL
For about $80,000 you could have a nice setup that would bring in maybe $40,000 in syrup. Course that 4x10 might need a little help.
Just my thoughts
Mark

[Valley View Sugarhouse]

lol gm if I had to bring them to maine they probabley would only keep you warm... If you need trees you are in the wrong state I could probabley have 25000 taps by next year within 10 miles of home if I wanted them...

[jdj]

Sure wish trees were in an over abundance where I live. Loggers have killed most sugarbushes around me!!

[Dave Y]

Valley veiw,
Take 7grand each year for the next six and add 1000 taps each year. you will be on you way and most of it will be paid for also. Of course you will need a Ro and maybe a new evaporator. And more help. But that comes with the territory.

[royalmaple]

Problem is the infrastructure you need. Unless you can get them on the same pump and releaser. Your talking big expense just to get one tap in a tree. Gotta have all the basics then the tubing is the cheap part.

I wouldn't let it stop me though. I bet in a couple of years you'd have it paid back with high vacuum and decent crop. Then you are into bonus $$.

[VtSugarhouse]

Andy,
I think you can all you main lines, laterals with new drops for about $3.00 each.
I know I am buying 5/16 spouts with a 30" drop with a "T" all assembled for 74 cents each. Lateral line will run you anywhere from $32.00 to $42.00 a roll depending on what you purchase. (500 ft roll) Main line will run you about .10 to .15 a foot depending on the size of line you use. Now you have wire and ties. If you are using 12 1/2 guage and you purchase this from a fence co. and buy it right with all the accessories. You should be about $3.00 a tap.
This is what it is costing me. I plan on a complete payback of the tubing installation in one year.
If you hire this done it will take much longer and cost you a lot more.

[royalmaple]

Where are you getting latteral line for 32.00-42.00?


I don't doubt you, I need some at that price.

[VtSugarhouse]

Matt,
I purchase all my equipment in Canada. The maple suppliers here in the states are just too high for my wallet.
Since we have a free trade agreement the most you will pay coming back into the states is a $5.00 truckers fee.
As a matter of fact I was just in Canada this last week and purchased many items like a CDL mechanical 4,000 tap sap extractor for under $1,000. The same co. here in the states wants $1,365.00 for the same unit.
I find that it is worth the drive.

[gmcooper]

VTsugarhouse,
How in the world are you getting tubing for $32-42 per roll in Canada. Last time I checked it was more money in Canada than US? At that price I would drive to Canada. I think on trader some of the producers in Ont. were paying $60-80 per roll.
Mark

[jemsklein]

well my local guy has it for $68 per roll and Atkinson is selling it for $72a roll so please tell me wear you get it from in canada

[maplecrest]

the pay back will be over the long term depreciation schedule. once you cut the band off a roll that is totally depreciated in that years taxes. once you roll it out it is gone.so keep good records and make it work on your schedule F.the savings will be over long term tax returns

[VtSugarhouse]

Like I said I was in Canada this last week. The company is having its first price increase in 4 years. They make the tubing so they can control the cost.
As for $60.00 to $80.00 a roll that is above retail pricing here in the states.
IPL 15 year tubing full retail is only $69.65 and the 4 season blue 5 year tubing is 46.75 full retail. You guys need to do some good old price dickering.
I just took those prices out of a current 2008 maple supplier catalogue.

[Valley View Sugarhouse]

where in Corinth are you?? The bush I tap in in west Topsham..

[VtSugarhouse]

I am on Center Rd in Corinth. We have about 200 acres of land and about 85% all woods. There has been a sugar house here on the property for the last 100 plus years. My brother and I estimate we have about 10,000 tapable trees which we do not tap all of them now.
Maybe someday. Seems like our day job cuts into our nite and weekend hobby.

[OGDENS SUGAR BUSH]

you quote 32/42 then say 46/79 so what is it?? 69/80?

[VtSugarhouse]

the latter was retail pricing from the book ....you figure it out!

[brookledge]

I'd say if you already have the infastructure in place like the tanks,releasers,and vacuum pumps then adding more mainline and taps you should get payback in 1 yr or less.
I'm almost done adding about 60% more taps bringing me from 710 to somewhere around 1140.(I haven't counted all of them yet) Iv'e put out wet line/dry line so spent more $ on mainline but with just mainline,lateral line and fittings I'm around 2,850 so that is over $6.50 per tap. If I get .33 gal of syrup per tap(last 3 yr average is .37) then thats 142 gal of syrup and selling it at $2.00/lb that would be $3,124 so it would pay for it's self in less than a year.
Now if I needed a vacuum pump,releaser, and tanks then that would definately add another year or so before breaking even.
Keith

[jdj]

The trucker user fee at the United States border is now $10.75, not $5. Just figured I would add this so no one has any surprises when they purchase maple supplies in Canada.

[Toby]

Hey VT Sugarhouse, where in canada do you go? I live near the border, so it might be worth a trip for me!

Nice area down around you....some of my college buddies and i get together down there every spring in the "Willie Hill" area

[ennismaple]

VTsugarhouse,
How in the world are you getting tubing for $32-42 per roll in Canada. Last time I checked it was more money in Canada than US? At that price I would drive to Canada. I think on trader some of the producers in Ont. were paying $60-80 per roll.
Mark

I think we paid a buck or two under $60 per roll for the 30 rolls of 15-year 4-seasons we bought.

I generally figure that adding 5/16" tubing and droplines to an existing system will pay back in a year or less. The pump, tanks, releaser etc... we bought for our new bush will be about a 5-year payback.

[VtSugarhouse]

I did just check today in Canada and they have had there first price increase in 3-4 years.
I was just quoted in American dollars $47.70 and that is with the American dollar being less than the Canadian.
It does pay to shop and I do it all the time. Naturally when the American dollar is stronger you can purchase at a better price.
It is something like the stock market when it comes to the exchange rate. Buy when the dollar is strong and dont buy when the dollar is weak.

That is what I do.

[fred]

ennis is right. a more realistic look is 7-10 dollars a tap and a 5 year payback. ive set up for myself as well as custom for people in oh, pa, and mi. you can cut some corners but you also get what you pay for. ive seen some people step over dollars to pick up quarters