Ratio of mainline to laterals

[Brent]

I paced off the new area I'm trying to tap this year. What do you guys think is the average ratio of lateral line to mainline ?
Got to go get the supplies and I'm hoping to come close one the first trip.
Looks like 500 on vac for us this year if we get the new area up.

[mountainvan]

I just did a 500-600 tap bush. 10 rolls 5/16. 300 ft 1" and 1,700 ft 3/4". Lower part trees are somewhat sparse. upper all maples. about 50 saddles and end fittings also.

[MapleChaser]

I just finished 300 taps used a little over 4 rolls of 5/16 I try to keep my lines as straight as can be use more tubing I know. 7 double saddles / 10 singles

[Thompson's Tree Farm]

Just to keep you confused:rolleyes: I am completing work on an additional 500 tap bush. There will be approximately 7500 feet of mainline and 20 rolls of 5/16. Wish my trees were more concentrated but we deal with what we have. In general, I average between 25 and 30 taps per roll of 5/16. I really stress the 5 or less taps per lateral. Averages are a hard thing to go by. Each of us have a different situation.

[Dave Y]

For planning purposes figure 33 taps per roll of tubing. Up until this years expansion it has worked for me. this year my taps were further apart.

[red maples]

my set-up for this year is for gravity tubing. I ran 1000 ft of 3/4" mainline and I think about 2000+ ft of 5/16 tubing for average a little high for this year of 8-12 taps per lateral. for 242 taps in that bush.

I set things up for gravity but only have to add additional 2 mainline branches to decrease the laterals down to 3-5 per. and I will change out the first 200 ft of 3/4" main to 1" to allow for better flow and more air space for vacuum.

[backyardsugarer]

500 tap bush with heavy concentration of maples. I ran 1,400' of 3/4" mainline and about 18 rolls of 5/16 with the strive for five but don't exceed 10 principle. 54 saddles and 5 - 4 way stars.

Chris

[maple flats]

I think there are too many variables. Guesstimate the main line and decide if any branch lines are in order. Then look at the maple density, picture how far apart the laterals will be and make a close guess. Remember all components, decide on every complication and guesstimate from there. I do this and add a 10% on 5/16. If you are shooting for 500 taps that tells you 5 bags each taps and tees. The rest is too much variable by what the layout and density are. No 2 system designers will use the same amounts even on the same layout. I think you need to walk the woods, get some measurements and layout ideas and draw a plan. If you are a hunter and have a range finder, that is what I use for measurements, much more accurate than pacing on snow covered uneven ground. Get a roll or 2 of plastic flagging tape and mark out main features in your system. You can get it very close. I always add that 10% on the 5/16 and a few on tees and taps. Main is bought by measurement based on coil lengths (100-300-500-1000) and the combinations needed to get the proper total length needed. Remember to calc how many laterals will enter the main and how, try to plan everything but don't make it more complicated than it is.

[Haynes Forest Products]

I would plan on at least 5 trips back for parts. Dont over think it. If you have the manpower and time a tag on all the trees before you start will keep you from missing some over reaching on others and coming up with a better layout. As discussed in other threads ending your latteral at a tapable tree as close to the mainline will keep the tension off the main and on the tree and will help keep your latterals tighter.

NOW DONT COME TAKE PICTURS OF MY WOODS:lol:

[Brent]

I'm afraid I going to be going the way Haynes says. Took a good guess at the lenghts of mainlines, hung them and pretty pleased. I think that was the easy part. Out of about 350 or so new trees for this year, I got a roaring 25 - 30 done over the weekend with laterals. Got enough supplies for a few more days hanging laterals before we see how bad the guestimating was. Besides, driving back and forth is a lot easier than walking back and forth.

Thanks for the pointers guys.

[Brian Ryther]

My county has a great tax map web site. I use it to measure main line and acreage. I can figure with good accuracy 100 taps per acre and 3 rolls of 5/16 per 100 taps.

[Brent]

My county has a great tax map web site. I use it to measure main line and acreage. I can figure with good accuracy 100 taps per acre and 3 rolls of 5/16 per 100 taps.

I`d better warm up the car for a morning run with that ratio.