This is last years manifold, but same idea to pull sap from collection barrel if needed. Manifold-3.jpg
Three taps needed minimum.
First black tap closest to mainline (black poly), that allows you to shut off line to the bush.
The second black tap is right in front of the intake of the pump. Close off that tap and open both other taps you are on gravity, no pump needed.
The fun part now.......with the bush tap open and the intake tap open, ever so slightly, just a smidge, open the gravity line tap,,,,It will suck from your collection barrel, just allow a tiny tiny bit of sap to enter from collection barrel. This will make the pump happy and pull stronger in the mainline. Fine tune the handle for the perfect sap/air ratio.
There is no reason to grab sap from collection barrel is sap is running good. I only suck sap from collection barrel to avoid pump from long dry running times,, slow sap times.
Hope that makes sense.
2011- 35 taps, ,,,milk juggs and buckets-propane turkey fryer !!
2012 -75 taps,,,,, 40 on tubing into buckets, and 35 buckets - 3nd hand Homemade arch, brutal.
2013- Just over 115 taps and still adding more.
2014, new SS flat pan and new arch built, guessing 75-100 taps this year.
2015, 50 taps on Shurflo pump.
2016- Getting a line across my creek this year.
2017-took a year off, Jamaica was fun !
2018- 45 trees tapped, keeping it fun !