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Thread: Hydra Vacuum Releaser

  1. #11
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Center, Underhill Ctr, VT
    Posts
    6,390

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    Agree with wdchuck in all respects. Our unit has worked very well. It is hooked to 800+ taps. Our unit is programmed a bit differently than normal -- since we wanted to be able to try it with a lower number of taps than recommended it is programmed to pulse more than normal (so the level goes up and down more than usual, usually it is stable level/flow). Other than that, it just chugs along all the time. We have it running alongside our conventional electric releaser.

    We're trying it because by having several of these (each with a flow meter) we could segregate portions of our bush better to be able to measure sap flow from different sections for comparison purposes. Seems to be working well and it's likely we'll get another 3-5 of them for next season. Dean and Andy at Northwoods LLC have been very easy to work with and accommodating of our many questions and requests.

    Video at https://youtu.be/7Y_u_OuCCEo Line on the right is the wet line, on the left is the dry line

    Hydra1.jpg
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    Last edited by DrTimPerkins; 03-29-2018 at 01:46 PM.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  2. #12
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Location
    Ithaca, NY
    Posts
    9

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    I also installed a Hydra this year, on 700 taps with high vacuum. Has worked great so far. My only issue was the strainer clogging with slugs at the beginning of the season - the horizontal tube was 3/4 full of sap, but the sap & vac did keep flowing. I bought a 2nd strainer so I can easily switch them out and take it up to the house for cleaning.

  3. #13
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    orwell, ohio
    Posts
    44

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    Is there any news on the Hydra releaser. Heard a rumor in my parts they are having issues.
    35 years making syrup.
    President of Ohio maple producers
    4000 taps today...hopefully 5000 soon with some high yields tapped in 10 years?
    Leader Dealer
    Mountain cur for a woods partner

  4. #14
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Center, Underhill Ctr, VT
    Posts
    6,390

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    They decided to close and are no longer producing the releaser. Too bad — I liked it quite a bit.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  5. #15
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Chatham NH
    Posts
    1,308

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    Have to Wonder if someone didn't buy their technology? I thought that they had Patents pending.
    Nate Hutchins
    Nate & Kate's Maple
    2022 1000 taps?
    3x10 Intensofire
    20x36 sugarhouse
    CDL 600gph RO
    A wife and 2 kids.

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