I have a new-to-me F350 for hauling sap. Should I engage the Tow/Haul button on the gear shift when I'm hauling a load of sap? Is it best of inclines or declines?
Tow/Haul Button
I have a new-to-me F350 for hauling sap. Should I engage the Tow/Haul button on the gear shift when I'm hauling a load of sap? Is it best of inclines or declines?
Woodville Maples
www.woodvillemaples.com
www.facebook.com/woodvillemaples
Around 300 taps on tubing, 25+ on buckets if I put them out
Mix of natural and mechanical vac, S3 Controller from Mountain Maple
2x6 W.F. Mason with Phaneuf pans
Deer Run 250 RO
Ford F350
6+ hives of bees (if they make it through the winters)
Keeping the day job until I can start living the dream.
I use mine only for breaking. It saves the truck's brakes. On declines it will stop the truck from gaining too much speed. If you jab the brakes quickly it will downshift the trans and keep you from gaining speed. It works at the 10mph increments. With my 6.8l motor I don't need the higher shift points for climbing hills.
Dave C.
2011 - 130 Taps
2017 - 300 Taps (all gravity)
2x8 Leader Revolution Evaporator
12x18 Sugarhouse
2021 - 350 taps
Leader Micro2 RO
Leader Clear Filter press
2023 - 390 Taps
I use it anytime I haul a load of sap, it's just easier on the tranny. My haul has hills, both up and down, both ways after loading. I still climb about just 400' after loading to get to my turnaround, then I go down 1400-1500' net to the sugarhouse with some rolling hills in between.. When I get to the steepest hill, I shift into M and run the tranny manually, downshifting enough to save the brakes. My downhill auto shift does not work anymore. On that steepest hill, there is a sharp turn about half way down and a stop at the bottom (with a creek across from that stop, years ago a milk tanker found the creek).
Dave Klish, I recently ordered a 2x6 wood fired evaporator from A&A Sheet Metal which I will be converting to oil fired
Now have solar, 2x6 finish pan, 5 bank 7x7 filter press, large water jacketed bottler, and tankless water heater.
Recently bought another Gingerich RO, this one was a 125, but a second membrane was added thus is a 250, like I had.
After running a 2x3, a 2x6, 3x8 tapping from 79 taps up to 1320 all woodfired, now I'm going to a 2x6 oil fired and a 200-425 taps.
I don't haul sap with my truck but if I did I would probably need to use it. It's recommended that you use it anytime that you exceed 75% of your max payload or trailer weight or anytime that your transmission will need to do a lot of shifting. A tank of sap weighs up pretty fast. I could exceed the payload on my 1/2 ton truck with a full 210 gallon tank in the back.
Russ
"Red Roof Maples" Where the term "boiling soda" was first introduced to the maple world!
1930 Ford Model AA Doodlebug tractor
A couple of Honda 4 wheelers
Four chainsaws and no chickens!
*Licensed 310S Auto Mechanic*
The tow/haul button should be used anytime when hauling more than a 'normal' load.
Using tow mode tells the computer that you are, surprise, towing a heavy load. This will set the transmission control module - TCM - to use a different set of shift points. It will also engage extra clutches/bands within the transmission for extra holding power on the planetary gear set. Engine braking will be utilized.
Uphill and downhill performance will be noticeable.
When tow mode is used, Adaptive Learning Strategies are not used, so normal driving performance will not be affected.
If you think it might be necessary - then do it.
Ken & Sherry
Williston, VT
16x34 Sugarhouse
1,500 taps on high vacuum, Electric Releaser & CDL Sap Lifter
Wood-Fired Leader 30"x10' Vortex Arch & Max Raised Flue with Rev Syrup Pan & CDL1200 RO
https://www.facebook.com/pumpkinhillmaple/
I have been using my tow/ haul with a load of sap most of the time. Seems more in control! F250 with 325 leg tank.
Regards,
Chris
Casbohm Maple and Honey
625 roadside taps + Neighbors bring some sap too!
3x10 King, WRU, AOF and AUF
12" SIRO Filter Press.
2015 Ford F250 PSD sap hauler
One Golden named Maggie, Norwegian Forest Cat named Lucy
Too many Cub Cadets
Ford Jubilee and several Allis WD's, and IH tractors
1932 Ford AAB ton and a half, dump truck
www.mapleandhoney.com
I've looked all over my 1986 F-350, standard transmissioned sap hauler and I can't find the "Tow/Haul" button anywhere!
The guy's I know who do have that button like it a lot and use it often.
2014 Upgrades!: 24x40 sugarhouse & 30"x10' Lapierre welded pans, wood fired w/ forced draft, homemade hood & preheater
400 taps- half on gravity 5/16, half on gravity 3/16
Airablo R.O. machine - in the house basement!
Ford F-350 4x4 sap gatherer
An assortment of barrels, cage tanks & bulk tanks- with one operational for cooling/holding concentrate
And a few puzzled neighbors...
http://s606.photobucket.com/albums/t...uckethead1920/
Originally Posted by Bucket Head
Yours comes with an extra pedal, what more could you want?!
Ok, I'm glad I asked! Thanks for the responses. Now, I need a load of sap to try it out.
Woodville Maples
www.woodvillemaples.com
www.facebook.com/woodvillemaples
Around 300 taps on tubing, 25+ on buckets if I put them out
Mix of natural and mechanical vac, S3 Controller from Mountain Maple
2x6 W.F. Mason with Phaneuf pans
Deer Run 250 RO
Ford F350
6+ hives of bees (if they make it through the winters)
Keeping the day job until I can start living the dream.
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