+ Reply to Thread
Results 1 to 10 of 10

Thread: Making a switch!!!!

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Central Wisconsin
    Posts
    428

    Default Making a switch!!!!

    Too many squirrels by me. I'm making a switch from bags, back to buckets. Should I go 3/16 with a drop into a bucket or 5/16 with a drop into a bucket? Pros/Cons? Thanks.
    Last edited by Trapper2; 03-25-2019 at 07:35 AM.
    1960 - 1970s 70 taps on galvanized buckets with Dad and Grandpa.
    1970s - 1985 Acted crazy!
    1986 - 2005 20-30 buckets.
    2006- 2017 70 buckets and bags
    2017-2019 100 bags and buckets
    2020 Finally retired!!! 75 buckets, 50-75 on tubing. RO Bucket, New 12 X 16 Shack and a 42X42 flat pan.
    2021-Adding another 125 taps along with a second RO bucket.
    2022- Shooting for 350 taps, with 100 on lines.
    Lots of Family and Friends and dogs named Skyy and Nessy!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Fulton, NY
    Posts
    1,374

    Default

    I say 5/16. The short length you have isn't going to create any vacuum,hence no benefit. I'd be using galvanized buckets if it was me. Don't think you can beat them for production. Collect often to keep lead a non issue
    Tim Whitens
    Willow Creek Farm
    Fulton, NY

    3000 on vacuum, 3hp 3ph Busch pump, 2567 Gast
    30X8 Leader oil-fired evap. w/ steamaway
    Airablo 1000 RO
    6 Alpacas

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    Middlesex, Vermont
    Posts
    320

    Default

    Trapper,
    I've been having great luck with a small hybrid system. I pre-assembled some double drops (2 taps leading into a T fitting). I cut my drops 2' long so I've got 4' of wiggle room. This allows me to use this setup with the larger trees I'm tapping. I then run the line into the lid of a 5 gallon bucket. Because of trees being close enough, I'm able to 2-6 taps into one 5 gallon bucket. Really an efficient set up. The trees aren't quite running hard yet in my location but when they do I'll have to be good about emptying the bucket as that many taps will quickly over flow a 5 gallon capacity. But I'm thrilled with the set up. Just bring an empty bucket with me when we gather and simply lift the lid pull out and replace. I'll add pics soon.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Central Wisconsin
    Posts
    428

    Default

    When placing drops in the buckets do you need to keep the drop close to the lid in the bucket? I realize if you put a garden house in a bucket the bucket will fill because of the water pressure but I’m not so sure on dripping sap.
    1960 - 1970s 70 taps on galvanized buckets with Dad and Grandpa.
    1970s - 1985 Acted crazy!
    1986 - 2005 20-30 buckets.
    2006- 2017 70 buckets and bags
    2017-2019 100 bags and buckets
    2020 Finally retired!!! 75 buckets, 50-75 on tubing. RO Bucket, New 12 X 16 Shack and a 42X42 flat pan.
    2021-Adding another 125 taps along with a second RO bucket.
    2022- Shooting for 350 taps, with 100 on lines.
    Lots of Family and Friends and dogs named Skyy and Nessy!

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2018
    Location
    Merrill, Wisconsin
    Posts
    69

    Default

    I use 5/16th taps and hoses to my buckets. I have a hole drilled on the side between the rims so you do not get any rain water leaking in. It seems like there is usually couple inches sap in the lines when I collect but does not seem to effect the flow. I have had buckets full over the hose before, the hole is drilled to be tight to try to stop any from leaking out. I even had a bucket fall over last year and was full and the hose stayed attached so no leaking from the hole.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    Middlesex, Vermont
    Posts
    320

    Default

    Yes I try to keep them in the bucket only a couple of inches. Because of the snow we had here in VT I shoveled out where I placed my buckets because of melting and issues with hose length. I found that with a larger drill bit set I was able to find a perfect but that matched the OD of 5/16” line and allows minimal of any rain water/melting snow to enter the bucket. Very efficient way of tapping multiple trees and I lay needing to check one bucket.





    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
    Mead Maple "It's for the kids..."
    Paul Cerminara
    2019 - First season ever
    -Goal: 3 gallons
    -Season Total: 7.5 gallons - pulled taps after running out of firewood and time
    2020
    Built 2'x8' Oil Fired with Thor drop flue pans
    -Goal: 20 gallons
    -Season Total: 55 gallons

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Ashtabula County, Ohio
    Posts
    1,792

    Default

    Trapper2 I know how you feel about the squirrels. Back before I switched to all tubing on vac, I put out a couple hundred bags. On two separate occasions, red squirrels chewed the corners of almost every single bag in a day.
    1000 taps on vac down to 100+ buckets 99% sugars
    2x5 SL Hi-Output Raised Flue Corsair evaporator
    SL Short bank press with CDL diaphragm pump
    Leader Micro 1 RO for 2024
    Constantly changing
    2010:36 gal 2011:126 gal 2012:81 gal 2013:248 gal 2014: 329.5 gal 2015:305 gal 2016:316 gal 2017:258 gal 2018:147 gal 2019:91 gal 2020:30 gal 2021:30 gal 2023:50 gal Total since 2010: 2047.5 gal
    Tapping the same trees my great, great and great grandfathers tapped.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
    Location
    Central Wisconsin
    Posts
    428

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by heus View Post
    Trapper2 I know how you feel about the squirrels. Back before I switched to all tubing on vac, I put out a couple hundred bags. On two separate occasions, red squirrels chewed the corners of almost every single bag in a day.
    IMG_9578.jpg
    Now there's 1 working on top of the bag and 1 on the bottom. ( I hate my camera) HaHa. I had 5-6 damaged out of 50 the other day while I was cooking. 12% loss is not acceptable especially when I live 1.5 hours away from the woods.
    1960 - 1970s 70 taps on galvanized buckets with Dad and Grandpa.
    1970s - 1985 Acted crazy!
    1986 - 2005 20-30 buckets.
    2006- 2017 70 buckets and bags
    2017-2019 100 bags and buckets
    2020 Finally retired!!! 75 buckets, 50-75 on tubing. RO Bucket, New 12 X 16 Shack and a 42X42 flat pan.
    2021-Adding another 125 taps along with a second RO bucket.
    2022- Shooting for 350 taps, with 100 on lines.
    Lots of Family and Friends and dogs named Skyy and Nessy!

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Louisville, Kentucky
    Posts
    215

    Default

    I've had the same problem with my bags and squirrels. I'm contemplating going with 3/16 drop into a bucket next year. I have a thread going over in the Tubing section asking if there are other advantages to 3/16 tubing - vacuum and taphole viability. So far, it looks like vacuum generated by 3/16 into a bucket is minimal at best, but I'm hoping the almost closed system with 3/16 tubing will extend the season. I don't think you would get this benefit with 5/16 tubing as the tube would remain open to the air rather than filling with sap.
    Dave Barker
    2014 30 taps, steam tray pans
    2015 ~100 taps, in conjunction with University of Louisville
    2x5 Smoky Lake hybrid pan
    2022 150 taps

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    Middlesex, Vermont
    Posts
    320

    Default

    Dave,
    I think you're right. From what I've read there is no noticeable advantage for 5/16" vs 3/16" in drops to buckets because there's not enough gravity to support a vacuum. Dr. Tim noted in one thread (don't have the link on hand) that the higher you tap in the tree there is a loss on pressure from the tree, using up whatever gravity you gained from the drop itself. So at the end of the day, a drop line into a bucket ends up being equal to a traditional bucket/spile. The advantage I see is cleaner sap (no debris) and easier to consolidate into one vessel. If you have large trees or several close together, you can group them into one bucket for several. I have up to 8 in one bucket and makes it very convenient for gathering. In regards to the closed loop system to extend the season I'll leave to the experts. But I think there's an advantage in this set up vs. open air bucket/spile because there's way less air flow reaching the hole.

+ Reply to Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts