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Thread: Drop Tubes into Buckets

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2017
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    Ontario Canada
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    30

    Default Drop Tubes into Buckets

    I am using 5/16" spiles and drop tubes into 2.5gal buckets. should the drop tubes stop near the top of the bucket? Just wondering when the buckets freeze if its not running until the tubes thaw.

    Thanks for the Help!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    Middlesex, Vermont
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    320

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    Fireguy,
    The lines will freeze before the buckets. I shoot for two inches or so in the lid if I can help it. I also use 5/16 spiles and tubing.



    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

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    588

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Fireguy124 View Post
    I am using 5/16" spiles and drop tubes into 2.5gal buckets. should the drop tubes stop near the top of the bucket? Just wondering when the buckets freeze if its not running until the tubes thaw.

    Thanks for the Help!
    I use the same setup and in my experience it does not seem to be a problem. I’ve had sap flowing into frozen buckets even though the tubing is surrounded by a block of ice. I think perhaps the sugar in the sap melts the ice in the immediate vicinity of the tubing . The the tubing never freezes to the main block of ice.
    60ish taps on buckets
    D&G Sportsman 18x63
    Turbo RB15 RO Bucket

  4. #4
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    Feb 2017
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    Ontario Canada
    Posts
    30

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    I cut them shorter so they are not at the bottom of the bucket just in case. Thanks for all the help! This site is awesome!



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  5. #5
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    St. Marys Pa.
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    246

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    Same set-up I use,He is right on about 2 inches in lid ,I have also had sap run into frozen buckets

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    588

    Default

    I keep my lines long so that I can adjust as the buckets drop as the snow melts. Long lines also give you more options for where to tap on the tree.
    60ish taps on buckets
    D&G Sportsman 18x63
    Turbo RB15 RO Bucket

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2019
    Location
    Middlesex, Vermont
    Posts
    320

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    Quote Originally Posted by ecolbeck View Post
    I keep my lines long so that I can adjust as the buckets drop as the snow melts. Long lines also give you more options for where to tap on the tree.
    I can appreciate this approach, we had so much snow here this year I made sure I shoveled mostly down to bare ground because you would have needed close to three feet of extra hose to accommodate this in most areas. I guess it is more situational. Either way, I enjoy this practice better than traditional buckets as it keeps the product cleaner. Plus we have had a lot of wind this year that have taken many traditional buckets and ripped them off the trees spile and all!


    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

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