Is there a time table for when you should change main lines?
Changing main line
Is there a time table for when you should change main lines?
110 taps W.F Mason 2x3 and two turkey friers for finishing
2011 expanding to a Mason 2x4 with a blower increasing taps to about 200
2011 Hurricane Irene rips thru my small sugar bush cost me to lose 20% of taps
2014 I have reworked my lines for 2014
32 taps on 5/16 line with check valves
57 taps on 3/16 line with check valves
55 buckets with total tapped trees of 144
I know people who have used the same mainline since the 70s and people who change them every 10-15 years. Probably a question for Dr. Tim.
Remember to keep on ticking while the sap is dripping.
2016- 50 buckets. Made 4 gallons.
2022- 3750 taps + Smartrek! Made 1300 gallons.
2023- 3750 taps after removing a pump house and connected two woods. Made 800 gallons.
My oldest mainline is 14 years old. I've changed out a couple of the older ones and have rerouted others to add more taps or lateral mains. I don't think there is a definite answer to your question. I do what's necessary to get more sap.
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!
My oldest is likely 16 years old. I also have not seen a recommended change schedule for mainlines, laterals I've heard 15 years and drops every 3 or 4 years.
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.
So is the consensus to change a mainline if it has suffered too much damage from trees, rerouting, or other changes in your sugar bush? Otherwise seem like most haven't at least to this point
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Last edited by Mead Maple; 04-23-2019 at 06:15 AM.
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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