Broken taps
Last season I changed from metal 7/16 taps to plastic 5/16 to cause less trauma to the trees. I used these with buckets. Worked great until it came time to pull the taps and some of them were stuck and broke off. Now the stem part is imbedded in the tree. Not good. Any clues on how to prevent this ? Thanks
2020: 317 taps, 2021: 360, 2022: 350 2023: 300, 2024: 230 (getting smarter)
Drop lines and hanging buckets, all hand lugged
2 X 6 raised flue evaporator
7in. Filter press
17 HP Kubota tractor
12 X 16' sugar shack
Sugar and red maples
You likely set the taps too tight. If a plastic tap breaks off, just leave the broken part in the hole, the tree will grow over it better than if you try to dig it out, less harm to the tree.
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.
The hole never grows shut, the tree just grows over it. It is not a big deal to leave the stub in the tree and being plastic it won't harm a saw blade if ever harvested. So don't sweat it.
125-150 taps
Smokey Lakes Full pint Hybrid pan
Modified half pint arch
Air over fire
All 3/16 tubing
Southern Ohio
I too had this issue with a few taps I had set too far. After one broke off I made a tap puller out of a modified flat bar and didn't have any others break removing them this way.
Camp Wokanda
Peoria Park District
2023 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, sap storage shack w/ 1100 gallon tank - 123 gallons
2022 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, homemade vac filter & water jacket canner - 104 gallons
2021 - 215 on 3/16 shurflo, added 2nd membrane to RO - 78 gallons
2020 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, upgraded hp pump on RO - 66 gallons
2019 - 150 on 3/16 shurflo, Deer Run 125 dolly RO - 73 gallons
2018 - 120 on 3/16 shurflo, 2x6 raised flue w/hood, homemade arch w/ AUF & AOF - 34.5 gallons
I have had a few taps break off over the years and just be mad as hell about it . Then one day the light bulb went offwent and got my tapping drill and the rest is history ------ they drill out real easy . you might have to go just a little deeper but not much .
I would think an "easy-out" broken bolt extractor would back it out. And a hole is already there for it's insertion.
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/
Yeah a tapping bit takes them right out. drill in about half way a nd reverse it or just drill it all they way out. I have had a few break and I drilled them out, but a friend of mine just leaves them if they break.
125-150 taps
Smokey Lakes Full pint Hybrid pan
Modified half pint arch
Air over fire
All 3/16 tubing
Southern Ohio
Thanks Dave. I'll lighten up on the tapping mallet next season
2020: 317 taps, 2021: 360, 2022: 350 2023: 300, 2024: 230 (getting smarter)
Drop lines and hanging buckets, all hand lugged
2 X 6 raised flue evaporator
7in. Filter press
17 HP Kubota tractor
12 X 16' sugar shack
Sugar and red maples
Thank you all. Good advice. Kind of late now to drill them out but I will remember that for next season-----
2020: 317 taps, 2021: 360, 2022: 350 2023: 300, 2024: 230 (getting smarter)
Drop lines and hanging buckets, all hand lugged
2 X 6 raised flue evaporator
7in. Filter press
17 HP Kubota tractor
12 X 16' sugar shack
Sugar and red maples
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote