5/16 on semi flat land. Vac or no vac?
Ok so I'm buying some land and have about 600 taps I'm capable of tapping. It has a creek running thru it but this is Wi, so it's mostly flat. Is there a % slope needed for 5/16 tubing without vac? Can I just add vac later?
This woods will definitely get muddy so I'm wondering if I should just skip the buckets. I have some home made tubing tools i built and have some experience installing 3/16 but 5/16 is pretty new and no experience with mechanical vacuum.
In my lowest spot its semi close to where the sugar shack will be but a little up hill. There is power there so I'm thinking a 2nd pump to go up to the shack eventually.
It's really out of fun thinking this out. I still need to figure out a backup plan for selling extra sap I dont need. I made 50 gallons on a 2 month season before and have added a 2nd cooker about double my original barrel stove and 2nd is 2x4 pan. Both are insulated, bricked and auf. Then while to sell syrup to. I hate the idea of selling in bulk.
2016 7 taps= 1-2 gallons of syrup
2017 135 taps making 17 gallons syrup
2018 75 taps =50 gallons syrup
2019 70 taps making 20 gallons. Single 4x40 RO
2020 bought 40 acres installed 250 tubing taps, 100 bags. 70 gal
2021 500 taps with guzzler. 80 gal syrup + sold sap
2022 600 taps 27 gal sap per tap on guzzler!!! 110 gal + sold sap