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Thread: Replacing taps

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    mansfield pa
    Posts
    21

    Default Replacing taps

    I was wondering what time of year is the best to replace spouts. Should they be changed at the end of the season or wait till fall/winter to change them out.
    16x24 sap house
    3x12 G.H.Grimm raised flue
    2500 taps 500 on buckets
    30x34 sap house
    3x12 leader max revolution
    1000 gph Springtech Ro

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2009
    Location
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Center, Underhill Ctr, VT
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    6,391

    Default

    There is currently no research on this subject. We are nearing the end of a study examining the timing of putting spouts on in the fall, mid-winter, or during tapping, however we will not know the results for at least a few more weeks.

    Lacking any data, I would suggest it would be best if they were not put in before the temperature started to get cold in the fall to avoid excess contamination.
    Dr. Tim Perkins
    UVM Proctor Maple Research Ctr
    http://www.uvm.edu/~pmrc
    https://mapleresearch.org
    Timothy.Perkins@uvm.edu

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    mansfield pa
    Posts
    21

    Default

    Ok thank you. I would be very interested in seeing the data you have come up with on this topic. Also would it be a problem to cut old spouts off when pulling them after season and letting the drops be open till fall/winter when putting new spouts on.
    16x24 sap house
    3x12 G.H.Grimm raised flue
    2500 taps 500 on buckets
    30x34 sap house
    3x12 leader max revolution
    1000 gph Springtech Ro

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Apr 2014
    Location
    Wakefield,New Hampshire
    Posts
    504

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by wilson maple View Post
    Also would it be a problem to cut old spouts off when pulling them after season and letting the drops be open till fall/winter when putting new spouts on.
    I've tried that and ended up with all sorts of little bugs and nests inside my tubing which eventually clogged a lot of my lines and fittings. You're better off keeping them plugged once they dry out then replace the following season.
    6th season solo sugar maker in a young sugar bush of mostly red maples
    320 taps
    2x6 self built arch, Flat pans w/ dividers
    New 12x16 sugar house
    CDL hobby 250 RO

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Canaan NH
    Posts
    373

    Default

    With the CV2 spouts, I cut them off when I pull the taps, flip them around, and put the pointy end right back into the drop. This allows me to keep pulling spouts "under vacuum" to try to suck all of the old sap out of the lines.
    Boulder Trail Sugaring
    150 Taps on Vacuum
    Homemade 20"x40" Hybrid Pan - 15 gph
    Homemade Steamaway - 10 gph
    Waterguys single-post RO

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Rock Creek, NC
    Posts
    5,807

    Default

    I cut the old taps off about a month before I tap. I never thought of doing that but jrgagne99 has a good idea and I would do that if this wasn't my last season.
    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!

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Apr 2018
    Location
    NY
    Posts
    17

    Default

    I cut them off when pulling taps and use Plug style T fittings to plug the drop until I replace them when tapping.
    owner/operator, D&B Maple
    Tubing system consultations, installs and repair
    https://www.facebook.com/DB-Maple-110587323841677

    Operator, Fairbanks Maple
    6,000 tap family sugaring operation
    https://www.facebook.com/FairbanksMaple

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