I generally don't hesitate to pull taps with internal leaks. Kink the drop right next to the tap and wrap with electrical tape- done. With my small operation (150 taps) sacrificing 1 tap is a 0.67% hit. But if it improves vacuum by 1 inch, it is a 5% sap gain overall-- a good trade I think.
Boulder Trail Sugaring
150 Taps on Vacuum
Homemade 20"x40" Hybrid Pan - 15 gph
Homemade Steamaway - 10 gph
Waterguys single-post RO
You could always put a bucket on it. Win-win!Originally Posted by jrgagne99
Gabe
2016: Homemade arch from old wood stove; 2 steam tray pans; 6 taps; 1.1 gal
2017: Same setup. 15 taps; 4.5 gal
2018: Same setup. Limited time. 12 taps and short season; 2.2 gal
2019: Very limited time. 7 taps and a short season; 1.8 gals
2020: New Mason 2x3 XL halfway through season; 9 taps 2 gals
2021: Same 2x3, 18 taps, 4.5 gals
2022: 23 taps, 5.9 gals
2023: 23 taps. Added AUF, 13.2 gals
2024: 17 taps, 5.3 gals
All on buckets
Funny I never thought of that. But they're generally too far up in the bush to check often enough to make worthwhile. I will keep that in mind in the future for ones that are close to the gathering tank though. Get back to my roots. :-)
Boulder Trail Sugaring
150 Taps on Vacuum
Homemade 20"x40" Hybrid Pan - 15 gph
Homemade Steamaway - 10 gph
Waterguys single-post RO
I have done the kink with electrical tape.
may your sap be at 3%
Brad
www.willowcreeksugarhouse.com
585 or so on Vacuum, about 35 on buckets/sap sacs
Atlas Copco GVS 25A Rotary Vane vacuum pump
MES horizontal electric releaser
2x6 ss phaneuf Drop flue, Leader woodsaver blower, homemade hood
300gph H2O RO
husquvarna 562 XP
Its Here!!! 2024 season is here get busy!!!
Electrical tape is the fastest way to fix leaks and take taps off line in season. Use a good electrical tape like Scotch 33 or 88 and go back in the off season to make permanent repairs.
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!
Great idea, but I refuse to collect a bucket
I hadn't heard about the kink/tape method, but I need to start using it. I put the drop line back on the tee, but sometimes during the season, they'll pop off...no idea why. Learn something new every day.
Friday's syrup had a different flavor, but I wouldn't consider it an off flavor. Monday's boil definitely had an off flavor, and the pans were boiled off last night. Season's over and vac-vroom is off.
Season sap/syrup totals to follow.
I just started doing the temporary repairs with electrical tape this year working with Theron. With over 12,000 taps fixing every chew or other leak the right way would take too long. You can cover a lot of ground and fix a lot of leaks that will last for the season with a roll of electrical tape and a tap puller.Great idea, but I refuse to collect a bucket
I hadn't heard about the kink/tape method, but I need to start using it. I put the drop line back on the tee, but sometimes during the season, they'll pop off...no idea why. Learn something new every day.
Friday's syrup had a different flavor, but I wouldn't consider it an off flavor. Monday's boil definitely had an off flavor, and the pans were boiled off last night. Season's over and vac-vroom is off.
Season sap/syrup totals to follow.
"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!
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