Running longer laterals or mainline?

[ADK_XJ]

Hey all, I've upped my (3/16) tubing game a bit over this season and with that comes the need to transport the additional sap from the current collection point I have back in the woods. If I wanted to move my collection point downhill further and across a creek, would I be better served to run another 100 feet of 3/16 for each line and achieve the additional vacuum or put my lines into a star-fitting (or a saddle) on a mainline that runs that remaining 100 feet to the new collection point across the creek?

We're very fortunate to have some significant slope down from one of the main stands of sugar maples in our woods but my runs all end at a location currently that is also either a very long, winding drive through the woods by UTV or else directly across what is a very muddy bog / creek this time of year then immediately up a wet, slippery slope.

I came pretty **** close to tipping over my UTV on one trip down that slope last week and that was WITHOUT a load of sap...

[Radnagel]

This would all depend on how much drop you have now on your current system. And also how much of drop would you be gaining by running individual 3/16th's line any further. The one thing about 3/16th's is if you have 40ft of drop from your tank to your last tap. Then yes the last tap would have 27 or 28 inches of mercury depending on your evaluation above sea-level. However if your closest tap to the tank only has 17ft of drop you may only be looking at 15 Hg. So if you continue to have drop then yes it would be worth it to run individual lines to gain vacuum on the lower taps. However if it doesn't then the mainline would be the way to go along with maybe a shurflow set-up or some type of vacuum set-up to help increase the vacuum levels in the lower taps. And also to move your collection point to an area with easier access.

[ADK_XJ]

This would all depend on how much drop you have now on your current system. And also how much of drop would you be gaining by running individual 3/16th's line any further. The one thing about 3/16th's is if you have 40ft of drop from your tank to your last tap. Then yes the last tap would have 27 or 28 inches of mercury depending on your evaluation above sea-level. However if your closest tap to the tank only has 17ft of drop you may only be looking at 15 Hg. So if you continue to have drop then yes it would be worth it to run individual lines to gain vacuum on the lower taps. However if it doesn't then the mainline would be the way to go along with maybe a shurflow set-up or some type of vacuum set-up to help increase the vacuum levels in the lower taps. And also to move your collection point to an area with easier access.

Thanks, all good points - the bulk of taps on the line are well above the (current) low- and collection-point but there are enough taps along the way down that it would probably make sense to go ahead and extend the lines. It also looks far more economical to run extended 3/16" for each line vs. even just a single mainline for the set and all the necessary fitting and support wires and such.

[DrTimPerkins]

What is the slope from where the 3/16" currently ends to where you want it to end? 3/16" shouldn't be used on flat ground for much distance as the friction is too high.

[ADK_XJ]

What is the slope from where the 3/16" currently ends to where you want it to end? 3/16" shouldn't be used on flat ground for much distance as the friction is too high.

It is mostly straight downhill, there is a bit of a bog I would have to cross at the end but that would be coming from above (20' or so) so I think I'd be able to keep the tubing sloped.

I remember seeing somewhere that the more run of tubing you have "downill" of the taps the better since that is "pulling" the sap harder, is that true?

[DrTimPerkins]

If it is mostly downhill, continue with 3/16" line. This will result in good vacuum (as long as you keep in leak-free). Don't transition to mainline.

The more downhill you have before you reach the taps the better...up to the maximum vacuum achievable at your site given your elevation and tightness of system.

https://mapleresearch.org/pub/slope2018-2/

[ADK_XJ]

If it is mostly downhill, continue with 3/16" line. This will result in good vacuum (as long as you keep in leak-free). Don't transition to mainline.

The more downhill you have before you reach the taps the better...up to the maximum vacuum achievable at your site given your elevation and tightness of system.

https://mapleresearch.org/pub/slope2018-2/

Cool, makes sense - very clear article, too. Appreciate it!