Swapping out spiles
I have a few plastic spiles that lead to ground buckets that just don't seem to be producing. Mostly use stainless steel spikes. I'm thinking about swapping out those plastic spiles for metal ones.
Anyone have any experience pro or con doing this mid season?
2021 - First year: 4 taps; Tapped too late; 4.5 gallons of sap
2022 - 11 taps; 20 gallons of sap
2023 - 23 taps. 3 gallons of syrup; founded TruNorth Maple Co.
2024 - 26 (+10) taps; 4.5 gallons of syrup; added RO filter
Are these trees you have tapped in years past? Just curious if you had something to gauge the production of these trees in question.
Daniel & Eleanor Bliese
Heritage Woods, LLC
SW Michigan
Smoky Lake 2x4 raised flue on Corsair arch
The RO Bucket 80gph Single Post
100 taps on buckets
How long have these been in the tree?
2004 - 2012 2x3 flat pan 25 to 60 taps
2012 2x3 new divided pan w/draw off 55 taps
2018 - didn't boil surgery - bought new evaporator
2019 new SML 2x4 raised flue high output evap. 65 taps
made 17 gal. syrup
2020 - only put out 53 taps - made 16.25 ga.l syrup
2021 - Didn't work out
2022 - 25 taps on bags / 8 taps on 3/16's line - late start
They've been in the tree for about a week. Nothing to really gauge it to except other trees in the area that I tapped using stainless steel. I intend to leave them in a little longer, but was just curious if anyone ever switched out their spiles midway through the season. It's not something I typically see people talking about.
2021 - First year: 4 taps; Tapped too late; 4.5 gallons of sap
2022 - 11 taps; 20 gallons of sap
2023 - 23 taps. 3 gallons of syrup; founded TruNorth Maple Co.
2024 - 26 (+10) taps; 4.5 gallons of syrup; added RO filter
I believe I would leave them alone and use the stainless next year,
2004 - 2012 2x3 flat pan 25 to 60 taps
2012 2x3 new divided pan w/draw off 55 taps
2018 - didn't boil surgery - bought new evaporator
2019 new SML 2x4 raised flue high output evap. 65 taps
made 17 gal. syrup
2020 - only put out 53 taps - made 16.25 ga.l syrup
2021 - Didn't work out
2022 - 25 taps on bags / 8 taps on 3/16's line - late start
I don't think it will make a difference but swap out them out, it shouldn't hurt a thing.
You're on bags so you have nothing to lose...on vacuum it might be a different story trying to get them seated and sealed.
Good luck.
John Allin
14x18 Hemlock Timber Frame Sugar House 2009
Leader 2x6 w/Patriot Raised Flue Pan 2009
Leader Steam Hood 2014 - Clear Filter Press 2015
Leader Revolution Pan and SS Pre-Heater 2016
CDL Hobby RO & Air Tech L25 Hi Vac Pump 2019
06' Gator HPX to collect wood & sap
14' Ski-Doo Tundra for winter work in the woods
Great Family 3 grown kids+spouses and 7 grand kids who like the woods
7th Gen Born in Canada - Raised in Chardon Ohio - Maple Capital of the World..<grin>.
Good advice. Thanks.
2021 - First year: 4 taps; Tapped too late; 4.5 gallons of sap
2022 - 11 taps; 20 gallons of sap
2023 - 23 taps. 3 gallons of syrup; founded TruNorth Maple Co.
2024 - 26 (+10) taps; 4.5 gallons of syrup; added RO filter
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