Failing fittings
Hey all,
This year I have had way too many Leader union fittings fail. The T fittings are fine. After a night freeze, I have to almost every morning replace one blown apart union fitting connection. Normal amount of tension on the tubing. All 3/16 tubing What gives?
Camp Wokanda
Peoria Park District
2023 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, sap storage shack w/ 1100 gallon tank - 123 gallons
2022 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, homemade vac filter & water jacket canner - 104 gallons
2021 - 215 on 3/16 shurflo, added 2nd membrane to RO - 78 gallons
2020 - 210 on 3/16 shurflo, upgraded hp pump on RO - 66 gallons
2019 - 150 on 3/16 shurflo, Deer Run 125 dolly RO - 73 gallons
2018 - 120 on 3/16 shurflo, 2x6 raised flue w/hood, homemade arch w/ AUF & AOF - 34.5 gallons
Are there 1 or 2 barbs on the fittings?
Last edited by Ultimatetreehugger; 02-17-2020 at 08:10 PM.
Remember to keep on ticking while the sap is dripping.
2016- 50 buckets. Made 4 gallons.
2022- 3750 taps + Smartrek! Made 1300 gallons.
2023- 3750 taps after removing a pump house and connected two woods. Made 800 gallons.
2024- 3750 taps 1384 made.
You mean straight connectors? Never have been a fan of leader tubing, try CDL or d And g. Go with semi rigid not the rigid. Also leader connectors are all garbage, get yourself some maxflow fitting from CDL.
18x30 sugarshack
5100 taps high vac
3x10 inferno with steampan
7'' wes fab filter press
10'' cdl air filter press
D&G 3 post reverse osmosis w/recirculation
Sounds like a problem all right, I would call them and ask some questions. Might be interesting answers??? We will be waiting to hear what they say too.
Regards,
Chris
Casbohm Maple and Honey
625 roadside taps + Neighbors bring some sap too!
3x10 King, WRU, AOF and AUF
12" SIRO Filter Press.
2015 Ford F250 PSD sap hauler
One Golden named Maggie, Norwegian Forest Cat named Lucy
Too many Cub Cadets
Ford Jubilee and several Allis WD's, and IH tractors
1932 Ford AAB ton and a half, dump truck
www.mapleandhoney.com
I second the cdl tubing and fittings. Never had a problem with any of them. That's all I use. Tried leader the first year and had several issues.
Jake
smoky lake 2x6 drop flue SSR on homemade arch
235 taps on 2 gast 1550s and lappiere releasers
24x12 sugar house
2019 Kubota L2501 work horse
I had problems with leader 3/16 fittings also. I think it is because they only have 1 barb on them. I switched to CDL and have had no problems since.
2x3 Patrick Phaneuf Divided Pan
Homemade arch
RB20 RO Bucket
121 taps total
Sugar Shack in future
Wife into it as much as me
Also do homebrew
http://s928.photobucket.com/albums/ad121/ZMANSYRUP/
Leader does make a double barbed fitting. Cdl's is still better but it's way better than the single barbed. Leaders double barbed is cheaper than Cdl's as well.
Remember to keep on ticking while the sap is dripping.
2016- 50 buckets. Made 4 gallons.
2022- 3750 taps + Smartrek! Made 1300 gallons.
2023- 3750 taps after removing a pump house and connected two woods. Made 800 gallons.
2024- 3750 taps 1384 made.
The T's will fail also, it's just a matter of time. I had one T come apart the other night after a single digit night. It's gotten to the point anytime after a real cold night like that I better go check because I know something came apart somewhere. I will not be using Leader fittings the next time.....
Noel Good
1998 to 2009: 15 taps on buckets, scavenged fire pit and pans
2010: New 2x4 SS flat pan w/preheater
2015: New to me Lapierre 18x60 raised flue, new shack, new everything!! 59 taps 23.75 gallons
2016: 85 taps 19 gallons
2017: Purchased 2.5 acres and tubed half with 3/16. 145 taps total 49.25 gallons
2018: 200 taps (162 on 3/16ths 38 on buckets) New NextGen RO 63 gallons
2019: 210 taps 73.5 gallons
2023: 210 taps 89.75 gallons
www.wnybass.com
I've used semi-rigid tubing with CDL fittings on 3/16" and not had any issues in the past 4-years.
2025 NH Carlisle Award: #1 Maple Syrup in the State of NH!
200 Taps on 3/16" w/ vac.
4"x40" RO x2
Lapierre Vision 2x6 with Preheater & Autodraw
Post and beam sugar house
Kubota L4701, Kubota BX2380
2 Black Rescue Dogs, 2 Livestock Guardian Dogs, Many Bee Hives, A Flock of Icelandic Chickens
30 Acres of Wooded Bliss
@vikingmadeforge Artist Blacksmithing & Bladesmithing
https://blackdogbeesandmapletrees.com
i don't use 3/16 tubing or fitting... all 5/16 but mostly all my fittings are leader (double barb) and i haven't had any issues with it. most of it is 6-8 years old...
Awfully thankful for an understanding wife!
“The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.”
- Vincent “Vince” Lombardi
Good luck to all!
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