Why do you need a slope in your tubing network?
Contrary to what many people think, it is not the vacuum that carries the water from the maple tree to your releaser , but gravity.
Maple water flows into your network of tubing like in a stream. The void is of no use what has increase the flow rate of the sap which comes out of the notch and prevented oxygen from coming into contact with the living tissues of the notch, thus delaying the maple's defense mechanisms to close the notch.
Why leveling? can make you gain performance?
In a perfect world, in Good cast your master line should be completed to a maximum of 50% of its diameter (or its area of section ). The closer we get to freezing, the more the level in your mainline should decrease until leaving only a thread which will freeze forming a small ice not obstructing the master line .
If your tube East to levels or sloping reverse it will fill up , so the water accumulated in the tube will freeze forming an ice plug. The first hours of a casting, usually represents the majority of the sap harvested . The ice plug thus prevents the sap from reaching your releaser during the best periods of casting .
Some might think that maple sap is recovered when the ice plug melts, however the ice also prevents the vacuum from reaching the notch. According to studies from the University of Vermont , the casting increases by 5% per thumb of mercury vacuum at the notch. So if your vacuum is only 5in/ hg vs 25in/hg you lose approx . half of your return for this period.
Moreover, not being vacuum sealed, your notches are in direct contact with oxygen, plus a notch is exposed to oxygen plus the maple seeks to heal the cut.
So here's how to do a leveling effective And sustainable .
The minimum suggested slope is 1% however We strongly recommend that you aim 2% to counter the unforeseen like the frost of the ground and disturbance of the network by deer.
To make leveling easier, plan your lines in your maple grove with a 2% slope at an ergonomic height.
Optical measuring tools give you the slope in a straight line, however your tube always curves towards the down between the supports (stays or tutor) this is why you must always take your measurement on the section between two supports as close as possible to your releaser .
We advise you to use a level with level hooks. If you are alone, the use of an electronic level is strongly recommended .
You will need 2x2 or 2x3 wooden stakes and tutor foot.
➡️ Click here to order your stake feet 🔥
We offer plastic stake feet recycled which are made directly on the 2x2 raw or the 2x3 to hover .
When you place your stake foot on the ground, you can remove the humus layer with a shovel or your boot.
Always start at your pump station, as this is often a point where the height is more complex to modify.
Then place your electronic level at the beginning of each section after each support (stays or tutor). You should get 1% or the equivalent by adjusting the height of the next support . For sections with a ground has low slope, you can space the stakes up to 8 or 10 feet apart and reduce the starting height by lowering your release .
The use of tape iron hole surrounding your mainline pin and screws will make it easier for you to precisely adjust the height to each stake. We advise you to keep a minimum height from the ground to prevent your mainline from being under snow in the spring.
Thank you for reading to the end, it is very much appreciated. If you have any positive, negative or constructive comments, I invite you to write to me on Messenger, send me an email and even post a little message on my Facebook page.
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Très intéressant! Merci. Je vais faire ces vérifications car j’ai un rendement de 2 livres par entaille. Devrait être environ 4 livres. 😕
Very interesting especially about the frozen lines. I use 3/16 lines with a drop of 55’ in 300’ average natural vacuum is 22 to 24 inches at the top of the hill. From what I remember the lines always freeze first. Would I be wrong to assume with the smaller line they would thaw quicker? How much vacuum would I need to keep the lines clear of sap at the time freezing? I purchased a line viper a few years ago and it helps a lot it came with a free tutors’ foot. Cannot see how they would help me without some kind of a vacuum pump