Tubing vs. buckets: a cost comparison

Equipment investment for tubing-vacuum systems was significantly less than that for bucket systems. Tubing-vacuum systems required about 22 percent less labor input, the major labor input being completed before sap-flow periods. Annual cost of operation was less for tubing-vacuum than the bucket system. Small tubing-vacuum operations showed more profit potential than small bucket operations. Also, tubing-vacuum operations showed a 28 percent increase in sap volume yield as compared to bucket systems.