I am new to prospecting and am wanting build a Highbanker/dredge. I know this is probably a personal preference topic, but I have seen dredge set-ups with either a suction nozzle where the pressure line goes to the nozzle or where the pressure line goes to a power jet. I would like to know the advantages of one over the other.
1. I have noticed that hose clogs seem to be an issue with the power jet. Do suction nozzles have the same or less occurrence with clogs?
2. What about work area distances from the sluice?
3. Can lay flat hoses be used on both the pressure and return sides when using a suction nozzle.
4. Regarding the pump. I realize that a high pressure pump would work in both instances but they are more expensive than semi-trash pumps. Some say that a semi trash pump is fine as long as the flow rate is high enough and I found that others that say you need high pressure. Its seems to me the people saying High Pressure are the power jet users and the others are suction nozzle users. Is this the case? Even a seller of a suction nozzle only states the amount of GPH or GPM needed for the nozzle on his website.
I know cheapest is not always the best way to go, but I also know that the more expensive way isn't always the best way either. I would appreciate any advice on this so I don't wast a lot of time and money.
Thanks, Paul
Replies
The Titanic
Highbanker, 2,5" Hydroforce 250 nozzle, 4 HP 2" Mitsubishi 138 GPM pump. Keen A52 sluice.
I ran this as a Highbanker but wanted to float it as a dredge. The floats were off a pool lounger rated flotation 150lbs. The front tire was to have wheelbarrow transport using the rear legs as lockable handles.
Well it floated but when it started pumping water it wanted to sink so stand by My floats (photo posted earlier) come tomorrow along with a Deseret Fox spiral wheel.
Will be posting a PIC of her when shes done.
Haven't decided as to what group to join as of yet the OSPA or the GPAA.
Titanic.jpg
Thanks for the info
paul here is a link to a combo i built for a friend a few years back here is a link to some pic s of it in use https://www.goldprospectorsspace.com/photo/blk-hills-006?context=user there are 2 pic s
#1 Ken answered that. He sent me the punch plate and wire mesh from his banker to put in mine :)
#2 I got the pump from Northern Safety and Industrial. The pump i got is a 900 series briggs 5 1/2hp. Its a discontinued model and I got it on sale. I spent 3 months online before I found a new one. Now its a 950 series which is 6 1/2 hp and brings price up a bit. Ill look around and see if I can find another one. Mine is 12000 gph...200gpm....and 52 psi. The higher psi was why i searched so hard for it as most all other semi trash pumps run 40-42 psi.
#3 The hoses i got locally from hose supplier with the exception of the 2 1/2 dredge hose that i got from Carolina Prospectors. Orrin turned me on to a site called Zorro Tools which is where I got Banjo quick disconnect fittings.
#4 My high pressure hose to nozzel and dredge hose to combo are both 15 feet. I have no issue with pushing material to box but if you get a pump with less gpm and psi you may want to shorten it a few feet. Hope that helps some and feel free to ask questions anytime.
Almost forgot....
#5 My build is Kens design. He's a mentor to a few of us and helped me tremendously and that old fart knows his s***! :)
paul the holes in the punch plate are 3/16 dia on a 1/16 inch thick metal
Bob,
The one I am building is very similar to yours. I was going to make mine a 2in suction but I may go with the 2 1/2 like yours. Can you answer a few questions about your build.
1. What size are the holes on the punch plate and on what centers.
2. Where did you get your pump? You said you paid $250. It looks the same as the 2 inch Pacer Chemical water pump from Northern tool. It has the same specs as your pump but they want $329
3. Any suggestions on where to get hoses and quick connects?
4. How long can the suction hose be between the nozzle and the HB before it causes too much flow restriction.
Thanks for the responses.
Dont know what your budget is but this is what i built for under $800. With help from Ken :) https://www.goldprospectorsspace.com/video/heres-my-finished-2-1-2-...
depends on how big a dredge your using power jets will let you dredge deeper as well as shallow water it still takes about the same volume of water and pressure for good results for ether the nozzle or jet it still takes a balanced combination of water and pressure depending on the size of your dredge will varey the choice of pumps and motors over the last 56 years i have built several different banker dredge combos as well as 3 ,4,5 inch dredges feel free to as any questions you have i willtry to answer them for you
use a trash pump they work great for highbankers thats all I ever use on mine,also you cant use layflat hose for suction hose , hope this helps a little