Anyone ever done this on there dredge ?

jog · Apr 10, 2011

I had an idea today and I don't know if it has ever been done, but thought I would see what everyone here thinks.
Has anyone ever put small riffles on the punch plate at the head of the box to help drop out the fines faster? Do you think this might work or make things worse?

Gravel Hog · Apr 10, 2011

Hey, Jog, nothing wrong with thinking improvements but that would make things worse.
A punch plate is a slick plate with holes the fines travel the bottom and drop throught the holes.
Adding riffles creates turbulence and would hold up the larger rocks.
You want the rocks to keep rolling and the gold traveling the bottom to drop through.

I have seen a guy who had riffles welded to the underside of the punch plates (or in might have been expanded?) but not sure how well that worked out for him.

russau · Apr 11, 2011

yep, riffels at the head of your sluice will keep the fines stired up. you want to get your fines to drop out of suspension as quicly as you can to save them.

jog · Apr 11, 2011

Well; like I said, it was just a thought. Then again I have lots of thoughts that don't make much sense, but I guess you never know unless you ask. Like I tell my kids there is no such thing as a dumb question.