Best HighBanker For The Money

[digger34]

Alright guys, I've got about 600 bucks to spend on a good Highbanker, preferably one that can be used as a concentrator. I've been looking at the Keene Mini Max which is a highbanker, concentrator and sluice all in one. But before I make my purchase, I was wondering if you guys have any other suggestions. I plan on mining small to medium sized creeks.
If these areas I've got permission for do well, I'll be looking into a dredge.

Thanks Guys!!!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[utah mason]

What about a goldhog piglet? $ 480.00 for the main unit. Also have a extension for 179.00 $. Good weight, can be run with either gas pump or 3700 gph bilge pump.

 

[digger34]

I was looking at the piglet as well. Does it come with everything out of the box needed to mine for $480? Or do I need to buy a pump too?

 

[Hamfist]

I second the Piglet. It's not considered a concentrator but it only leaves about a pan worth of material to deal with...two if using the extension. The crash box style hopper is so incredibly simple and effective and the mats are very efficient. It doesn't come with a pump. Few, if any, in that price range do. With the right pump, you can use it as a 2" dredge.

 

[digger34]

That's why I'm thinking of going with the Keene Mini Max. Great reviews, can use as high banker/sluice/concentrator and comes with pump and hoses on sale for 449.99-499.99.

 

[goldhog]

I have not used the Mini Max.... so can not say good or bad about it.

But I think what you'll find is that VOLUME... along with efficiency.... is what what you need to look at.
IE: how much dirt would you like to run in an hour / day and do you have to classify material at all.
It's tough to find a highbanker in that range including PUMP... since to really run a decent amount of
pay... you need to be gas powered.

Removing the classification for ME... is a critical factor. (Time is efficiency as well)

KEY POINT: Picking the right unit... it REALLY needs to matched up to your prospecting STYLE

Are you are always by yourself... do you have help... are you looking to run two buckets an hour or 100?

Personally I would see if you could go out with some folks that own different equipment and run with them first.

That is always a huge help.

Doc

 

[Hoser John]

I'll take the Proline high banker any day and in every way. Built industrial tough on the west coast-John

 

[digger34]

Don't have that kind of money haha

 

[digger34]

I have not used the Mini Max.... so can not say good or bad about it.

But I think what you'll find is that VOLUME... along with efficiency.... is what what you need to look at.
IE: how much dirt would you like to run in an hour / day and do you have to classify material at all.
It's tough to find a highbanker in that range including PUMP... since to really run a decent amount of
pay... you need to be gas powered.

Removing the classification for ME... is a critical factor. (Time is efficiency as well)

KEY POINT: Picking the right unit... it REALLY needs to matched up to your prospecting STYLE

Are you are always by yourself... do you have help... are you looking to run two buckets an hour or 100?

Personally I would see if you could go out with some folks that own different equipment and run with them first.

That is always a huge help.

Doc

I'll be with atleast 1 other person at all times. I'd be happy with runnin a yard an hour. I've been looking into your guy's Piglet, my question is what all would I need to turn it into a 2" dredge/highbanker so one person can be dredging while the others shoveling.

 

[Duckshot]

The cheapest way to do it is to buy a stream sluice and a pump, then jam a 2×4 with a hole for the hose on the feed end. There's your concentrator. If you want to convert to header box with a grizzly you could either buy one or make one. Building a high banker ain't rocket surgery. Just takes some ambition and a stingy wallet.

 

[nh.nugget]

The cheapest way to do it is to buy a stream sluice and a pump, then jam a 2×4 with a hole for the hose on the feed end. There's your concentrator. If you want to convert to header box with a grizzly you could either buy one or make one. Building a high banker ain't rocket surgery. Just takes some ambition and a stingy wallet.

A little bit of ingenuity you can build your own. Here's my hill-billy high banker.

 

[n01d3x]

I have the piglet. Two weeks ago I ran it on a creek by my friend's cabin. I use a gas Honda pump and I am very impressed with the design of the piglet. The rocks come out extremely clean. I have the extension as well. Two of us shoveled and tossed buckets into it for about 5 hours. Ended up with a little over 2 grams, tested the tailings and found maybe a dozen pieces of super fine gold, 100 mesh at best. I watched a guy running a mini Keene high banker a while back. His seemed ok, but running the piglet is a blast. It makes you feel like a "real miner". Whatever that means lol.

 

[mikep691]

True it all depends on your conditions. My partner built the redneck highbanker to fit his Keene A51A sluice. It started with a half steel bucket and home made punch plate for the hopper but has been improved to sheet metal with 1/2" flat expanded. We run creek gravels right off the bedrock that can be anywhere from 6" thick up to and over 3' thick. You can view it in some videos posted in my journal "M and M Mining the Northern Sierras". This season I have a Jobe 1 1/2" conbo unit that I'm real impreesd with, but after some (redneck) mods, it will serve it's purpose. And the price is right.

 

[Hoser John]

Does NOT have to be new as used and not abused is just fine by me-John

 

[nh.nugget]

Does NOT have to be new as used and not abused is just fine by me-John

Let some one else work out the kinks LOL!

 

[mikep691]

True it all depends on your conditions. My partner built the redneck highbanker to fit his Keene A51A sluice. It started with a half steel bucket and home made punch plate for the hopper but has been improved to sheet metal with 1/2" flat expanded. We run creek gravels right off the bedrock that can be anywhere from 6" thick up to and over 3' thick. You can view it in some videos posted in my journal "M and M Mining the Northern Sierras". This season I have a Jobe 1 1/2" conbo unit that I'm real impreesd with, but after some (redneck) mods, it will serve it's purpose. And the price is right.

That should have read "NOT real impressed with". I'll use it since it's free, but I would not buy one.

 

[digger34]

I ended up picking up a 3" dredge for a great price on Craigslist. Thanks for all the help guys. Now I just got to find places to prospect