Popping the cork on a dredge

[bill-costa rica]

the more suction you have the better. less plug ups and water you need in your sluice

bill/cr

I run a 5hp Briggs & Stratton on my 4" Keene
Had to remove the air compressor to use all the HP for suction, plus have to run the engine wide open.


It works ok, but also have to baby the feed when in mostly sand to keep from getting plug ups in the hose that more horse power would eliminate.

View attachment 914803

GG~

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Diving for Pleasure and Treasure - Grab it through Amazon!

[Goodyguy]

This winter I'm building an infinity jet to see how well it will perform with the 5hp. Number one because I like to tinker and number two because I already have all the material needed for the build and number three I dont want to spend the extra money that an 8-13 hp motor would cost. (I will though if the infinity jet turns out to be a fail)

I already have to buy an 18-24 hp for the backhoe my brother and I are building so I'm hoping the infinity jet lives up to it's hype.

GG~

 

[Timberdoodle]

This winter I'm building an infinity jet to see how well it will perform with the 5hp. Number one because I like to tinker and number two because I already have all the material needed for the build and number three I dont want to spend the extra money that an 8-13 hp motor would cost. (I will though if the infinity jet turns out to be a fail)

I already have to buy an 18-24 hp for the backhoe my brother and I are building so I'm hoping the infinity jet lives up to it's hype.

GG~

Good to hear GG. I think you'll like it and it would make a good addition to you're awesome dredge setup!

 

[principedeleon]

This winter I'm building an infinity jet to see how well it will perform with the 5hp. Number one because I like to tinker and number two because I already have all the material needed for the build and number three I dont want to spend the extra money that an 8-13 hp motor would cost. (I will though if the infinity jet turns out to be a fail) I already have to buy an 18-24 hp for the backhoe my brother and I are building so I'm hoping the infinity jet lives up to it's hype. GG~

Are you building a mini excavator ?

 

[Goodyguy]

Are you building a mini excavator ?

More like a towable trencher only ours will have more depth capability.
Similar to this one .........

 

[russau]

WOW Buddy! your going to need a bigger hopper on your other equipment! and maybe some more help!

 

[bill-costa rica]

are you going diesel ? i am looking for a 25 to 30 hp diesel motor

bill/cr

This winter I'm building an infinity jet to see how well it will perform with the 5hp. Number one because I like to tinker and number two because I already have all the material needed for the build and number three I dont want to spend the extra money that an 8-13 hp motor would cost. (I will though if the infinity jet turns out to be a fail)

I already have to buy an 18-24 hp for the backhoe my brother and I are building so I'm hoping the infinity jet lives up to it's hype.

GG~

 

[principedeleon]

More like a towable trencher only ours will have more depth capability. Similar to this one ......... <img src="http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=916540"/>

I wanted to buy something like that .. The same one you have in the photo they are made and sold by some company i forgot their name. I have heard that those trenchers have the capability but because its light weight make a lot of that capability useless unless you attach it to some heavier equitment a truck ect. There is one being sold on ebay also.. But i just dont know if is good enough to break through hard pack. Maybe with a ripper but it sure makes it more time consuming. Shouldnt something heavier stand more a chance in tougher ground that you face with mining ?

 

[specksandflecks]

I wanted to buy something like that .. The same one you have in the photo they are made and sold by some company i forgot their name. I have heard that those trenchers have the capability but because its light weight make a lot of that capability useless unless you attach it to some heavier equitment a truck ect. There is one being sold on ebay also.. But i just dont know if is good enough to break through hard pack. Maybe with a ripper but it sure makes it more time consuming. Shouldnt something heavier stand more a chance in tougher ground that you face with mining ?

Sorry for going off topic here ...There are plans and kits available for these online, so you could build your own if you have the tools. http://www.ubuilditplans.com/webpage4_page2.html
You are probably right about hard ground, there is always a trade off between size/cost, portability and capability.

 

[principedeleon]

Sorry for going off topic here ...There are plans and kits available for these online, so you could build your own if you have the tools. http://www.ubuilditplans.com/webpage4_page2.html You are probably right about hard ground, there is always a trade off between size/cost, portability and capability.

Yeah but i wouldnt want to buy something that isnt fit for the job; Then wanting to sale it to upgrade. The little i seen of those towable excavator doesnt convience me either. Most videos are digging through some soft ground that anyone with maybe just a shovel alone might digg through it lol If i would want to buy one; i would want to make sure it works in places where a pick while digging would just rebound. The tuffest video i have seen of them been from FCM spider1600 model picking up boulders. Not even the prospecting candigs have a small footage of the actual mining which is pretty sad for the customers who want to see before believing it. I dont know where all this might go from here but maybe someone haves a decent one showing the actual real work process and yph it could move in tough ground.

 

[Goodyguy]

The one my brother and I are building is more for use in soft ground in and around creeks that have sandy gravely overburden down to as much as 8' above bedrock or less, plus it will also have an auger attached for drilling test holes. (these creeks are on private property in Indiana)

Will mostly be using it to feed my 15" trommel because I get too tired shoveling after only about a yard of material. (not as young as I used to be.)

And yes Russ, I will be putting a larger hopper on the trommel. Cant wait to be able to sit down and dig, wont need any help for that
Bill, we may go diesel, if we find the right one that I can afford.
Principedeleon, sometimes where we dig there will be hard pack that usually varies from 2"-4" thick. May have to add a jackhammer attachment but I doubt it.

What we have done is purchased some parts (cheap) from a DIY build that a friend of my brothers had started but did not have the funds to finish. His parts also included 2 buckets, a 9" and a 24", but as my brother and I are both fabricators we will be adding our touches to the final build that will upgrade the project considerably. Our cost to do the completed project should be under 2k but not over $2,500
Mostly because we buy the steel wholesale and we will use as much "drop" from his fabricating shop as possible.


GG~

 

[Goodyguy]

Got some big plans ahead of me. I want a 4" but regulations here require no more than 5hp. I cant find a single 4" that can use that little horsepower. I really dont want to settle for a 3" but may have to. I just cant get by the fact that a 4" can do almost 2x the volume as a 3.

Who has a solution for me?
Is there a 5hp motor out there that can run a 4"?

Sorry for getting off topic, Hopefully we'll get back on track as I'm in the same boat as you with running a 5hp on a 4" dredge and it really doesn't provide quite enough suction to do it right with the standard jet log.

I'm tempted to use my 4" down to a 3" reducer and just run it as a 3" but after running a 4" it's hard to want to downsize.
The infinity jet seems like the best alternative. Guess I'll find out come Spring.


GG~

 

[principedeleon]

I know some places that haves 3-7 feets of hard pack laying on top of the maybe 2-6 inches of paydirt.

Just took a look at the website and it states it cost around $3500 for building your own with new parts + the cost of buying the plans + labor.

Isnt it better buying something like the one sold on ebay ? $3600 with two buckets and free shipping.

 

[GrizzlyGremlin]

I have decided to order the keene 4" ultra mini as my base dredge. I can mod my sluice as needed. But have a question! What is a snorkel referred to as in the description? It says t80 compressor but what is a snorkel? Does the compressor pump to a dive snorkel? Should i get a regulator? What else do i need to get underwater except a wetsuit and mask? I have plenty of prospecting equipment to process with.
Thanks all im stoked to join your ranks!

 

[principedeleon]

I have decided to order the keene 4" ultra mini as my base dredge. I can mod my sluice as needed. But have a question! What is a snorkel referred to as in the description? It says t80 compressor but what is a snorkel? Does the compressor pump to a dive snorkel? Should i get a regulator? What else do i need to get underwater except a wetsuit and mask? I have plenty of prospecting equipment to process with. Thanks all im stoked to join your ranks!

Is refering to the long piece of pipe that comes off the intake of the aircompressor.

No regulator or wetsuit that is all up to your choice. Make sure is a second stage or make your own from a dive snorkle that comes with a plurge valve.

 

[G1sammons]

I have decided to order the keene 4" ultra mini as my base dredge. I can mod my sluice as needed. But have a question! What is a snorkel referred to as in the description? It says t80 compressor but what is a snorkel? Does the compressor pump to a dive snorkel? Should i get a regulator? What else do i need to get underwater except a wetsuit and mask? I have plenty of prospecting equipment to process with. Thanks all im stoked to join your ranks!

It's a fresh air pickup so your t-80 gets clean air with no exhaust fumes and welcome aboard! Don't let them upgrade your pump with the kc 1 it's a terd and drags way too much power out of your motor! T80 is all you'll need ...I don't know if they come with a regulator I believe they do but if not just buy one from a local dive shop or garage sale And enjoy

Also not sure where you live but I have several regulator if your near me you may have one ..
Also if your buying a dive suite get I 1 peace farmer johns are way to thick across your body and allow cold water in between the 2pieces ....
Some folks think they better because they have 2 7mil layers over your body but you end up with more leaks and a lot more weight to get ya to the bottom
Both are priced near the same

 

[Jason in Enid]

I have decided to order the keene 4" ultra mini as my base dredge. I can mod my sluice as needed. But have a question! What is a snorkel referred to as in the description? It says t80 compressor but what is a snorkel? Does the compressor pump to a dive snorkel? Should i get a regulator? What else do i need to get underwater except a wetsuit and mask? I have plenty of prospecting equipment to process with.
Thanks all im stoked to join your ranks!

The snorkel is a raised air intake for the compressor, to keep it farther away from the exhaust of the motor. If you want to use the compressor you will have to have the regulator, air hose and reserve tank.

Don't mess with modifying the dredge sluice yet. As a new dredger you are likely to mess up things more than you are helping.

 

[G1sammons]

I have decided to order the keene 4" ultra mini as my base dredge. I can mod my sluice as needed. But have a question! What is a snorkel referred to as in the description? It says t80 compressor but what is a snorkel? Does the compressor pump to a dive snorkel? Should i get a regulator? What else do i need to get underwater except a wetsuit and mask? I have plenty of prospecting equipment to process with. Thanks all im stoked to join your ranks!

Also something to consider is if you buy used usally you get all the other goodies like dive suites mask boots pans cleanup sluice hose regulators ect.. And still pay a lot less Then buying a new one ... Iv bought and sold several and it's a much better deal you Probally could find a complete package for around 2500 with all the stuff you need..and some more

 

[G1sammons]

Other things you'll need is gloves 3 to 5 mill diving gloves dive weights rope anchors tubs to clean out your dredge
Water heater depending on where your diving ...

A lot of things depend on where your diving and what time of the year.

Sure you have herd this befor but don't modify your dredge leave it alone for at least your first 10 trips or so
As your understand of what your doing is going to change a lot in this time !!

 

[Timberdoodle]

I have decided to order the keene 4" ultra mini as my base dredge. I can mod my sluice as needed. But have a question! What is a snorkel referred to as in the description? It says t80 compressor but what is a snorkel? Does the compressor pump to a dive snorkel? Should i get a regulator? What else do i need to get underwater except a wetsuit and mask? I have plenty of prospecting equipment to process with.
Thanks all im stoked to join your ranks!

Nice GrizzlyGremlin!!

As Jason said, I wouldn't modify anything until you have had time to use it as is and only modify if you find that you need to based on specific's of the areas your working. I don't think the unit comes with a hose, reserve tank or regulator to attach to the compressor, so you will need this for diving. Hookah regulators are different than scuba regulators if my memory serves me. They are designed for lower pressure so be sure and buy one for a hookah or one that can be adjusted for lower pressure. Keene of course sells the kit's also.

Congrat's