Video - Written Tips - List of resources for
pumps, etc.
Video #1
A walk through the Gold Hog unit with Doc.
Set up, features, important tips and use information.
Please read the tips and special
notes below.
Correction /
Updates:
#1
In the video it says two 1500 gph pumps for con mode.
We are changing that to two 2000 gph pumps after a GREAT round of testing.
(Video coming soon.)
#2 We no longer
include the BALL VALVE. No one was using it and it added
unneeded bulk. Everyone controls the water volume by pump speed.
#3 We think the unit
performs best with a 2" dredge attachment.
2.5" can be tricky and be too much on the flow. It can be used
but requires some mods.
Video #2
Running as a concentrator.
Video # 3
Running as a Dredge
Things you'll need to convert to a dredge.
Unfortunately, this gets a bit tricky or confusing sometimes. The
industry has not come out with "standardized" conversion packages so you
have to do a little work. Hopefully, this list will help. It is what Doc
uses.
Note... Jobe Wholesale does not retail their products. You have to find
them at a retailer. We use them as an example but Keene products will work
as well.
#1... A 2" header box attachment. Part number 6542
#2... We use about 14 feet of 2" clear suction hose.
#3... High Pressure hose. You must be careful here. Match your suction
nozzle fitting size. Either 1.25" or 1.5" are the common sizes. Your
pressure hose should be a bit longer than your suction hose. This allows you
to reach your pump.
#4... Pressure hose fittings and clamps. There are only a few
people in the WORLD that make these. This "necks down" your 2" water pump to
a 1.25" or 1.5" pressure hose. Then the other end attaches to your nozzle.
Jobe makes these as well.
#5... Suction nozzle. Jobe makes a 2" with a 1.25" pressure hose
fitting. Keene makes it with either a 1.25 or 1.5" pressure hose fitting. We
use the Keene 2" with a 1.25" pressure hose fitting because we use a high
pressure pump when dredging.
Tips, Tricks and Special
Notes
(More coming daily.)
A few tricks, advice, and helpful info...
Construction and Rivets
When we first designed the unit we had all the seams and joints welded.
However, this made repairs a VERY difficult process. The machine is designed
to take a "beating" so over time something is bound to need a slight repair.
(The shipping process is also hard on the machines.)
The entire machine is now assembled with rivets. We highly recommend you buy
a cheap rivet gun and even take with you if you are traveling on extended
trips or remote locations. Should a rivet come loose, simply remove it
and replace it. It takes a matter of seconds and the cost is pennies.
Here is an example of kit you can buy anywhere:
HERE
(A new window will open.)
Tray Lips and Fitting
All the trays have an "under lip" that slides into the tray below. While
they are VERY strong, we recommend you use a little care. Don't "throw" the
trays on the ground or leave them on your tailgate and drive off. (That
comes from our stupid experience.) However, they can be adjusted if needed.
We use a simple metal bending tool to adjust but in the field a pair of
pliers works fine should damage one.
Tightening the Legs
Sometimes you will tighten the leg screws and there might be a "hidden
pebble" or some sand in the bracket. If that sand crushes the leg might
slide down and now be loose again. Before we run the unit, we always do one
last check on the screws and tighten again.
Water Discharge
If you are near a creek, or on an incline, we like to set our unit sideways
on the incline. This allows both discharges to run downhill without washing
out dirt and the ground where your legs are standing. Thanks to the
adjustable legs it is easy to level out the unit.
Water Flow and Modes
In the "Highbanker Mode" you should use just enough water to "kick off"
stones from the skimmer tray. If you pre-screen or classify material
slightly you need less water. Don't classify at all, you'll need more. Play
with the setting and adjust.
However, we recommend you adjust the flow from the RPMs / throttle on your
pump. This saves gas and puts less wear and tear on your engine.
In Concentrator mode we recommend 4000 GPH since you are doing a
"full dump". (Watch the video) Currently we run 2 , 2000 GPH pumps and it
works very well, and... they are less expensive.
If you click this link:
HERE , a new page will open showing cheap 2000 gph pumps.
Also
HERE is one more search.
Remember, it's not about "holding material" it's about exchanging the light
material for heavier material. Cover your skimmer tray with the con mat,
move the top tray back about 3" and have ALL the water and material dump
into the next box. Use the bungee cord and if needed place a small brace
under the top skimmer tray and over the next tray.
We often do a double run...
We run our cons through at a 1/4" screen first. This lets us catch wire
gold, flat gold and any surprise nuggets. Then we clean the mats, screen to
1/8" and run again. While we don't like to make "capture rate claims", when
we do this method we are really close to 99.8% of all gold caught. Even down
to very fine gold (-100 and -200) the machine is VERY efficient. Many
people have stopped doing the double run as they find they do not need it.
If you have a BUNCH of cons, 10 - 50 gallons, the yes, a double run might be
worth it.
Should you use vortex when running cons?
We use to put vortex in on of the trays, but we found that it really wasn't
needed. If you do the double run method, it misses VERY little gold if any.
Feel free to experiment, but for us... using UR, scrubber, UR scrubber is
all we need.
What you might need or want.
Gas Pumps:
For highbanking we use a cheap, 2" semi-trash, gas powered, water pump. Most
are around 6 HP. Most put out about 160 GPM. These can be used for a dredge
if you use a 2" nozzle.
Electric Pumps:
For both concentrator mode and field mode we use the same. We use 2, 12
volt, 2000 gph pumps. They should have a 1 and 1/8" connector. We buy the
cheaper ones as they often get abused.
