She's Ready For a Field Test

[Hoser John]

Know that R--just wanna dredge-anytime--anyplace--with anything --and not be villanized for my advocation-John--PS-dropped beer???????????????????? Not on my watch!!!

[trick]

Hey guys, just wanted you to know, like Pickaxe said, we did a field test and she floats and damn near sucked my glove off once or twice. I couldn't be happier, I'd post pics, but as usual I left something behind, the camera. Will post pics of final cleanup when I'm done processing. Most of the gold was above 50 mesh, which is good for the Arkansas. Many thanx to Pickaxe for all his help on Sunday, he's a good friend, and yes I'll help him get his BEAST to the water. You could float a campsite on his dredge.

[YellowFever]

maybe we can get together some time and do some dredging! I want to spend a lot of time on the Arkansas river this year Would really love to meat new people that have the same interest as me! I have a 4" Keene and a 2" back pack!!!

Send me a PM if your interested

[Bonaro]

I only see a handfull of small tweaks I would make to your setup.

1. The short air hose from the pump to the reserve air tank must be heat rated. That pump runs hot and the PVC hose you have will burst after about two hours. You have no back-check valve that I can see so you will immediately loose all air.

2. the quick release fitting is on the pump not the hose. You cannot relieve air pressure on the pump for easy starting and you will always be running a full head of air even when the hoses are disconnected. The pump fitting should be male, it can reverse after the reserve air tank so you can purge the lines.

3. That muffler is the loudest one available from Briggs, you will learn to loathe this. $25 for a low tone is $25 well spent.

4. Make a snorkel for the air pump. Make it at least 4' high then point the engine exhaust in any horizontal direction you choose. You MUST have vertical separation between the air intake and motor exhaust or the wind will swirl the exhaust right back to your air intake. The wind never blows downward...

5. The cam lock on the water pump outlet is female, reverse this to male. You will not be able to swap ends on the pressure hose anymore but at least you wont blow the rubber gasket 100 feet across the river when you start the motor with the hose off.

6. the pressure gauge will die very quickly if it's not fluid filled or dampened. A pressure gauge on the water pump is kinda useless anyway because what are you going to do with that info? It's a much handier thing on the air tank...again, fluid filled.

I'm not pi$$ing in your sandbox, just trying to save you some frustration. I think you have a very solid setup that will perform very well. I like the extra step for the turbo clamps on the hoses, this will save you a lot of cuts and scrapes. Another good thing would be a small basket to use as a tool box. Attach it in the front for a place to keep you pry bar, crevice tool, beer, sucker bottle, beer and camera

[Tanqd]

He has great taste in hoses though!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Bonaro]

Eric, his hose is clearly orange and yours is PINK...just aint right

[YellowFever]

It takes a real man to go out in public with something like that! more power to you!

[Bonaro]

Im just glad he always wears a full wetsuit. Rumor has it that his swimming suit matches the hose

[russau]

Dan thats cold! haha

[Bonaro]

Yeah, but it's no fun when he isn't here to defend himself. I will have to email him and tell him all you guys are beating up on him in here..