Dredge vs. Highbanker

[Shenandoah Digger]

I'm new to the prospecting game. My question is, and I'm sure it's a dumb one, is why would someone buy a highbanker when they can get a dredge that seems more functional. Can't the floating dredge be more or less used as a highbanker when necessary? But the highbanker can't be used as a floating dredge unless you put it on a boat. Thanks for your help.

 

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[Eu_citzen]

A highbanker can be more portable, and is easier to handle. Also can be put in a recirculating system. Also often they are cheaper.

Why not look at a combo system?

 

[nuggetshooter323]

A highbanker is more portable and versatile. Your not going to drag a dredge up to side of a hill to work a bench deposit. If you like the idea of both, then what Eu said is correct. A combo unit would be the way to go, and if you want to work deeper parts of the river, float it on pontoons. I have the Keene highbanker/dredge combo and it works great.

 

[Hoser John]

Proline highbankers have a REAL dredge hookup and not playing games with stinkn' bars pluggn' up. The adjustable legs permit you to run in a couple a feet of water and the 10-15' a hose give ya plenty of room to dredge till ya drop!! A dredge outta water is exactly that---useless purt' near-Tons a au 2 u 2-John

 

[EggyOG]

I agree with Hoser John, but I am admittedly biased.
The Proline combo was built from the beginning to be both a highbanker and a dredge. It is not a retrofitted highbanker trying to be used as a dredge. The only down side in some people's opinion (not mine) is that it is not a suction nozzle dredge. The way I look at it, highbank until you have enough of a hole to dredge in without losing all your water and the problem is solved.

 

[delnorter]

I recently purchased a used Proline highbanker / dredge combo. Does the previous post mean I can't replace original the powerjet with a suction nozzle?

Mike O.

 

[flyspekau]

You set it all up different when using the high banker redwood if you want to use the suction nozzle you have to use the high banker part not the dredge.

 

[Hoser John]

EZ to do--just put a short piece a hose from the unit to the powerjet IN THE WATER and viola your off and running. The reason?? you lose prime with you pj outta the water.Party on-1 piece a proline equipment or 2 keeneEZ 1-tons a au 2 u 2-John

 

[delnorter]

Thank you Fly & John,

I believe I understand what both of you are saying.

The highbanker I bought has a custom crash box, about 24" long, between the powerjet and the header box. What kind of problems would I have if I removed the jet and replaced it with a proper hose from the crash box out to a suction nozzle? Not enough suction? Plug ups?

I'm trying to avoid shooting the material through a grizzly. I intend to be up on dry land, pumping water to a shallow dredgin depression.

Thank again for your help,

Mike O.

 

[Hoser John]

way toooo much conflicting info--post pics--remote crashboxTons a au 2 u 2-John

 

[delnorter]

Thanks John, I'll put it together, photograph it and post pictures within a few days. I'm
off to Medford, OR. this morning taking a friend to a doctor appointment.

We're really catching it over here on the coast (Crescent City, CA.) Raining and blowing to beat
the band. Our little Smith River was flowing right at 100,000 CFS yesterday.

Mike O.

 

[Hoser John]

You folks are getting it all-here in Redding it rains but mist,drizzle and bloody cold-lakes over 70% empty--rain gods better get it on---OR ELSE!!!Tons a au 2 u2 -John

 

[DEMERSON]

. I have the Keene highbanker/dredge combo and it works great.

i have the same thing and i wouldnt trade it for anything.

 

[kiwi jw]

The bonus of a highbanker is that you can set it up away from the creek/river say up on a high old river terrace & pipe/pump water to it & you can shovel material in to it. So great for working away from a river or creek where there isnt enough water to run a suction system. You also dont need as big a motor/pump set up to run it as a highbanker. The pics below is running on start up idle only of a 2.5 hp 2 stroke, as with dredging be it a power jet or suction nozzle you will have to crank your revs up to get the amount of water pressure needed to run a suction hose system. This could mean a bigger pump & motor.

Here is the same unit running as a 2" suction nozzle set up. I made this to be very portable for small mountain streams that I can back pack into. I usualy use a 2.5 hp 2 stroke for its lightness but in these pics was running a 5 hp honda as I was able to drive to this spot & the 4 stroke runs quieter than a 2 stroke.

Essentialy a highbanker allows you to work away from the main water course by shoveling into it. When the water is available you can use it as a dredge floating on pontoons or sitting on the river bank on legs or rocks if the water isnt deep enough for floating it. It just gives you more options than having just a dredge or just a highbanker.

Happy golding

JW

 

[silvercop]

i highbank in the winter and dredge in the summer. the creek is too cold for me in the winter, so that is where the highbanker comes in