Do they sell pumps that dont leak around the main seal?

[kcm]

Well, let's try this: We know he has a 1.25 input into his dredge nozzle. Therefore, going with ANY pump above 1.5" would be overkill, unless the excess water is diverted to other things. Using a larger pump for a smaller job is very stressful on the pump, and actually makes the pump much less fuel efficient as it's having to work harder.

I notice he already has 2" suction hose on the input, but also on the output?? In some cases I can understand that - as in if you need to prevent common kinking.

If your dredge nozzle uses a 1.25" adapter, does that mean you're using a 4" suction nozzle? You could "try" removing the 1.25" and going 1.5" with your current pump and see what happens, provided your suction nozzle allows for that. Otherwise, you would be much better off going with a 1.5" pump.

 

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[matt_unique]

Keene 2" dredge/highbanker combo mated to a 48"X10" sluice box with dredge riffles. 2" off the shelf Keene suction nozzle with 15' of 2" rigid hose from nozzle to hopper, 10' of 2" rigid suction hose, 15' of 2" rigid water discharge hose coupled to nozzle via required reduction to 1.25". The reduction requirement is to fit the Keen 2" nozzle: http://www.keeneeng.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=KES&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=HBCDK2

I need one pump which will handle home needs as well as highbanker/dredge needs.

Yep - learning as I go.

 

[kcm]

A 1.5" pump will have no problems feeding a 1.25" dredge nozzle. However, you have seen that 2" pumps don't like it much.

Either of the 1.5" pumps will provide all the power your suction nozzle needs, plus they are both under your 60 lb. weight limit. Depending on how far you have to pack in your gear, that 20 lb. pump sure sounds like a winner!

Sorry, hit <ENTER> too quick.

I don't know how well the 20 lb. pump will hold up over long periods of use, but I would assume they are pretty reliable if they have that Honda name on them. The heavier pump provides more GPM, which might be preferable for your needs.

 

[ratled]

What you want is 2.5 Stroke Honda Engine & Pump: Keene Engineering Online It will do the HB/dredge stuff you mentioned just fine. Just be careful with home stuff as this is not a trash pump like you have. If you want to try and save a few $ and not worry so much about slight debris this will work Honda WX15 Model Info | 1.5" Lightweight Water Pump | Honda Pumps I use my WX 15 for a 2" dredge and HB. It has a enough head that I can work well above the water to HB

ratled

 

[matt_unique]

The nozzle is a 2"...the reduction port is 1.25". Actually I see all the Keene nozzles from 1.5" - 2.5" uses a reduction fitting to 1.25".
At this point, I don't think I can return the WB20 pump (again). The seals do not leak until I get into the higher RPM with my current rig on the suction nozzle. How much suction I need (and thus how much rpm on the engine) will be part of the learning curve for me. I will do test runs with the material to see what flow/angle I need to clear out the whites but keep the heavies.

My initial idea was to go a little bigger than I needed on the engine/pump so I would not have to run at such a high rpm as would likely be required on a smaller pump.

 

[okbasspro]

Run that pump a little more maybe the seals have not broke in yet.

 

[matt_unique]

I will be using it this weekend for the first time in the field (it's a brand new pump - out of the box). My likely site requires shovel into highbanker until I get below the water line, and then I plan to use the dredge nozzle.
I will let you know how I make out and how the pump holds up over two days of mining.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

I have the WH15X and really like it. I'm using it for fire protection/irrigation purposes.

My brother ran a (homemade) high banker combination/dry land dredge with the WX15 and it worked fine...till the seal started leaking.
We assumed it was from pumping recirculated muddy water. Replaced it and the new one leaked...This was 10 years ago.
Sounds very similiar...

 

[matt_unique]

I forgot to report on my pump. I ran it for two days on the river and it did not leak a drop. I learned I did not need to run the pump at full power to dredge...half throttle provided the right water flow over the sluice and good suction. At full power with the suction nozzle attached the main seal leaks.

 

[russau]

it sure would be nice to have a tack on that engine to know exactly how high you can run that engine before all heck breaks lose! Its better to have to much power (as you found out) than NOT enough!