My trommel build ( NEW VIDEO )

[jog]

Have been working on this project for close to three weeks now. One of my claims has a lot of old dredge tailing's and I am going to use this for doing my testing.

 

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[jog]

Re: My trommel build "COMPLETED" "COMPLETED" "COMPLETED"

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[jog]

Re: My trommel build "COMPLETED" "COMPLETED" "COMPLETED"

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[jog]

Re: My trommel build "COMPLETED" "COMPLETED" "COMPLETED"

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[jog]

Re: My trommel build "COMPLETED" "COMPLETED" "COMPLETED"

The gear reduction on the Honda is really nice because it has a wet clutch, the engine at idle will not turn the drum until the throttle is opened up enough to lock up the clutch. Once the engine is running you don't have to shut it off to stop the trommel from turning and also makes for easy starts.
The reason I am running this unit is because I got a great deal on it that I couldn't pass up.
With this engine and sprocket setup I can run the engine at around 700RPM and the trommel screen is turning at 45 Revs per min,
I will show my screw up's that I found once I figure out how to fix them.

 

[Vance in AK]

Re: My trommel build "COMPLETED" "COMPLETED" "COMPLETED"

Thanks Jog!
I'll be out of town for a few days but will check in when I get back!

 

[jog]

Re: My trommel build "COMPLETED" "COMPLETED" "COMPLETED"

I did some more testing today and I basically only have one issue. In the trommel screen I have two 1/2" steel bars welded in to help with the support of the screen and also flip the rocks to help clean them. "WELL" There working to good, they are holding the rock all the way to the top witch is what I wanted I guess but my water spray bar is to close to the top of the screen so it ends up cramming the rock through that narrow gap witch is going to brake the spray bar. I will have to rebuild the brackets and lower the spray bar down near the center.

 

[Gravel Hog]

Re: My trommel build ( TESTING AND PROBLEMS TO FIX )

The steps of success, continuous improvements!!!!!

 

[DanB]

Re: My trommel build ( TESTING AND PROBLEMS TO FIX )

I really enjoyed the full pictorial from start to finish. Looks really cool.....must say congrats on the great job.....did you use a flex plate from a Chevy 350 motor for the teeth on the drum? secondly......could you take a picture looking down through the drum where it empties in to the tray....does the water and washed gravel channel through the curved metal catch under the drum?..... and does the water empty out the end or the middle of the catch?Is the catch cut out under the drum so that the water will not over shoot the sluice...?......lets see a picture of it with the water flowing in it.....How much water are you going to pump through it? are you using a dredge pump or a trash water pump to push water through the spray bar?

db

 

[jog]

Re: My trommel build ( TESTING AND PROBLEMS TO FIX )

The gear I used was from a Surplus Center, .050 chain size and cut the center to fit the drum. The water drops through the screen mesh before getting to the far end and is centered over the sluice by the tub under the trommel screen. The pump I am using is a 2" trash pump.

 

[jog]

Re: My trommel build ( TESTING AND PROBLEMS TO FIX )

Thanks TAKODA.. I appreciate the compliment.

 

[kuger]

Re: My trommel build ( TESTING AND PROBLEMS TO FIX )

Dang fine work!!!I could put that to use real quick!!!!

 

[Daedalus]

Re: My trommel build ( TESTING AND PROBLEMS TO FIX )

Looks like a factory job ! You did very well in making that.
The only thing I would have changed is I would have put the Engine on a locked slide out tray so I could work on it easier and be able to change the oil.
But what you have done is still an awesome job ! Nothing wrong with the design that is for sure .

I bet you are able to get some real gold with that machine when you get out and get it working the claim .

 

[jog]

Re: My trommel build ( TESTING AND PROBLEMS TO FIX )

How's this for easy access!

 

[jog]

Re: My trommel build ( TESTING AND PROBLEMS TO FIX )

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[Daedalus]

Re: My trommel build ( TESTING AND PROBLEMS TO FIX )

How's this for easy access!

I stand corrected , looks fine to me. I guess I got a little ahead of myself . Did not see how you had that set up. Looking good !

 

[jog]

Re: My trommel build ( TESTING AND PROBLEMS TO FIX )

OK I fixed the spray bar problem by lowering the spray bar under the frame. Was able to run rocks up to about 4" without any problems. I think I will have to put some sort of screen in the end of the hopper to stop the 4" to 5" or bigger rocks from entering the screen.
Also I need to enlarge the hole at the bottom of the hopper that is under the screen, the water gets very aireat ed with bubbles and can't get out fast enough so I have a limit of how much water I can put in. Very simple fix.
The testing that I'm doing is next the river near where I live, there is not any gold (that I know of) in this river. I ran three buckets of sand gravel and 4" rocks from a sandy spot and then did a clean up just to see what I had. Lots of Iron and a few led shot BBs.
The trommel it self is working perfect, just have to tweak a few things.
One nice thing about the hopper is that a five gallon bucket fits in it, easy to wash out with the sprayers.

 

[jog]

Re: My trommel build ( FIRST REAL TEST WITH GOLD BEARING SOIL)

I ran the trommel down to Quartzville Oregon on Sat, for a real test. Started digging at 7:30am and quit at 1:00 pm. I ran about 2 to 3 yards with two clean-ups. The trommel worked very well and had no failures or break downs. I will have to do some modifications to the hopper under the screen but will wait till next winter.
I may need to find someone else to run a shovel because I can't keep up with it, it will take as much as I can shovel on a fast pace and not plug up the sluice.
Here are the results of my test.

 

[Vance in AK]

Re: My trommel build ( FIRST REAL TEST WITH GOLD BEARING SOIL)

Congrats JOG!!!!!
Looks like it's working quite well & getting the smaller stuff well
There must be great satisfaction in seeing a unit you built yourself produce like that, & to run the 1st day with no hickups says a LOT about your fabrication skills.

 

[jog]

Re: My trommel build ( FIRST REAL TEST WITH GOLD BEARING SOIL)

TAKODA
On this test run I was by myself and wasn't able to get it to the spot that I really would have liked. I found a spot that I could roll it down to a gravel bar, the bar was about 80 to 100 yards from my truck. At my claim where I am going to use it the most, I can back right up to the old tailing piles with the truck.
Sent you a PM also...

 

[Sackett]

Re: My trommel build ( FIRST REAL TEST WITH GOLD BEARING SOIL)

Great looking piece of equipment. Hope you find a "ton" of gold with it!!!