Need Trommel info form those that have used them

goldenIrishman · Dec 20, 2013

We are considering getting a trommel and I've been doing research into several different brands. One thing that has shocked me (maybe I've been out of it for too long or something) is the prices they're getting for them now days. (I thought they were made to recover gold, not made from it!)

As far as portable trailer mounted units go I've looked into the Javalina Reverse Helix models, the Golden Retriever from Angus McKirk, The 159 from Heckler Fabrication, and a couple of others and all seem to have both advantages and disadvantages. Some like the Javalina have much lower feed rates per hour then others. Some are belt driven instead of chain drive. Etc. Etc. Etc. I'd like to hear from those using these different brands/models and get their opinions. What would you change? What do you think of their recovery abilities? How about reliability? Most importantly, do you think it was worth the investment?

Needless to say this is going to be a major investment and we really REALLY need to make sure that we get the most bang for our buck because unlike Todd Hoffman, we don't have a TV network footing the bills for us! Though I could most likely build something on my own, I'm NOT the metal fab kind of guy like AzViper and some others on here are. We've got a very complete wood shop but that doesn't do us much good for this kind of project. I don't think a wooden trommel would be an option. It could be cool, but not practical.

GI

goldenIrishman · Dec 22, 2013

Yes it will but I've got that planned for already. I've put in a LOT of time getting things figured out on how to do all of this and NOT have it turn into "Gold Rush Arizona". As I've stated on many a thread here... Todd Hoffman is a prime example of how NOT to run an operation!!!!

itspaidfor · Mar 6, 2015

goldenIrishman said:
Yes it will but I've got that planned for already. I've put in a LOT of time getting things figured out on how to do all of this and NOT have it turn into "Gold Rush Arizona". As I've stated on many a thread here... Todd Hoffman is a prime example of how NOT to run an operation!!!!

Well I own a Goldclaimer & it is my favorite piece of equiptment!

Sucks the gold out of clay!

Reed Lukens · Mar 7, 2015

Oakview2 said:
Buy a copy of ICMJ, there is plenty of used equipment that will exceed your requirements and fit your budget

Equipment We Offer - Images hosted at BiggerBids.com

This one is 20tph and they are asking 12,000.00

AzViper said:
Jeff,

Take a strong look at the Gold Claimer. They have been at it for 30 years. My buddy who built his swears by going hydraulic as it lowers your operating cost. Ready to roll, suspension, brakes, feeders... Just remember when buying used your buying headaches as you have no clue how the equipment was maintained.

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itspaidfor said:
Well I own a Goldclaimer & it is my favorite piece of equiptment!
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Sucks the gold out of clay!

For your needs you need to stay away from the small Gold Claimer because it's just too small. We looked at them and used one for a day and it just doesn't have the capacity. We were going to buy the larger one, The Oregon Pioneer 15 that AZ shows but I found another one locally. We had done the research, done the testing, and found the Oregon Pioneer 15 with an extra long outfeed conveyor would be great. Heckler also builds to suit so call him and tell him that you want a trailer with springs, shocks and 15" wheels for off road and see what he can do. Or you can do like we did and buy or build a trailer for it. The ICMJ is a great place to look and there are other equipment auctions online as well as...

portable gold trommels by Heckler Fabrication mining equipment
Also call Yuba Industries Yuba Industries - Yuba Trommel and Vibrating Screens
http://yubaindustries.com/yuba_portable_processor.php
Oregon Pioneer 15
Gold Mining Equipment for Sale
MSI has conveyors - Gold Mining Equipment by MSI Mining

specksandflecks · Mar 7, 2015

AzViper said:
My buddy built this trommel and its comparable to the bigger Gold Claimer. As you can see lots of engineering went into this build as it is heavy duty. He sold it for $40K and he's working an area near where you plan I think. I know he has his own drilling rig so he may have drilled his own well or he uses the drilling rig to test samples. He's currently building a new trommel...

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That's probably a pretty good lead, since they have worked similar ground. Sounds like you know what the site logistics require. Do you know what the ground requirements are? How big of oversize for example?

itspaidfor · Mar 7, 2015

Lots of different ways, if you want to increase production use a belt feeder. You can also use two goldclaimers a divider & a belt feeder. The dewatering screw & oscillating sluice is the way to go. You will however have some fine gold in the sand screw clean out drain at the end of the day.

jog · Mar 7, 2015

For the amount of money that you have to work with my suggestion would be to buy a cheaper used one that will run the amount of material that you are wanting to run and then do some upgrades on the machine, this way you can set it up the way you like such as the sluice and riffle design or the power plant and drive system. Throw away cheaply versus good quality Honda engine or belt drive versus chain drive. As long as the metal components are not worn out and you could get it fairly cheap you could set it up the way you want it and for the type of material your running. Just my two cents worth.

diverrick · Mar 7, 2015

I have been looking at buying the Heckler trommel. He makes really nice stuff and looks to be well built. He will build it any way you want if you call and tell him. He can do a trailer version I am sure. I'd go with him. Some of those mentioned above seem mighty high to load into. I would think keeping things down low would be much better.

AzViper · Mar 7, 2015

Here's a friends trommel he built from scratch. Totally heavy duty and powered by a 3 phase gen. He has built a new trommel run by all hydraulic motors power from a small diesel motor/pump. This trommel has a vibrating hopper. The last photo shows all the sprayers within the hopper along the sides and top.