Thinking of getting a "back pack" dredge ,Question

RTR

RTR

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Nov 21, 2017
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Smith Mt. Lake Va.
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Angus MacKirk sluice
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All Treasure Hunting
Just a few observations from somebody that knows less than nothing.

The connecting of the nozzles (switching) where one has to go straight into the tube. Why not have a quick connect there also for ease. (Do away with hose clamp, pulling/twisting out.)
New warm hose it works, now having a piece of pipe that's cold-I have always struggled as the plastic shrinks.

Is the floatation part the actual backpack?

Besides that it looks like the system is a nice option.
 

N-Lionberger said:
I had the older design that floated on an innertube.
Click to expand...

Me too. A little more compact & easy to run without the tube set on rocks. It works just doesn't move a lot of material. No 2" will. You might also look at the Pack Rat 2 dredge. Never talked to anyone who has used one but I have seen one in person & they look like nice units.
 

Thanks guys :)
 

Vance in AK said:
Me too. A little more compact & easy to run without the tube set on rocks. It works just doesn't move a lot of material. No 2" will. You might also look at the Pack Rat 2 dredge. Never talked to anyone who has used one but I have seen one in person & they look like nice units.
Click to expand...

Can't find a pack rat web site, are they still in business ?
 

They are. The dealer in Anchorage just got some fresh ones about a month ago.
Just google
Pack Rat 2 dredge
I dont see a website but it does say they have a FB page.
I see at least one youtube video & several sites that sell them.
 

Thank you Vance :)
 

The Anchorage dealer is also a Honda dealer so they order them without a motor & supply them with a Honda WX15 motor/pump combo & the newest ones have an Angus Mckirk sluice. The dealer says they get nothing but compliments
 

RTR said:
Looking at their facebook account it looks like its 2k (with a engine.pump) and 10 pounds heavier than the Keene 2004-SNF here >> 2" Backpack Dredge with Suction Nozzle: Keene Engineering Online ???
Click to expand...

I know up here last year there was an outfit selling them up here for about $1500 with a harbor freight type. I believe Alaska Mining & diving is selling them for less that 2k with the Honda WX 15. Seems like they were closer to $1800. About $1300 with no motor/pump so you could harbor freight it for about $1500.
 

From what I understand the packrat comes with a cone type jet which may be more efficent than Keene's single eductor jet. Keene makes a good pump. 2" dredges are limited in their processing capacity and lack of air you cannot go too deep. Good for cleaning up bedrock exposures but for moving dirt a river sluice and a shovel are faster. I have been thinking about upgrading mine a little. My 4" is backpackable if you take multiple trips lol.'
 

instead of 2 inch, get a small 3", you will move alot more material than a 2. i built a 3" homemade backpackable one with pool lounge floats and a aluminum frame about 8 years ago. theres pics on here somewhere, it works good and if you carry the engine/pump assy ( i have since upgraded to a small honda clone and hayward pool pump, made by a guy on ebay), you can make it in one trip, everything else is on your back including hoses. never weighed it, but its not very heavy
 

i found some pics, they are on Post #22 in this thread . including one of it fully stowed and being carried

http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/dredging-hi-banking/503349-my-custom-mini-highbanker.html

all i can say, is its gotten alot of gold since ive built it, its running the same motor size but a converted hayward pool pump

ETA: RTR, it has also done good (when im not using my big 4" highbanker) at Contrary Creek in Mineral VA, down in your neck of the woods. it grabs the fine gold down past the waterfalls where it widens out and around that next big right bend
 

Last edited:
A sluice box and a shovel moves a lot more material than a 2"............And it's lighter to pack.

Go with a 4" and pack it in..........Embrace the suck (Pun intended)!
 

RTR said:
Been looking all around for dredge small enough for a long trip down stream on foot . Impossible to get a ATV in to the site.So the question is has anyone here operated and or owned this model ? ...Thanks
>>

>> 2" Backpack Dredge with Suction Nozzle: Keene Engineering Online
Click to expand...


I've had a couple of those and many others. Personally I would go with this -
https://www.dahlkedredge.net/product-page/micro-midget-2-5-gold-dredge
It's a 2-1/2", so it will move twice as much material, weighs 50lbs and can even be cut down a bit with shorter hoses like a 6' suction hose. Then you just need a short rope to attach it to your belt when dredging and let it float just behind you.
 

Reed Lukens said:
I've had a couple of those and many others. Personally I would go with this -
https://www.dahlkedredge.net/product-page/micro-midget-2-5-gold-dredge
It's a 2-1/2", so it will move twice as much material, weighs 50lbs and can even be cut down a bit with shorter hoses like a 6' suction hose. Then you just need a short rope to attach it to your belt when dredging and let it float just behind you.
Click to expand...

Thanks...Thats pretty cool,nice & simple.Wonder how well the sluice catches gold ?
Also looks like the sluice length could easily be extended .And folded onto itself (for transport) with something like piano hinges:)
 

Last edited:
Thanks Reed Lukens
For where I'm going, and what I'm doing, think this will be the bees-knees :)
 

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