The SNORKEL hose gets clean air for the internal turbine blower from about 6' high above the usual dusty zone of a dry washer. A high frequency vibrator under the hopper gives a linear motion for smooth riffle tray operation. The hopper has a 1/4" punch plate so that no coarse rock is processed in this fine gold recovery unit. An efficient and quiet operation is achieved by connecting to a 12V battery. It only uses 85W (12V x ~7A) so the hours of running depends upon your battery amp hours. A battery clip wire is supplied. Obviously it can also be connected to a generator through a 12V 10A converter (accessory) for unlimited hours. The hose and adapters fold down to about 1/3 for travel. The rod supporting the hose stands in a socket.
Four of these were actually developed and used in extensive field testing near Stanton AZ in Fall of '21. They outperformed my Keene 151S, so I sold it! The SNORKEL runs from a few gallons up to about 2 yd per hr. It's really light weight (40 lb) so easy to move around. If you worry about missing a larger nugget, just check the oversize pile with a metal detector; even I can find a 1/4+" sized nugget!
Production is limited due to supply issues. Newest models have a sealed switch and a removable screen.
Looking for a solution to the "Black Sand" problem when mining dry placer gold? You have come to the right place! The MAG-ZIP rapidly separates magnetite from a continuous flow of dry placer gold concentrates, FIRST, before doing anything else!
It lightens the load by 30-50% in just a few minutes! The volume for the next step is smaller and lighter. The new MAG-ZIP technology saves enormous amounts of time and cleaning up concentrates has never been easier.
NOTE: While the MAG-ZIP can be set for running -8 mesh sand, we find that all "bird nesting" by twigs/leaves is prevented by screening to -12 mesh which runs fast, smooth, and more selectively. Besides, the vast majority of detrital magnetite has already been ground by nature to be below 12 mesh. Even the common lead bird shot is removed by the 12 mesh screen. So all units now run -12 mesh material.
The MAG-ZIP now (2020) uses weak magnets which are much more selective than strong magnets. The separated magnetite can be re-run to check for any stray particles, and re-runs are even faster! Two passes removes 90+% of the magnetite, and two quick re-runs makes sure it is pure magnetite. All four runs process 1 gal in 6 minutes, or less!
The Vibra-Bucket assists the otherwise tedious screening of fine mesh sands; it makes this task easier! It has a 30W industrial vibrator mounted inside a 5 gal heavy duty steel pail with a further reinforcing bottom board. A special flat rimmed (short) 3.5 gal plastic bucket fits above the motor to hold the screen and catch the sand. The flat rim gets the vibration transferred from the metal pail. Sections of rubber tape inside the steel pail rim provide a snug fit with air gaps, so that there will never be a "stuck bucket" due to a vacuum seal. The base plate keeps the pail bottom flat by preventing the rim from digging into the ground and dampening the vibration.
When tested with a 8 lb (1/2 gal) 3/1 mix of -12M/+12M actual placer sand it delivers 97% and 99% in 1 and 2 minutes at full vibration. The speed controller provides turning down the force to MEDIUM range where it will screen about twice as fast as the test above. In this way, the sand stays closer to the screen which allows more particles to find the holes. Full force is needed at first to help stir a heavier load at start, but more shallow batches are recommended. Stirring the sand in the screen does assist the time when a lot (too much) of sand is placed on the screen.
The last video shows how a gallon of waste magnetite was re-screened to -12M and it goes through in about 15 seconds and the added weight dampens the sound !
The vibration motor is 115V AC. An inverter is available as an option to work with 12V DC in the field. To keep it from "walking" away during each run, simply tie a cord to the handle and to a support. (CAUTION: Do not hold with hands or feet; High Vibration Hazard!)
The Tilt-a-Bucket handle/ring slips over the lower end of a 5 gal bucket and slides up a couple -inches for a snug fit. The bucket may now be lifted by two points, the bail and the lower handle. It provides a way to handle the weight of a full bucket and simultaneously have complete control to tilt and pour contents. It is manufactured with all aluminum parts to not add any appreciable weight to the assembly. The handle is configured with a large enough opening against the bucket side that even a large hand with a glove may fit around the handle. It is easily removed and transferred from one bucket to another. The unique design of the bent edges of the handle provides strength and smooth edges for handling.
This item will help you get a handle on your bucket list!