Starting the new year! Options

[Caveman]

If the weather holds, I will be out running a 2" suction dredge on Friday. I have had problems with clogs just past the bend of the nozzle every time I have tried it, and I am asking for advice to try and reduce the incidense of this, and to reduce the time it takes to clear the problem. Thin, flatter rocks (great skippers!) are the ones that get me most, and get jammed in there pretty good. I usually have to remove the hose to get them cleared. The area I'm working has tons of sandy materal, and the largest rocks are about half the size of cinder blocks, so there are lots 2" and smaller rocks to deal with, but it's a great place to learn how to run things with good, clean fines. I was there scouting on Monday and found what looks to be a decent pocket. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!
Caveman

[Caveman]

Did pretty well keeping the hose straight, some mild bends were all. No hose jams at all this time out. Only i moderate nozzle jam that took about 20 seconds to clear. I had cut a fairly lengthy thick green stick earlier and kept it handy. As soon as I heard the rattle, I ram-rodded the nozzle, and voila! the rattle stopped and down the hose the rock went. The two finger method also worked very well preventing those pesky "skippers" from finding their way in. The major work was moving the larger rocks back out of the way. I raked them with clawed fingers back between my legs, back filling the trench I was leaving behind me. I averaged about 2 feet down by 2 1/2 feet wide - I worked about 4' of existing trench, wich was 6" below water level, then extended it about another 2 to 3', where the bed was 1" above water level. Steady, no breaks except for 1 fuel-up (started with a half tank) for a little over 2 hours - after I got the throttle adjusted.

Most of the clogs I had were a sand filled nozzle that cleared when I inverted the nozzle. I knew this was because I had too much hose, but I left my cutting tools at home. I think 18' to 20 feet will work just fine - the Keene site sells set-ups with 18' of suction hose - so I will shorten mine by 10 - 12'. I am going to keep the 30' pressure hose - it's working just fine, plus the moter is upstream and uphill most of the time I get set up - I don't want my intake downstream of where I'm working!

The advice from you guys was stellar! I wouldn't have been able to do anywhere near what I did with out it. The blaster method worked great when I got to the end of the trench, and left me nice piles of finer material to suction away from the larger rock. Kept me working steady so I didn't get cold either!. Froze when I went to clean up though! Darn wind. Fleece and jacket did't help either. Glad the truck was close!

I had fun, and was dredging for about 2 1/2 hours. Add another 2 hours for carry in and out, set-up and break-down and changing into the wetsuit. It's a full skin, not a farmer john. I also spent some time "exploring". Found a few other nice possiblities for later.

That's about all for now - I will post the results of the day later on in the week, when I get around to panning it out.

Caveman