How to Save Money When Buying dredge hoses

Expensive projects often require expensive equipment, it’s just a part of the construction field. There’s no denying that a dredging project is a major endeavor and may require some major investments in dredging equipment as a result.

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But before you rush out to buy a dredge, we want you to keep a few things in mind.

1. Consider The Company
2. Consider The Location Of Their Factory
3. What Other Equipment Do You Need?
4. Used Dredges Might Be An Option
5. Consider What You Can Afford
6. Consider A Dredging Equipment Rental Service Instead

1- Consider The Company

In recent years, there has been a proliferation of dredging equipment companies opening up in response to increased global competition. This means that there are now dozens of choices where there were only a few even five years ago.

This makes it harder to choose a dredge, as many of these companies are untested, and may not be financially stable. Make sure you purchase a dredge from a known company that has been in the industry for a while and has a proven financial record. This will keep you from getting burned on your order as you know the company won’t suddenly close.

2- Consider The Location Of Their Factory

Factories pop up in unexpected locations all over the world, but you’ll want to ensure that the location of the dredge factory is close to an airport.

This ensures that your finished dredge can be shipped quickly, and that the construction process won’t be slowed down by parts shortages.

While you might get a quality dredge from a company that is far away from an airport, you might have to pay for additional shipping and transport costs. This can quickly make even an affordable piece of dredging equipment into a costly venture.

3- What Other Equipment Do You Need?

While two companies might offer the same product at seemingly the same price, it’s important to consider what additional equipment you’ll need to properly use the dredge.

If, for example, company A sells a dredge for $50,000 without the hoses, pipes, and toolkits needed to keep the dredge equipment operational, but company B sells the same dredge with all of those things for just $10,000 more, it’s best to order from company B.

Some companies offer the additional equipment you need for your dredge for significantly more than the cost of the dredge itself.

Make sure you buy from a company that includes as many of these accessories as possible for the best price.

4- Used Dredges Might Be An Option

If you’re looking to save money, you may consider purchasing a used dredge. This, however, does not come without its share of risks. You should only purchase a used dredge from a reputable dealer.

Look for a firm that has been dealing in used dredging equipment for at least five years and can supply you with several references.

Check to ensure that all the parts are in working condition before you agree to the purchase, and if need be, have the dredge professionally inspected.

5- Consider What You Can Afford

It’s important to consider what you can realistically afford. Buying dredging equipment may imply high costs, and if you overextend your budget, you may struggle to make payments on the dredge or find yourself unable to pay for the other materials and labor needed to complete the project. Do your research and be sure you know what your budget is before purchasing.

6- Consider A Dredging Equipment Rental Service Instead

The reality is that unless you’re frequently committing to dredging projects, there’s really no need to own that equipment.

Instead, consider renting your equipment from a service like U.S. Aqua Services. This way, you don’t have to worry about maintenance or upkeep and can simply rent the right size dredge whenever you need it. It’s more cost-effective, is of lower risk to you and your firm, and comes with a host of benefits.

Contact us today to find out more about our rental services.

About U.S. Aqua Services

U.S. Aqua Services was created to support the dredging process in advancing commerce and responding to its many challenges. To accomplish this, our dredging company assembled an exceptional group of experienced individuals and a diverse inventory of dredge equipment.

We offer dredging equipment rental services so you can have access to the latest and greatest in dredging technology without having to pay to maintain it, transport, and store it, along with dewatering services.

With an emphasis on mobility, dependability, durability, diversity, efficiency, and safety, our dredging rental company can ensure that our different types of dredging systems are easy to move through any terrain and can work in the most rugged and remote environments. Our multi-function hydraulic systems are built with jetting and mechanical options that can efficiently move loose sediment or stiff layers of clay.

Let’s kick off a discussion about everyone’s experiences with dredging equipment, ranging from the Keene Supermax to the Proline 2-inch. I’m also curious to know about your encounters with the public while dredging—both the good and the not-so-good moments. Lastly, what’s something you’ve done that sets you apart from the rest on your claim?

By the way, I’m having this frustrating issue with the valves on my KAC 1 compressor. They keep breaking. Has anyone else faced this problem?

Keene hoses don’t even last a few months now,were as the older hoses back when I started dredging in would last year’s, kac also quality has gone down hill quickly, get a gast compressor and save time money and energy.

6" dredge and bigger is my pick.

We have had mostly good experiences around the country for land based and dredging with locals and landowners and general public coming down and checking out the operations. as long as you are always nice and understanding. I have had a few experiences with locals who were not happy with a screen or diggers/drill rigs next door but after a bit of chatting they are end up been ok with things. Going for resource consents brings out greenys etc and starts making things very difficult tho

KAC compressor are no good. Had nothing but problems with bearings and reed valves. Ghast compressor are like Toyotas of compressors they just keep on going

Had Keene dredges in the past, 4inch and 6 inch. Went to proline., havnt looked back
Proline = better build quality, better suction, better fuel efficiency as your not having to rev the shit out of the motor to get any suck.
Less blockages with Proline. They are guarantied not to block in the jet. Can attest to that
I like the recovery in the proline vs the Keene.
Proline dont handle the fast water as much as the Keene
Buuild quality way better on the Proline .
Proline are heavier

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To give you an idea my Proline 5 moves more material than my Keene 6 . Ive had them side by side in various ground and il burn 30% less fuel than the Keene but move 15% more material.

For my Proline 6 it will easy move almost doable what a Keene 6 can move and burn less fuel . The Proline is a true 6 inch dredge . To give you an idea the Keene 6 powerjet will fit inside a Proline 6 powerjet with room left over.

Only thing with the prolines are they are alot heavier than the Keene and the hose is alot more stiffer but last longer than the Keene Tigerflex .
Proline hoses stand up to NZ harsh UV alot better than Keene hoses.

Had a 6 inch Keene Supermax- Big dredge . But it moves less material than the comparable 6 Proline. As for the recovery the supermax definatley catches the fine gold but for the amount of fine gold recovered vs the Proline the Proline had more gold as it moved more material over the same ammount of time. I sort of felt the Supermax is a bit of a gimmicj but can see its benefit on a river with alot of fine powder gold

Other thing with Proline is the wait to get one is alot longer compared to the Keene. I think they are the victim of their own sucess. If you go onto any of the US forums Proline is always more highly regarded but you do pay a premium

I have a Keene Ultra 4inch I am pretty happy with. A lot depends on what the river is you are working, and where the golden stuff is I would say, as to what size works. Four inch is better for keeping all your fingers I would say

But Pros super portable and has taken a beating and keeps going. Frame is pretty bent (due to 5 meter accidental drop off cliff (that was a bad day) Has been upside down once in water (same bad day), honda motor is amazingly reliable and fixable!

Cons its only 4 inch so there a lot of moving rocks by hand. I reckon blocks are 90% operator error. Occasionally a weird shaped rock will block it in one place, but mainly blocks are operator caused.

I have only had bad experiences when not hidden away - worst is I sub leased permit, great access, decent testing so it showed promise, handed over my hard earned cash for a year; but day one, I was pestered by the person who owned the only property nearby at least maybe a mile and half - two miles away complaining about the noise. I mean he would have to have tried hard to hear it! But I guess sound can echo a lot.

Honestly I am a reasonable guy I tried very hard to listen, move to a further location, but he just made it his mission in life to make me so miserable. He complained to everyone he could - including the police if I recall who talked to the permit holder but even though everyone said I was in right he wouldn’t stop. The permit holder even tried to visit him and placate him but nah.

As I do it partly for peace - I moved on defeated…

Its a trade off trying to find something with good gold, reasonable access but miles away from people.

I have been dredging on and off in California and Alaska for decades and consider myself a professional. Although I enjoy this form of mining, I do not dredge for the experience and fun. I am in it to make money.

Here is some of what I learned.

1. Anything less then a 4 inch dredge is a waste of your time and money. Don’t buy one. You cannot use the yardage listed in catalog as a guide, The yardage (volume per hour) capability listed are for pea sized lose gravel and can only be used as a comparison between dredge sizes. You will not be finding any worthwhile gold in pea sized gravel. It is found in “hard pack”. How much material you can put through your dredge depends on the hard pack and your physical abilities. Some hard pack is so tightly packed that each large rock must be dislodged with a crow bar, but most I have worked has not been as difficult as that.

2. While i would consider a 4 inch dredge to the smallest size to consider, a 5 inch dredge seems to be the sweet spot for many single operators. Small enough that you can feed rocks and gravel and a continuous rate. There is no point in using a larger dredge if you can’t keep it fed with material consistently.

3. Size of a dredge also effects how deep you can dredge in material and still be effective. Generally, I would consider a 5 inch dredge to be effective up to 5 ft of material. A 6 inch dredge to 6ft and 8 inch dredge up to 8 ft of material. Why is that? Because once you start going deeper than that, the rocks you have been throwing to the rear of your hole begin to slide in to your working area and so now you need to stop feeding material into the nozzle and go to the back of your hole and throw those rocks even further or move them out with winch driven net or rock sled. Can it be worthwhile? Sure… but the gravel you are working needs to be richer in order to work profitability and should be considered.

4. Don’t buy or make an under-powered dredge, At a minimum you need 8hp for a 4 inch. 10 hp for a 5 inch and 16 hp for a 6 inch dredge. Yes… Keene sells some models that are under-powered. I would not buy the 6 inch mini from Keene. I would buy the 5 inch with the same power instead. You will be much better off.

5. I am not sure what is permitted in NZ, but I would not have two divers on anything smaller than 8 inch dredge. You have to split the gold between two people and now you have to split your take in half! Also keep in mind that a 10 inch dredge has the added danger that your head can fit into the nozzle and therefore it is inherently more dangerous,

6. The last thing to consider is your hose length. Don’t get one that is too short. You need a good length for flexibility. The length of the hose has little to do with depth of the gravel your are dredging,

Bottom line? My general recommendation for a single operator would be to get yourself of 5 inch dredge.
If you are looking at keen motors and pumps, I would use two G200X/P180 engine pump assemblies

So what am I planning to run in NZ? A sub-surface dredge with a custom made sluice box. This type of dredge has its advantages and disadvantages over a surface dredge, but that is another story,

By the way, I am looking for good claims I can work in NZ this upcoming season. Please contact me if you or someone you know is interested in selling or leasing a claim in full or in part. I might also be interested in working a claim and paying a percentage. I am presently in California but will be in NZ for the entire dredging season.

My Best,
Dale

Iv been using an old school 6 inch suitcase dredge last season. 5.5hp honda. Im on nuggety ground with hardly any fines. My 4 inch keene replica just didnt move the material to make it worhwhile. The 6 moves at least twice the ground if not more. I see and collect the majority of the gold before it goes up the spout. It has its pros and cons, definitely a beast to try to maneuver in tighter sections, but also because of the setup can get it into trickier places the pontoon setup wont go, breaks down nicely and easy to transport. Dosnt require revving the crap out of the motor. Heaps of suction. Built tough, its been through the wars and is still structurally sound. Just thought Id throw this option into the mix. Im sure some would’nt go near one, but I actually like using the old beast. Cheers

Sorry for the slow reply mate havn’t checked in to the site for a bit been a busy year. The river was well bush covered, and the house the guy lived on was like a 10 acre block but a decent distance away. The river did have a public walkway next to it. Honestly I would talk to anyone living near the permit and feel them out. You’ll get a pretty good idea if they are going to make your life miserable pretty quickly. A lot of people are anti-mining greenies while they use their EVs and cellphones which they wouldn’t have without mining sigh. But there are still some good people around. So its hit or miss. But always wroth a talk to nearby people before you commit the $ on the permit.

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