Dredge Maintenance

Some dredgers try to keep an extra stash of different types of nuts and bolts that the dredge has. And you will probably eventually do the same with the nuts and bolts needed for the engine. Obviously after awhile you will probably realize that you will have accumulated a good amount as seems to happen to dredgers very often.

Some good things to consider taking along are things such as a little and a medium size role of somewhat flexible wire. Make sure also to take along different size pieces of chain (these can vary in length and should be from four to ten feet long), they can also have big nuts and bolts so that you will be able to attach them to your dredge.

A lot of repairs that need to be done at certain points just cannot be done on the float and sluice and they can’t be done with a normal nut, bolt and washer. There are automotive sections in most hardware stores that sell a big washer that is more properly known as fender washers. This is utilized to bolt sheet metal to other things and will in many cases be the only way repairs can be made when it comes to thin material.

Something else that you may want to consider getting is an eyebolt. The bolt part has a long thread and when using two nuts, it can be bolted onto a lot of different areas of the dredge to give anchor areas that can be permanent or that will let the cable or rope go through.

When choosing eyebolts make sure the eye part is around twice the size in diameter as the rope or cable that is going to pass through it. if you have a power drill or can get ahold of one, drill a little hole through the bottom of the bolt area around one quarter inch above the bottom. After you bolt the dredge, place a cotter in or a piece of wire through the hole as this will assure you the nut will not drop off even in cases when the eyebolt comes loose while you are working.