Dredging Step by Step

Although it is not very likely there are people that that are new at all this and that will need to try all of the tests we have just mentioned. If you are not sure, go ahead, it’s better to be sure of things and the great thing about testing is that they will indicate where the problem is coming from.

To summarize what we have talked about remember:

• Start the engine up.
• Prime the centrifugal pump.
• Check the high pressure hose, as well as the jet and sluice.
• If it is needed prime the jet pump.
• Adjust the speed of the engine for gravel and depth that is being worked on.

We know you feel like killing us now and you are probably thinking – “Why did we just read all the above if the five steps could be listed in just a few words?” Well, we just want to make sure you are aware of everything and know what to do in case a problem does arise.

Setting the speed of the engine is a function of the gravel that is being worked on and the distance it is being carried to the sluice, as well as the height that the engine is being used. There is not any way to safely foresee how quickly you will need to run the engine until you are actually in a dredging operation.

At this point of the process though you will probably want to experiment a little bit more in order to see what types of differences the speed will make. Keep in mind that everything will work a bit better now since we are only discussing running water and not gravel through the dredge. To make this test faster ask a partner to help you by changing the speed and show him where the stop button of the engine is as well.

It will not be long before you realize that your dredge has quite a strong suction even at slower speeds. If you want to test it more get a stone that is smaller than your suction nozzle and let the rock go into the suction tube and you will see how rapidly it goes in the sluice.

This easy test should allow you to be confident that your dredge has a good amount of suction power. Before you end the speed tests though make sure you check the sluice. When it is at full speed and with water that does not have any gravel in it the water will most likely fill the sluice. And sometimes it might even over fill the sluice.

Now reduce the speed of the engine until you are able to get the water in sluice to drop. In order to see how much reduction there is in this case, you will most likely need to slow the engine down to less then half the speed. When the water gets to a point of around two thirds of the depth of the sluice you will be at the least convenient speed you can safely utilize. Do not panic if your engine stalls or stops before you get to the two third level. All this means is that the operating range you have will be enough power to move gravel through a big range of speeds of the engine.

If you have gone along with the steps we have provided you will be quite acquainted with the way your dredge works and how it is supposed to be set up and will not have a problem getting it set up.