A Folding Highbanker
using the
Le Trap Sluice



I've always wanted to test a Le Trap Sluice and
see how good it is at fine gold recovery. So here
it is in a highbanker configuration. They suggest
if you want to use it in a stream cut the head end
wall out for water to enter, it comes with the wall.



So I'm developing a new folding frame to support
it in a high banker configuration.  The sluice just
slides up and sets in place no clamps, screws, or
 attachments. Clean up is simple just lift and slide
out and rinse off in a tub or gold pan. This will be
a battery powered high banker using a Rule 2000
water pump.



This is my prototype, I have issues with the above
hopper that need fixed. I also want a easier way to
mount the spraybar,  maybe permanently mounted.
I want more screened area maybe down to 1/4 inch.
The front legs need to be longer, see the extensions?
This flattens out the sluice but it raises the hopper
 angle, so this project is still under development. I
hope to have it fine tuned and finished soon. This
 should be very easy to build, with just simple
  hand tools, nails and glue.



I finished the new hopper it's on the left,  on the
right is the old one. The new one has more grizzly to
classify the material and a drop area to collect and
guide the material.  The spraybar is now permanent
part of the hopper.  The spray bar caps and elbows
are not glued for easy clean out. Next is the testing
 of the new hopper to see how it performs
and then the sluice.



Here's the new improved model with a better
hopper and longer front legs. I ran about 30
gold flakes and pickers in some dirt through
it, now the hopper works great!



About 99% of the gold got caught in the first 5 riffles,
 this was at an angle setting of 2 inches per foot of
 sluice. Eariler at setting of 1 inch per foot it loaded
 up the sluice badly with black sands and rocks. I
ended up cutting about a inch off those front legs
to help with a steeper angle. These tests are with
the highbanker design if you intend to flop it in a
stream you may want to test for your best angles.



Here's the gold it caught and it caught it all.
I'll do more testing tomorrow with smaller gold.

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