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Rock Moving Without Backaches?


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Great thanks for the info im gonna definently get a lewis. I got a brand new stihl 461 that can be direct mount and loose that little chain or I have a handful of other saws,  but I like the idea of directly mounting it. Seems like that little chain would get wore out fast. 

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461 woohoo got the big boy!

Direct mount is the way to go. Make sure you have a good sprocket on your saw, if not get one they are cheap.

Also get a good strap to tie back with, I use a cross arm strap to wrap around trees and rocks.

Funny thing about getting a Lewi winch - you make excuses to need to move large inanimate objects. LOL.

FYI- do not use a stock bumper as a anchor point! Just sayin.

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I went sluicing this weekend. The big boys were using 3,4, 5, and a necked down 6 inch dredge in Indiana. No thanks.

I was VERY careful about throwing rocks this time whilst bending over. No butt problems this time. I did discover that doing leg lifts helps

when the butt / hemorrhoid pain flares up, even just 1 leg at a time, in the evening hours away from the creek. Take it slow and easy. I like the floating tub idea for moving cobbles. It also helps to have the sluice or banker closer to the hole and NOT use a #2 shovel. Less back strain with a 2 foot long shovel and small blade.

2 cement mixing tubs with foam floats attached might work to move rocks too. 2 of them together for a stronger bottom in case 1 cracks and a tow rope handle to pull with.

 

-Tom

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Tom, have you tried one of those back braces?

Stretching and Yoga exercises might sound silly but I think limbering up before and after strenuous work is a good idea.

Finding gold is fun but overdoing it can certainly ruin the next week at work. LOL.

Did you have any luck last weekend sluicing?

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On 10/25/2017 at 4:37 PM, sjmpainter said:

461 woohoo got the big boy!

Direct mount is the way to go. Make sure you have a good sprocket on your saw, if not get one they are cheap.

Also get a good strap to tie back with, I use a cross arm strap to wrap around trees and rocks.

Funny thing about getting a Lewi winch - you make excuses to need to move large inanimate objects. LOL.

FYI- do not use a stock bumper as a anchor point! Just sayin.

I usually tend to over do things.lol. What saw would u recommend to mount to the lewis?

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I like light weight but really depends on how much weight you are moving.

Check this link out.https://www.lewiswinch.com/choosing-the-right-chainsaw

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One of my fellow miners recovered 22 grams of Indiana gold this year, mostly from the one site where I met up with him first time.

He has a photo on Facebook. should I post it here? He uses a 4 inch dredge with air and works alone .

-Tom

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  • 1 month later...

I would get an aching back when dredging with only one weight belt around my waist... I split the weight into 3... some 1/8" lead lining in my rigid boots (innersole) 1/2 the weight in a waist belt....balance in a chest dive belt harness available from a dive shop.

I also attach the hookah hose to this chest harness... works a treat and I can move rocks and cobbles for hours under water... hands and arms get a bit achy

 

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