Common Questions about the Gold Cube and Gold Cube Trommel: Yardage & Pumps

These are common questions we get about the Gold Cube and Gold Cube Trommel set up.  Most people who have been prospecting for any length of time know what this set up is.  But, considering purchasing one, there are some common questions we get.  I decided to write this little blog in an attempt to help answer these questions to potential buyers.  We have been working with Gold Cube for years and get a chance to talk to Mike Pung the owner and inventor of the Gold Cube regularly.  Over the years he has provided a lot of information and advice.  So, this information is straight from the horses mouth.

How Much Material Can the Gold Cube and Trommel Process in an Hour?

The gold cube is rated at 1000 lbs or 1/2 of a yard per hour. Therefore if you only look at the material going through the gold cube that number is exactly what you need. If you are using a gold banker or a trommel, then the density of the gravel is going to be a big factor.  Most of the time at about 50/50 large rocks to small rocks, you can go through about one ton every hour in order to get your 1000 lbs through the gold cube. And then, check your large tailings for Nuggets. And if you get too many Nuggets in your tailings, you need to call me so I can come there and see what's up ;)

What Size of Pump is Needed to Operate the Gold Cube with The Trommel?

This is a very common question in addition  to whether or not you need a separate pump to operate the trommel. First, the Gold Cube Trommel does not come with a separate  You do not need a separate pump to operate the trommel, it operates off the same pump that would otherwise operate the Gold Cube.  The same water that washes the rocks provides the water for fluid action within the Gold Cube itself.  Too much water would overload the Gold Cube and flush out gold.

The standard 1100 GPH pump that comes with the Gold Cube will work fine to power both the Gold Cube Trommel and Gold Cube together as long as you do not create too much lift (i.e. you are not carrying the water too high from the source to the trommel).  If you want to raise the unit higher, the 2000 GPH pump will allow a greater lift as well as more water to wash. The 2000 will allow you to put more material through the Gold Banker as well as the Trommel. However, if you are in real fine gold, the 2000 GPH pump may be too much.